ᐅ Which types of flooring are recommended for single-family homes? What does the building expert community suggest?
Created on: 14 Sep 2020 07:43
E
exto1791
Hello everyone,
We are slowly starting to consider the flooring for our planned single-family house and are still completely undecided.
We have an open-plan living-dining area with a kitchen. We believe that a seamless floor transition looks nicer than separating the kitchen from the living/dining area. For this reason, we want to have a uniform floor covering throughout.
Now the question: vinyl or tiles? We have already read about the pros and cons, but maybe we can get some first-hand tips or tricks here that might put some of the disadvantages into a more positive perspective?
1. Question: Is vinyl really safe to use in the kitchen? Is vinyl fully waterproof? How does vinyl flooring react if, for example, a knife slips from my hand and falls on the floor? Will I get immediate dents or marks? Are there vinyl floors that are significantly more resistant?
2. Question: How does vinyl respond to sunlight? Since we will have several large glass fronts in our living-dining area, vinyl "technically" seems to be excluded... Does vinyl actually deform? Is it true that vinyl, like parquet, fades significantly in sunlight?
3. Question: Is vinyl really only suitable for 10-20 years? What happens afterward? Do I have to replace the vinyl, or can it be refurbished or maintained?
--> We are considering tiling the entire area because then we would be "done," have a robust floor that works perfectly with underfloor heating, is simple, and very resistant to sun/fading/stains/impacts. We think generally that you can’t go wrong with tiles.
However, I see the problem that the tiles will likely stay in place for a lifetime, and I may not want or be able to replace them later due to the high effort involved. Also, any chip or damage to a tile will be visible for life since I can’t quickly repair it (true, vinyl also can’t be easily repaired, but I could replace the floor after 15-20 years). Another downside is cost. Tiles are generally more expensive, and I wouldn’t be able to install them myself (I don’t feel confident with tiles but feel okay with vinyl), so we are wondering what is best for us.
What flooring have you installed in your living/dining areas? What good or bad experiences have you had?
Now about the upper rooms:
1 bedroom and 2 kids’ rooms: vinyl/parquet/cork/laminate?
We are familiar with the pros and cons here as well. Parquet is "technically" out of the question because it is very expensive (is there good parquet for around 30€ (about $33)?). Opinions on vinyl are divided... We also have clear concerns (especially in the kids’ rooms) regarding plastic flooring... Are they really completely safe and non-toxic nowadays? If I pay attention to this, can I safely choose vinyl for the kids’ rooms? The kids’ rooms should be "good and affordable" above all. Cork might be an option? Laminate is somehow excluded because it is very noisy and offers no advantages over cork or vinyl.
Is parquet sensible for the bedroom? Here there is no fading, parquet is durable, and sunlight is limited. Very durable and might make the bedroom more visually appealing. What do you think?
We are open to any suggestions.
Where did you buy your flooring? From a hardware store? A specialist dealer? Are there recommendations, including manufacturers or models?
We are slowly starting to consider the flooring for our planned single-family house and are still completely undecided.
We have an open-plan living-dining area with a kitchen. We believe that a seamless floor transition looks nicer than separating the kitchen from the living/dining area. For this reason, we want to have a uniform floor covering throughout.
Now the question: vinyl or tiles? We have already read about the pros and cons, but maybe we can get some first-hand tips or tricks here that might put some of the disadvantages into a more positive perspective?
1. Question: Is vinyl really safe to use in the kitchen? Is vinyl fully waterproof? How does vinyl flooring react if, for example, a knife slips from my hand and falls on the floor? Will I get immediate dents or marks? Are there vinyl floors that are significantly more resistant?
2. Question: How does vinyl respond to sunlight? Since we will have several large glass fronts in our living-dining area, vinyl "technically" seems to be excluded... Does vinyl actually deform? Is it true that vinyl, like parquet, fades significantly in sunlight?
3. Question: Is vinyl really only suitable for 10-20 years? What happens afterward? Do I have to replace the vinyl, or can it be refurbished or maintained?
