Garnish: choose the right flooring for your design American - hard floor is wanted for open-plan living areas with good reason - it adds a feeling of space and is a wink clean. The flooring you choose for your kitchen, living room and dining room will be a choice you have to live with for many years to come, however, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option before attach to a decision, and look outside the square. You may be able to save a lot of money by going for a coating alternative soil that gives you the look and attributes that you are after - just be sure to weigh the negatives. We have done some of your homework for you to discover the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular choices of hard floor coverings available.
Daleet Spector Design
polished concrete
Although the polished concrete is surging in popularity as a last option of flooring, some people will not consider for their home because the thought walking barefoot on the cold concrete icy- turn off. In fact, the opposite is true.
"People think it's going to be cold and sterile, but they are shocked to discover that it is the opposite," said the architect Dominic Bagnato. "It is a warm material that is resistant to wear and does not show dirt; they like that about it. '
The polished concrete has thermal properties that make it ideal for the owner of eco-conscious (or whoever wants to save money on heating and cooling bills). Its thermal qualities mean that absorbs heat during the day and releases the night when the outside temperature drops and you would normally turn on the heat. During summer days, it keeps your house cool because it takes longer to heat up than other flooring options.
Although the polished concrete is surging in popularity as a last option of flooring, some people will not consider for their home because the thought walking barefoot on the cold concrete icy- turn off. In fact, the opposite is true.
"People think it's going to be cold and sterile, but they are shocked to discover that it is the opposite," said the architect Dominic Bagnato. "It is a warm material that is resistant to wear and does not show dirt; they like that about it. '
The polished concrete has thermal properties that make it ideal for the owner of eco-conscious (or whoever wants to save money on heating and cooling bills). Its thermal qualities mean that absorbs heat during the day and releases the night when the outside temperature drops and you would normally turn on the heat. During summer days, it keeps your house cool because it takes longer to heat up than other flooring options.
Polished concrete comes in all kinds of colors and you can choose the size of the aggregate which is mixed in -. you can see all this polished concrete while in the background, the whole is very well developed soil seems fairly uniform in color
If you are really passionate, you can take memories in it, such as coins and keys - do when installers have floated in concrete and are almost finished, so they do not fall to the bottom.
A concrete grinder will make a superficial version before it is completely fixed (it takes 28 days to harden at maximum force), and will then be polished with your chosen sealant. You can choose a matte or glossy finish. Plus it's polished brighter, it becomes
TIP: Choose wisely when it comes to color - the color can not be easily changed after the fact, unless you grind the concrete back and pay new tile ..
Discover the secrets of polished concrete
If you are really passionate, you can take memories in it, such as coins and keys - do when installers have floated in concrete and are almost finished, so they do not fall to the bottom.
A concrete grinder will make a superficial version before it is completely fixed (it takes 28 days to harden at maximum force), and will then be polished with your chosen sealant. You can choose a matte or glossy finish. Plus it's polished brighter, it becomes
TIP: Choose wisely when it comes to color - the color can not be easily changed after the fact, unless you grind the concrete back and pay new tile ..
Discover the secrets of polished concrete
Indyk Architects
PROS: Hard wearing, thermal and appropriate a range of contemporary industrial styles
CONS :. Is it likely to crack in time -Compagnies cracks are inevitable as the changes in the earth under the house. Another challenge with this material is that if the polyurethane coating on the above is applied until the slab has hardened, it can take off. Remove glass or ceramic on a concrete floor and guess what? It will break.
CONS :. Is it likely to crack in time -Compagnies cracks are inevitable as the changes in the earth under the house. Another challenge with this material is that if the polyurethane coating on the above is applied until the slab has hardened, it can take off. Remove glass or ceramic on a concrete floor and guess what? It will break.
Kitchens Peter Gill
timber floor
The appeal of wood floors is impossible to deny. Whether laid in a herringbone pattern like this, or just in a row, wood floors have a warm glow that can make a more spacious and welcoming home. While hardwood floors are expensive, they can also be relied upon to last. They can withstand multiple sanding and staining before starting to deteriorate - in about 100 years!
Attention: Do not Sand your wood floors too many times if you want them to last. My house was built in 1890 and original wood floors can be sanded back because they had too many sanding. The wood starts to crack and separate at the seams - literally - following. All I can do is keep them fed oil to wood, but the boards will one day be replaced.
