Flooring options for your new home – Part 2
Today’s flooring comes in a variety of colors, textures, and styles that will help create a unique and sophisticated design for any room.
Flooring options for your new home – Part 2: Laminate Flooring
As a Floridian, water is a part of our lives. Therefore, it is important to note laminate is dubbed water-resistant; not waterproof.
Since it is not waterproof, if you leave any water or liquid on the floor for even a few minutes, your laminate can become susceptible to warping.
However, we have some good news. In recent years, floor manufacturers listened to feedback and developed waterproof laminate designed to “waterproof” from the top down.
This flooring option has always been popular because of its affordability, durability, variety of styles, easy installation, and maintenance. And now, with the added waterproof benefit, it is rising in popularity.
Hybrid Floors
Hybrid floors are highly durable, stylish, and affordable. This innovative flooring marries vinyl and laminate floors to create an incredible floating floor.
Similar to laminate, hybrid floors are made of multiple layers of materials (particle board) pressed together. The difference is hybrid floors are 100% waterproof. They come in a wide range of designs and styles and are suitable for all areas of the house.
Flooring options for your new home – Part 2: Slip-Resistant Floors
This option for flooring accounts for humidity and active households where moisture from pools or the ocean (or in our case, the Gulf of Mexico) are frequent slip hazards. Consider slip resistant floors or coatings for rooms such as laundry, mudrooms, and bathrooms.
Options which are highly slip-resistant include linoleum and vinyl. Cork and rubber mats are additional options, with a variety of styles that are moderately water-resistant.
Impact of humidity
High humidity can cause flooring materials to expand and contract, which may lead to gaps where the flooring joins together. Floors can also warp, buckle, crown, cup, or discolor in high humidity.
And if you don’t have the proper underlayment beneath your floor, the subfloor can also become compromised. Mold and mildew growth on and beneath the flooring can also become a problem if your home humidity is too high.
No matter your choice, opting for high-quality flooring, installing an appropriate underlayment, and using the right tools and materials will help ensure your floor will look and perform great for years to come.
Contact Richardson Homes
As you consider flooring options to match your lifestyle and aesthetics, contact us for advice before getting started.
You can count on us to guide you through the selection and installation of your renovation project or new custom home. Call Jason, 239 694 8889.