--> We are considering tiling the entire area because then we would be "done," have a robust floor that works perfectly with underfloor heating, is simple, and very resistant to sun/fading/stains/impacts. We think generally that you can’t go wrong with tiles.
However, I see the problem that the tiles will likely stay in place for a lifetime, and I may not want or be able to replace them later due to the high effort involved. Also, any chip or damage to a tile will be visible for life since I can’t quickly repair it (true, vinyl also can’t be easily repaired, but I could replace the floor after 15-20 years). Another downside is cost. Tiles are generally more expensive, and I wouldn’t be able to install them myself (I don’t feel confident with tiles but feel okay with vinyl), so we are wondering what is best for us.
What flooring have you installed in your living/dining areas? What good or bad experiences have you had?
Now about the upper rooms:
1 bedroom and 2 kids’ rooms: vinyl/parquet/cork/laminate?
We are familiar with the pros and cons here as well. Parquet is "technically" out of the question because it is very expensive (is there good parquet for around 30€ (about $33)?). Opinions on vinyl are divided... We also have clear concerns (especially in the kids’ rooms) regarding plastic flooring... Are they really completely safe and non-toxic nowadays? If I pay attention to this, can I safely choose vinyl for the kids’ rooms? The kids’ rooms should be "good and affordable" above all. Cork might be an option? Laminate is somehow excluded because it is very noisy and offers no advantages over cork or vinyl.
Is parquet sensible for the bedroom? Here there is no fading, parquet is durable, and sunlight is limited. Very durable and might make the bedroom more visually appealing. What do you think?
We are open to any suggestions.
Where did you buy your flooring? From a hardware store? A specialist dealer? Are there recommendations, including manufacturers or models?
M
Myrna_Loy19 Apr 2021 10:44Many things are perceived only subconsciously—and some of these make the difference to a comfortable living atmosphere. Sound is part of that. Most modern living spaces have many hard, reflective surfaces. Lacquered furniture finishes, no curtains, and smooth walls. In such cases, a few books, the sofa, some potted plants, and framed glass pictures hardly make a difference. If, at the same time, music is playing in the open-plan area, a child is playing actively, and someone is busy in the kitchen, this creates a noise environment that could be significantly reduced, for example, by a wooden floor, heavy curtains, or a large carpet.
Since the question was about recommended flooring, I took the liberty to note that although tiles, thanks to their wood-look design and underfloor heating, appear more homely, they still have some disadvantages.
Since the question was about recommended flooring, I took the liberty to note that although tiles, thanks to their wood-look design and underfloor heating, appear more homely, they still have some disadvantages.
P
pagoni202019 Apr 2021 10:46exto1791 schrieb:
In the end, this isn’t really "criticism" but just a different opinion or preference regarding flooring 🙂 I understand that. It is absolutely fine to have criticism or to clearly explain one’s reasons because that helps undecided people figure out which option suits them best.
It’s just like with wood-plastic composite (WPC) versus gas, wood, and many others. None is the absolute best, but when I read why someone chooses one option over another or rejects an alternative, that helps me a lot. Because of that, I always encourage people to talk in favor of their own choice and explain why they made that decision, rather than just saying the other option is bad.
For me at least, that approach is the most helpful; I think criticism and differing opinions are important, especially in a building forum.
@exto1791 I was speaking more generally and not specifically about you 😀
S
saralina8719 Apr 2021 10:57exto1791 schrieb:
Edit: Every option has its pros and cons. With kids, it’s definitely not ideal for warmth and playing on the floor, that’s true. However, it’s also very durable (especially because of the kids 😀) and visually quite nice. But that’s what play rugs or similar things are for.
I also grew up with tiles – so far I don’t see any lasting damage (at least that’s what I think 😀) The little ones don’t stay on the play rug. Everything around is way too interesting.
I think you can argue for and against every type of flooring – personally, I find tiles completely uninviting and uncomfortable. The wood-look ones also seem so very 2010 to me. But yes, in the end it’s a totally subjective choice.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
I understand that. Criticism is definitely allowed, and it's important to clearly explain one’s reasons because that helps anyone who is undecided figure out which option suits them best.
