Interior Flooring Material
The type of flooring materials used in a space greatly impact the room’s overall aesthetic. Natural floors will denote a feeling or concept very different from colorful mosaic tile flooring. By differentiating between the various flooring materials, the right choice can be made when it comes to designing your space.
Bamboo Flooring: This highly-sustainable, quickly regenerated flooring material is becoming a more common floor choice. The eco-friendly nature of bamboo makes it suitable to be approved by LEED for use in green building. Bamboo is very durable, ideal for high traffic areas. It is denser and stronger than hardwood and able to withstand moisture. Bamboo flooring can be light or a dark amber color, depending on the type of finish. This flooring material is easily maintained, beautiful and does not deplete the disparaged forests.
Cork Flooring: Similar to bamboo, cork is a flooring material which is also highly renewable and regenerative. Harvested from the bark of the Cork Oak tree, this flooring material is eco-friendly. Its natural appearance is simple and attractive. Other advantages of cork flooring include its hypoallergenic nature, ability to absorb shock and sound, thermal insulation abilities and durability.
Reclaimed Lumber Flooring: As far as environmentally sound attributes, reclaimed lumber has many of them. Collected from old barns, factories and warehouses, reclaimed lumber encourages recycling of old wood to make new flooring materials. For those who desire an antiqued look from their flooring, reclaimed lumber features this aged appearance. The natural patina that wood collects over time gives reclaimed lumber its aged-look and feel.
Linoleum Flooring: Though this flooring material had a large presence in the 20th century, its popularity waned in recent years. However, there is a resurgence of linoleum’s use as a flooring material due to its eco-friendly nature and reduced environmental impact. This natural-ingredient composed flooring material is tough, durable and easily cleaned – ideal for high-traffic areas. Pigments can be added to the composition of linseed oil and wood flour or cork dust to provide many different hues for a design scheme.
Carpet Flooring: Carpet is one of the most cost-effective flooring materials and is popular for its high durability. Carpet is very easy to maintain and is typically made from woven wool, cotton or other synthetics. Of recent, organic wool has been used to make carpeting because of the focus on eco-friendly materials. Carpet also has insulative properties which save energy, and the flooring material is shock and sound absorbent and has an anti-skid surface. Carpet is ideal for high-traffic areas.
Mosaic Flooring: Using tile to arrange patterns and designs, mosaic flooring is an attractive, eye-catching flooring option. By gluing and/or grouting small pieces of colored glass, stone or other materials, a mosaic floor can be created. Though this option for flooring is versatile and colorful, mosaic designs are not ideal for high-traffic areas.
Tile Flooring: One of the most common flooring materials, tile is highly versatile and durable. Ceramic tile has many looks and is easily maintained. Porcelain tile is impermeable, hygienic and cost-efficient. Both tile types work well with design schemes and in high-traffic areas. The different colors and sizes of tile make it ideal for flooring, as well as its durability and functionality.
Marble Flooring: Though it is not ideal flooring material for large surface areas, marble is one of the most beautiful flooring options available. The combination of calcite and carbonate make is easily susceptible to scratches and stains. Also, marble is not the most fiscally responsible flooring material choice as it is very expensive. Its high polish and natural elegance are what make marble so appealing as a flooring material.
Terrazzo Flooring: Similar to marble, terrazzo is beautiful, but comes at a high-cost. However, unlike marble, terrazzo is highly durable and resilient. Terrazzo is composed of bits of marble, granite, quartz and glass chips. This flooring material holds finish well, so it is ideal for walkways and patios. There is a wide array of colors of the impermeable terrazzo.
