Every aspect of your condo is essential. Creating a space you love involves choosing the right ceiling, incorporating decor that adds character to the room and installing the right type of flooring. There was a time when people didn’t pay much attention to flooring, but today, that has changed.
The type of flooring you install can make all the difference in how your condo looks and feels. It can also boost the value of your condo.What is the best flooring for a condo? To understand what the best fit for your condo is, let’s look at some of the popular condo flooring options:
1. Hardwood
Hardwood is one of the most beloved types of flooring for condo or apartment floors because it provides a stunning finish and gives the room unique character. Some of the most used types of wood for hardwood flooring are hickory, oak, walnut and maple. Hardwood floors are extremely durable and can be cleaned with ease. Given its popularity, you can be sure that having hardwood flooring will increase the value of your condo should you decide to sell.
While hardwood flooring comes with many advantages, one thing to keep in mind is that it’s not a good option if you would like to soundproof your condo. It is also expensive, so many homeowners install hardwood flooring in select areas of the condo, like the living room or bedrooms. We don’t recommend installing hardwood floors in your kitchen or bathroom because of the likelihood of frequent water and food spills.
2. Cork
This flooring is derived from the bark of cork oaks. Similar to hardwood, cork flooring has an earthy feel and look that many condo owners love. An added benefit to cork is that it is environmentally friendly, making it a top choice in condo flooring. Due to its water-resistance properties, cork is ideal if you live in an area that is humid. Other benefits to this type of flooring are that it is easy to clean and maintain. However, cork flooring is expensive and needs to be installed correctly to ensure it does not absorb water.
3. Laminate
Laminate is a great apartment flooring option if you love hardwood but have a tight budget. However, laminate does not have all of the qualities that hardwood floors do, for example, it is not as durable and cannot be refinished. Despite this, laminate is an excellent choice because it still gives a beautiful finish, requires minimal maintenance and the installation process is straightforward. Laminate is scratch resistant and comes in a variety of colors and thickness, so it can be customized to compliment the rest of the room.
4. Tile
Tile is the most ideal flooring option for your bathroom and kitchen. While it is an expensive flooring option, it is easy to install, easy to clean and holds up well in moisture, which is why it is an excellent choice for bathrooms and kitchens.
Tiles are versatile and come in a variety of colors and sizes. They are also scratch-resistant and durable. Tiles can be made out of a variety of materials like porcelain, slate, granite and marble. If you live in a cold area, it’s good to remember that tile does not provide good insulation, so you may need to install heating elements underneath the tiles or consider other ways of warming the space. Another drawback to tiles is that they usually cannot be repaired if they break – they will have to be replaced.
5. Engineered hardwood
This type of flooring is created by bonding veneers of wood with an adhesive to create planks. Engineered hardwood can be cut to various sizes and is easier to customize than hardwood or cork. An advantage of engineered hardwood is that it is not affected by changes in humidity or temperatures like solid wood. Due to the materials it consists of, engineered hardwood is suitable for any area in your condo, including kitchens and bathrooms. Engineered hardwood can last for a relatively long time if it is installed properly and no gaps are left in between the planks. It can be refinished and can be painted to suit your personal taste.
6. Carpet
This is the most ideal flooring in cold temperatures because it is known for warmth and can make a room look very appealing. It is also one of the most affordable flooring options and is excellent for soundproofing. Carpet is not ideal for areas in the home that are prone to water or food spillages because carpet absorbs water and this can lead to the growth of mould and mildew.
Another disadvantage with carpet is that it can get dirty, particularly in high traffic areas. Carpet also. Carpet however that’s more than attached to a room and is excellent for sound proofing.
Closing
With so many flooring options, determining the best flooring for apartments or condos can be difficult. There are also condo flooring requirements in Ontario that you should keep in mind when making your selection. Our experts at Moose Condo Renovation can help you weigh the various condo flooring options and pick the right one for you.