It’s like with heat pumps or gas, wood or WPC and so on. None of them is the absolute best, but when I read why someone chooses one over the other, it helps me a lot. For that reason, I always advocate speaking in favor of your own choice and explaining why you do it that way, instead of speaking against the alternative just because it is “bad.”
At least for ME, that’s the most helpful approach; I think criticism and different opinions are important, also in construction forums.
@exto1791 I meant this more generally and not specifically about you 😀 In the end, you have to argue either FOR or AGAINST something, otherwise you don’t have your own opinion. 🙂
If someone brings up an argument, I like to challenge it, or at least try to.
As I have mentioned before, everything is subjective—every feeling, appearance, preference, etc. You can never generalize it. I think it’s good that the original poster and everyone else are exposed to different opinions. I also think it’s helpful when people relate those opinions to their own experiences, like you mentioned with heat pumps / gas and so on.
Otherwise, there is usually the risk in forums that the original poster becomes too fixated on one opinion (for example, acoustic tiles), differences I personally would never hear or be bothered by. If the original poster is not particularly sensitive to sound, they shouldn’t take that argument too much to heart. I think that is really important in forums and has helped me a lot. However, if something does matter to them (like tiles do for me as a tile enthusiast), then they definitely shouldn’t listen to me!! 😀
For me personally, there is no perfect flooring anyway... everything has pros and cons. Unfortunately! Otherwise, life would be much simpler 🙁
H
hampshire19 Apr 2021 12:55exto1791 schrieb:
To be honest, I only know that from the hospitality sector, when 40 people are talking at the same time in a restaurant. But in a single-family house, I’m far from that. But of course, if someone values that, go for it! The measure is aimed solely at well-being. For example, this can be affected by echoes caused by the room’s shape combined with the reflective behavior of large surfaces. You surely know the acoustic difference between empty and furnished rooms. The large and certainly beautiful tiled surface can, due to its hard reflective properties, create exactly that kind of acoustic room sensation. It’s not everyone’s preference and has nothing to do with hospitality. That’s why the tip comes.
exto1791 schrieb:
We are paying 450.00€ MORE (just the installation costs) for just over 50m² (540 square feet) of tiles. That sounds reasonable.
exto1791 schrieb:
If someone lists an argument, I like to refute it, or at least try to. That’s a pity.
hampshire schrieb:
The measure focuses solely on well-being. This can be affected, for example, by echo caused by room size combined with the reflective behavior of large surfaces. You’re probably familiar with the acoustic difference between empty and furnished rooms. The large and certainly attractive tiled surface can create a similar acoustic feel due to its hard, reflective properties. This is not to everyone’s taste and has nothing to do with hospitality. Hence the tip.
That sounds fair.
That’s a pity. That may all be true – however, it neither contributes to my well-being nor worsens it... In my opinion, there are too many ways to achieve a nice room acoustics through curtains, rugs, etc. But as mentioned, it is certainly a matter of personal preference, depending on how much value someone places on acoustics.
I know people who can’t even hear the difference between a TV speaker and a soundbar (yes, I’m actually that “similar”) – so personally, I don’t feel affected at all, nor would I notice a difference sitting in a room with hardwood flooring or a room with tiles and 20 people in both.
That’s why everyone has to decide for themselves how important the acoustic aspect is when it comes to choosing the floor.
I didn’t mean to try to refute everything. Rather, when I don’t agree, I try to counter the other party’s argument with respect to myself. That’s what I did 🙂 This way, it helps provide different opinions/impressions for homeowners who have not yet decided and are still facing the decision 🙂
But it’s all good, such discussions also help the original poster to get several different impressions and see what matters most to them.
Yes... I find 450€ super fair!
Does anyone happen to know if there is a price difference between 90 x 45cm (35 x 18 inches) and 60 x 60cm (24 x 24 inches) tiles purely for labor or installation costs? Then I might be able to argue on site if my general contractor tries to charge extra (we are planning 90 x 45 in the bathroom).
Similar topics