See 10 ways to work parquet
The appeal of wood floors is impossible to deny. Whether laid in a herringbone pattern like this, or just in a row, wood floors have a warm glow that can make a more spacious and welcoming home. While hardwood floors are expensive, they can also be relied upon to last. They can withstand multiple sanding and staining before starting to deteriorate - in about 100 years!
Attention: Do not Sand your wood floors too many times if you want them to last. My house was built in 1890 and original wood floors can be sanded back because they had too many sanding. The wood starts to crack and separate at the seams - literally - following. All I can do is keep them fed oil to wood, but the boards will one day be replaced.
See 10 ways to work parquet
Art of Kitchens Pty Ltd
wood can be stained in the color you like and there are various species and widths from which to choose.
"Traditionally, you used to buy boards, stain and varnish them," says Dominic. Now you can buy pre-finished, pre-stained floating wooden boards already polished and ready to go.
dark eucalyptus is a choice of popular hardwood floors, although more expensive than other commonly used - and beautiful - floor :. Tasmanian oak and Victorian ash
Dominic advises to check the rating of a wood hardness before settling on a floor species. Dark eucalyptus is one of the most difficult, but take care of other species
"You may like the Baltic pine, but it is a soft wood - any brand, 'said .. Dominic high-heeled shoes and dog claws can strike quickly and parquet sweet tooth.
wood color plates in 'Wenge'
"Traditionally, you used to buy boards, stain and varnish them," says Dominic. Now you can buy pre-finished, pre-stained floating wooden boards already polished and ready to go.
dark eucalyptus is a choice of popular hardwood floors, although more expensive than other commonly used - and beautiful - floor :. Tasmanian oak and Victorian ash
Dominic advises to check the rating of a wood hardness before settling on a floor species. Dark eucalyptus is one of the most difficult, but take care of other species
"You may like the Baltic pine, but it is a soft wood - any brand, 'said .. Dominic high-heeled shoes and dog claws can strike quickly and parquet sweet tooth.
wood color plates in 'Wenge'
Canny design
PROS: This material is warm and welcoming and can be restored to former glory by sanding every six or seven years. It should also be many home styles
CONS :. Softer frame can dent and scratch, and can be noisy for anyone receiving the ground below. This material usually requires rugs and runners for 'warm a house and absorb sound. It can crack, gap or cup. It must be installed on joists or basements, rather than directly on the concrete slab.
CONS :. Softer frame can dent and scratch, and can be noisy for anyone receiving the ground below. This material usually requires rugs and runners for 'warm a house and absorb sound. It can crack, gap or cup. It must be installed on joists or basements, rather than directly on the concrete slab.
Destination Living
wood floor engineering
engineered wood flooring are a less expensive option than regular boards that can look just as beautiful, , but only the top layer is made of wood. The remaining width is a known load as substrate.
architect Christopher said Megowan engineered wood using American and European oaks are increasingly popular, and have come a long way in recent years
"There was a stigma on veneers -. They had cheap air - but those days are over; Now thicker veneers are very good. "
The top layer of wood can be 2, 4 or 6 mm thick. If it is your own home, Christopher highly recommend going to 6mm option. The cost is exponentially higher; it is money well spent, "he said.
The real advantage of a layer of 6mm is that you can do three sanding, which means your floor will look great for about 30 years. A layer of 2mm can not take generally not at all sanding. Unless you buy an investment property with the intention to do to cheaply and quickly returning, Christopher said a thickness of 6 mm is recommended otherwise.
Engineered wood is more stable than hard wood, which expands and contracts with temperature and humidity levels, but only when the substrate is multilayer sheet or similar. If you buy the layered engineered wood on Solid pine, your floors will face the same challenges with solid wood - they can crack, cup and space
TIP: Although floating floor available, Dominic prefers floor that are stuck. and grounded. Floating floor sitting on a rubber underlay and are simply installed by clicking the planks together - .. They may feel unusually bouncy walk
engineered oak flooring Georgia 'Woodcut
engineered wood flooring are a less expensive option than regular boards that can look just as beautiful, , but only the top layer is made of wood. The remaining width is a known load as substrate.
architect Christopher said Megowan engineered wood using American and European oaks are increasingly popular, and have come a long way in recent years
"There was a stigma on veneers -. They had cheap air - but those days are over; Now thicker veneers are very good. "
The top layer of wood can be 2, 4 or 6 mm thick. If it is your own home, Christopher highly recommend going to 6mm option. The cost is exponentially higher; it is money well spent, "he said.
