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?
P
pagoni202018 Feb 2021 21:21netuser schrieb:
For the new construction project I’m currently planning, I will also buy second-grade master parquet, so I don’t want to preach to you either, in case I end up empty-handed 😉Ah, mate, when is the excavator arriving at your place? Just to be safe, I’ll say that my cheap second-choice master flooring has just collapsed vertically right in front of me. Never again! Only first-grade, premium... just like I am myself... at least that’s what the best wife in the world says!
pagoni2020 schrieb:
...just like I am myself.... at least that’s what the best wife ever says!😀 ... my excavator work is still a way off.... but you’re premium with me too! 😉
Thanks for the supportive anti-missioning 😉
Second choice does not seem to be that simple. The selection is very limited, and the available quantity is sometimes restricted to just a few packages.
Since I am completely new to the parquet business and unfortunately tend to question everything scientifically (a congenital condition), I have come across many minor issues with parquet flooring. Generally, people think parquet is less durable but can be refinished a few times without having to remove the entire floor. Damage can be romantically seen as signs of life.
However, many parquet floors are so thin that they cannot be sanded at all (wear layer 2.5mm (0.1 inches)). Others can be sanded at least once (wear layer 3.5mm (0.14 inches)) but are noticeably more expensive. Thicker options are less suitable for underfloor heating and even more expensive. The DIY-friendly option with floating installation cannot be sanded at all because sanding causes vibrations that can damage the joints of the floating floor. This usually means: a professional must install the floor, which adds to the cost.
The possible surface finishes also seem to be a study in themselves. Lacquer is durable and easy to maintain, but the surface is synthetic, like other plastic flooring. Scratches are less likely but more visible when they do occur. Oiled floors need regular re-oiling—sometimes recommended once a year. After oiling, the floor should not be walked on and no rugs or furniture should be placed on it for one day. Oiled parquet appears to be fashionable, but to me, it seems impractical to move the furniture once a year and not be able to use the living room for a whole day. The advantage is that minor scratches are less visible, and the oil already masks some of them, so sanding is rarely or never needed.
Parquet yes or no is therefore a too simplistic question. How did you approach this?
Since I am completely new to the parquet business and unfortunately tend to question everything scientifically (a congenital condition), I have come across many minor issues with parquet flooring. Generally, people think parquet is less durable but can be refinished a few times without having to remove the entire floor. Damage can be romantically seen as signs of life.
However, many parquet floors are so thin that they cannot be sanded at all (wear layer 2.5mm (0.1 inches)). Others can be sanded at least once (wear layer 3.5mm (0.14 inches)) but are noticeably more expensive. Thicker options are less suitable for underfloor heating and even more expensive. The DIY-friendly option with floating installation cannot be sanded at all because sanding causes vibrations that can damage the joints of the floating floor. This usually means: a professional must install the floor, which adds to the cost.
The possible surface finishes also seem to be a study in themselves. Lacquer is durable and easy to maintain, but the surface is synthetic, like other plastic flooring. Scratches are less likely but more visible when they do occur. Oiled floors need regular re-oiling—sometimes recommended once a year. After oiling, the floor should not be walked on and no rugs or furniture should be placed on it for one day. Oiled parquet appears to be fashionable, but to me, it seems impractical to move the furniture once a year and not be able to use the living room for a whole day. The advantage is that minor scratches are less visible, and the oil already masks some of them, so sanding is rarely or never needed.
Parquet yes or no is therefore a too simplistic question. How did you approach this?
B
Bertram10019 Feb 2021 18:33rdwlnts schrieb:
How did you do it?Super simple: I looked at what I liked. And whether I could afford it. And whether it worked with underfloor heating. If all three were "yes": bought it. Happy. End of story.Your scientific approach is a bit silly. It depends on what’s important to you. Like with everything, there’s no perfect all-in-one hardwood flooring.
Parquet flooring is not rocket science. If you like it, then it’s good. Sanding is theoretical; experience comes after 40 years or more. Oiled floors look nice, and there are maintenance products you can add to the cleaning water. Nowadays, there is also lacquered parquet that you can’t even tell is lacquered. A 2.5mm (1 inch) two-layer parquet glued down is actually enough. Gluing together with a click system can be done by any amateur.
