Did you know that 2020 was the year for home improvement? One in five homeowners did renovations on their property. If you want to spruce up the home, do you know the quickest way to do it on a budget?
That is, by changing your flooring, and when you do, it stands to reason you want something easy to maintain. Read on as we give our seven easy clean flooring solutions.
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Vinyl
Vinyl is a fairly new addition to the world of flooring. An artificial, man-made product in the same vein as plastic, it is highly durable. It can withstand heavy footfall, scuffs and is also tough to stain as it has a non-porous surface.
The material is also easy to lay. Provided in rolls, it can be laid like a carpet. After this, you can either leave it where it is or hold it in place with adhesives.
When laying a larger room, it helps to create a template from large sheets of paper. The material can then be cut to shape with a craft knife if you have edges and curved angles. Cleaning your luxury vinyl flooring can be done with commercial vinyl solutions and water.
Hardwood
No flooring has stood the test of time as much as hardwood. It has been in homes for hundreds of years. However, it fell out of favor in modern homes because of its ability to hold in moisture, making it impossible for use in a bathroom and for a kitchen floor.
Polyurethane coatings and sealants have solved that and given hardwood a resurgence. They no longer take in moisture, causing warping and swelling. As such, you can get a great wood floor look without maintenance issues.
Having hardwood flooring gives a soft spring under the foot. It looks fantastic if you are selling the home, and the right wood can make a room look light and airy.
The downsides are that it can degrade over time, and become pitted, scratched, and pockmarked. However, it can also be sanded and refinished, giving it a new lease of life.
Linoleum
Linoleum is a throwback to the sixties when this wonder material was in every kitchen and bathroom. It faded from popularity but has made a huge comeback, due to its low environmental impact and hardy properties.
Made from linseed oil, it is renewable and biodegradable. Its manufacture also has virtually no environmental impact, making it a draw for many homeowners. You can even recycle old linoleum to make biofuel when you decide to replace it.
Previously, linoleum had a tendency to curl in moist and humid conditions. However, this has now been eliminated due to modern manufacturing methods. It is stain-resistant and easy to clean.
Stone
Natural stone covers a variety of materials and types, from granite to limestone and marble. Each of them will have slightly different properties and very different looks. However, they all have a number of factors in common.
Good choices for flooring are granite and slate, because of their hardwearing properties. Granite is very attractive because of its patterns. It comes in slabs and if maintained, can last indefinitely.
Slate is also extremely durable, lasting a long time when sealed and kept well. It is commonly used on roofing because of its ability to direct water.
Both of these materials can be found in a range of colors. They bring a natural look to the home and if you choose a stone that is indigenous to the local area, you can tie the home into its environs.
Concrete
Concrete is a no-nonsense solution to flooring. Used extensively in building, concrete is strong, cheap, and lasts for a lifetime. It is so good, it is the foundation for homes across the world.
Weight is concrete’s only problem. Laying it in a home needs doing at ground level, and you can’t have a basement underneath.
You may already have concrete under your existing flooring. All you need to do is get it polished, treated, and sealed for an easy-to-clean floor. After this, cleaning is a simple sweep and a damp mop.
The downside is that concrete can look somewhat utilitarian. It works best in modern, minimalist homes.
Concrete is perhaps one of the most common material at home. When dealing with repair, concrete grinder will be one of the tools to use in cutting slabs to prevent further damage. But, there are also heavy machinery for bigger concrete repair and cutting needs.
Ceramics
Ceramic flooring often comes in tiles, that are made from hardened clay. The clay is first shaped, then glazed, and fired under heat. This gives it a tough finish that does not absorb water or stains.
As it has already been fired, it is almost impervious to heat. Therefore, it is useful under certain appliances.
One of its most striking features is the range of decorative tiles available. You can find them in numerous colors and patterns. This allows you to add a splash of brightness and individuality to your home.
The drawbacks are that it can be very cold and hard to walk on. However, it can be cleaned with just a sweep and a damp mopping.
Laminate Planks
Laminate planks have the appearance of wood flooring but are much easier to lay. They can be purchased in packs and have a tongue-and-groove edge. You can just lay them and snap them together like a jigsaw.
A roll of foam underneath will add cushion, so they are soft underfoot. The laminate surface is also easy to clean with a brush and light mop.
It is a good idea to leave them in a room for 48 hours before laying, as they can expand. This is the only downside to laminate. Although it is durable and porous, if large water does pool or temperature changes, it may be susceptible to warping.
Flooring Solutions
Each of these flooring solutions has a number of variations. Speak with an expert and discuss your property and conditions. They may have even more ideas to help you out.
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