The real advantage of a layer of 6mm is that you can do three sanding, which means your floor will look great for about 30 years. A layer of 2mm can not take generally not at all sanding. Unless you buy an investment property with the intention to do to cheaply and quickly returning, Christopher said a thickness of 6 mm is recommended otherwise.
Engineered wood is more stable than hard wood, which expands and contracts with temperature and humidity levels, but only when the substrate is multilayer sheet or similar. If you buy the layered engineered wood on Solid pine, your floors will face the same challenges with solid wood - they can crack, cup and space
TIP: Although floating floor available, Dominic prefers floor that are stuck. and grounded. Floating floor sitting on a rubber underlay and are simply installed by clicking the planks together - .. They may feel unusually bouncy walk
engineered oak flooring Georgia 'Woodcut
Mafi Australia
PROS: engineered wood looks like hardwood but is less expensive and faster to install - comes prefinished. It is considered more environmentally friendly, too - only a thin layer of slow-growing hardwood is used and the substrate uses cash to grow faster. It is also
more stable than solid wood
CONS :. The number of sanding can tolerate depends on the plating thickness.
Oak floors, Mafi.
more stable than solid wood
CONS :. The number of sanding can tolerate depends on the plating thickness.
Oak floors, Mafi.
Christopher Megowan Design
bamboo
Christopher said bamboo is generally chosen for three reasons: its eco-credentials, his good looks and the cost.
"It is a renewable energy growing fast, so it has a sustainable aspect to it," Christopher said. While wood can last 20-120 years to mature enough to be used for flooring, bamboo takes only four to six, and is actually a type of grass.
Bamboo comes from a variety of sources, however, and some are more environmentally friendly than others. Christopher recommends getting it from a verified source and check its certification.
TIP: When choosing the finish of your bamboo flooring, opt for brighter mat. "High gloss finishes show dirt and scratches; matte is more convenient; it hides any inconsistencies
PROS: certified bamboo is environmentally friendly - it is rapidly biodegradable - and insect resistant .. It comes in a wide range of colors and is easy to install, because it comes pre-finished
CONS :. Bamboo flooring can scratch and can not be sanded back and refinished like wood can. It is durable, but check quality - some bamboo flooring is much more resistant than others. Color can also disappear over time.
TIP :. Engineered bamboo is more durable than bamboo strand, and is more resistant to moisture
Christopher said bamboo is generally chosen for three reasons: its eco-credentials, his good looks and the cost.
"It is a renewable energy growing fast, so it has a sustainable aspect to it," Christopher said. While wood can last 20-120 years to mature enough to be used for flooring, bamboo takes only four to six, and is actually a type of grass.
Bamboo comes from a variety of sources, however, and some are more environmentally friendly than others. Christopher recommends getting it from a verified source and check its certification.
TIP: When choosing the finish of your bamboo flooring, opt for brighter mat. "High gloss finishes show dirt and scratches; matte is more convenient; it hides any inconsistencies
PROS: certified bamboo is environmentally friendly - it is rapidly biodegradable - and insect resistant .. It comes in a wide range of colors and is easy to install, because it comes pre-finished
CONS :. Bamboo flooring can scratch and can not be sanded back and refinished like wood can. It is durable, but check quality - some bamboo flooring is much more resistant than others. Color can also disappear over time.
TIP :. Engineered bamboo is more durable than bamboo strand, and is more resistant to moisture
Bagnato Architects
travertine
tiles travertine is requested more than any other flooring in Dominic projects takes, and is often carried out through the open room / dining room / kitchen in outdoor spaces and even the garage.
"You do not want to have too much material or it becomes a mishmash of everything," he said.
Unlike marble, which is soft and scratches easily, travertine is natural stone which is hard enough to resist wear. Honed travertine is usually sanded and used in the interiors, while the more textured travertine 'tumbled' is used on the outside to prevent slips and conceal dirt.