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pagoni202019 Feb 2021 20:00Dr. Hirschhausen calls this the "too-much-itis."
Every building material and construction method has its pros and cons. Searching for the perfect all-in-one solution only leads to frustration.
I needed about 180 sqm (1,938 sq ft), and there was only one type of oak parquet available within the desired aesthetic range.
I looked at the original product and it was matte lacquered (UV-oiled according to the expert), although I had actually wanted it oiled.
After researching this in more detail, I realized that, basically, it’s like the finish suits my needs in terms of use. Bought it – fits perfectly! In a pinch, you could always roll the dice. 😀
For example, I know that I would never sand engineered wood flooring. Scratches, dents, and so on can happen, but in wood, I think you can see that, while with tiles you mostly can’t. Sanding costs about €10-15/sqm (about $11-16/sq ft) plus re-oiling or re-lacquering, which to me is a quick calculation if the new (second-choice) floor would only cost 25 sqm (270 sq ft) and I can install it myself. I will never sand a wooden floor again, and often that sounds more like a sales argument to me rather than a necessary feature.
The good thing about buying second choice is that you don’t have to think about too many options since not everything is available… Wonderful… 😀
The debate about oiled or not turned from a curse into a blessing because this matte lacquer is basically oiled through a specific process (I forgot the details, need to call the expert). The floor is matte and doesn’t look like it’s high-gloss lacquered, and it doesn’t require complicated maintenance. Take a look somewhere.
It’s and remains a floor, and you probably shouldn’t be too picky. As I mentioned before, I once knew a tile store that had scattered gravel/chippings on their wooden floor in the showroom for a few weeks to achieve a certain look. They swept, cleaned, and oiled it, and there it was—a somewhat special wooden floor. I once had a floor painted in a solid color too… also nice.
Underfloor heating always works as long as you don’t run around all day with a thermometer documenting measurement values. I even know of underfloor heating installed under 35 mm (1.4 inches) thick plank flooring; here it was under floating parquet and works well.
As always, there are several ways to Rome…
Every building material and construction method has its pros and cons. Searching for the perfect all-in-one solution only leads to frustration.
I needed about 180 sqm (1,938 sq ft), and there was only one type of oak parquet available within the desired aesthetic range.
I looked at the original product and it was matte lacquered (UV-oiled according to the expert), although I had actually wanted it oiled.
After researching this in more detail, I realized that, basically, it’s like the finish suits my needs in terms of use. Bought it – fits perfectly! In a pinch, you could always roll the dice. 😀
For example, I know that I would never sand engineered wood flooring. Scratches, dents, and so on can happen, but in wood, I think you can see that, while with tiles you mostly can’t. Sanding costs about €10-15/sqm (about $11-16/sq ft) plus re-oiling or re-lacquering, which to me is a quick calculation if the new (second-choice) floor would only cost 25 sqm (270 sq ft) and I can install it myself. I will never sand a wooden floor again, and often that sounds more like a sales argument to me rather than a necessary feature.
The good thing about buying second choice is that you don’t have to think about too many options since not everything is available… Wonderful… 😀
The debate about oiled or not turned from a curse into a blessing because this matte lacquer is basically oiled through a specific process (I forgot the details, need to call the expert). The floor is matte and doesn’t look like it’s high-gloss lacquered, and it doesn’t require complicated maintenance. Take a look somewhere.
It’s and remains a floor, and you probably shouldn’t be too picky. As I mentioned before, I once knew a tile store that had scattered gravel/chippings on their wooden floor in the showroom for a few weeks to achieve a certain look. They swept, cleaned, and oiled it, and there it was—a somewhat special wooden floor. I once had a floor painted in a solid color too… also nice.
Underfloor heating always works as long as you don’t run around all day with a thermometer documenting measurement values. I even know of underfloor heating installed under 35 mm (1.4 inches) thick plank flooring; here it was under floating parquet and works well.
As always, there are several ways to Rome…
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