PROS: travertine is highly resistant to wear and can accommodate underfloor heating. It is cool underfoot in summer and easy to clean - no sauce is needed. It is suitable for most decorating styles
CONS: This material must be properly sealed to prevent stains - a costly exercise - and is unforgiving if you drop something .. Not heated, it can be unpleasantly cold in winter.
tiles travertine is requested more than any other flooring in Dominic projects takes, and is often carried out through the open room / dining room / kitchen in outdoor spaces and even the garage.
"You do not want to have too much material or it becomes a mishmash of everything," he said.
Unlike marble, which is soft and scratches easily, travertine is natural stone which is hard enough to resist wear. Honed travertine is usually sanded and used in the interiors, while the more textured travertine 'tumbled' is used on the outside to prevent slips and conceal dirt.
PROS: travertine is highly resistant to wear and can accommodate underfloor heating. It is cool underfoot in summer and easy to clean - no sauce is needed. It is suitable for most decorating styles
CONS: This material must be properly sealed to prevent stains - a costly exercise - and is unforgiving if you drop something .. Not heated, it can be unpleasantly cold in winter.
SpaceStudio
travertine tiles in the house blur the boundaries between inside and outside.
Building Capital
float
float attracts more attention than ever, not just those who have a tight budget. Just as it does for your kitchen cabinets and work for the laminate flooring comes in a range of finishes and is considerably less expensive than wood floor. Water resistant and durable laminate flooring can cop a beating from high heels, animals, unruly children and heavy furniture without showing a mark or dent.
PROS: Laminate is inexpensive and durable, and is available in a range of colors and finishes to match your decor. You can even make it match your kitchen cabinets for a uniform look
CONS :. It will not add value to your home as floor can. This material does not take heat, so can be cold feet. It is not as durable as stone or wood.
Mammut laminate flooring, Oak Capital 'Kronotex.
float attracts more attention than ever, not just those who have a tight budget. Just as it does for your kitchen cabinets and work for the laminate flooring comes in a range of finishes and is considerably less expensive than wood floor. Water resistant and durable laminate flooring can cop a beating from high heels, animals, unruly children and heavy furniture without showing a mark or dent.
PROS: Laminate is inexpensive and durable, and is available in a range of colors and finishes to match your decor. You can even make it match your kitchen cabinets for a uniform look
CONS :. It will not add value to your home as floor can. This material does not take heat, so can be cold feet. It is not as durable as stone or wood.
Mammut laminate flooring, Oak Capital 'Kronotex.
Innovation Design And Construction Inc.
Lino
Linoleum floors have been used since the mid-19th century, but were at their peak in the 1950s Though they were prevented for a time since then, money-conscious owners adopt this material resistant floor wear again -. A feat easier now that he's losing his reputation and cheap-ugly
'I think it is a beautiful material, "says Dominic. "The color is uniform, it does not chip or stain, they even linoleum that looks like wood and I swear to you that you do not know; photography is so accurate that you would really need to get on your hands and knees to make a difference.
Some lino designed to look like wood or stone also has a textured surface to imitate the real thing.
Linoleum floors have been used since the mid-19th century, but were at their peak in the 1950s Though they were prevented for a time since then, money-conscious owners adopt this material resistant floor wear again -. A feat easier now that he's losing his reputation and cheap-ugly
'I think it is a beautiful material, "says Dominic. "The color is uniform, it does not chip or stain, they even linoleum that looks like wood and I swear to you that you do not know; photography is so accurate that you would really need to get on your hands and knees to make a difference.
Some lino designed to look like wood or stone also has a textured surface to imitate the real thing.
All shutters and blinds (Brisbane)
PROS: Lino is easy to install and inexpensive. Another great advantage is that it is environmentally friendly (it is made of renewable materials such as linseed oil, pine rosin, dust the ground and cork flour wood ), and easy to clean.
CONS: This material must be well maintained to keep looking good; dirt can accumulate quickly. It will not add value to your home. Sharp objects can cause tears, and it is a soft surface, impressionable so expect furniture to bumps.
Tell us ...
Which floor do you have in your house? Tell us about your good and bad flooring experiences in the comments.
CONS: This material must be well maintained to keep looking good; dirt can accumulate quickly. It will not add value to your home. Sharp objects can cause tears, and it is a soft surface, impressionable so expect furniture to bumps.
Tell us ...
Which floor do you have in your house? Tell us about your good and bad flooring experiences in the comments.