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?
Tiles or Hardwood Flooring
No vinyl—especially not with children.
Plasticizers are suspected to contribute to enamel defects (chalky teeth). Many people prefer to avoid any plastics in contact with food. Toys are tested for harmful substances because kids often put them in their mouths. Here, plastic flooring is installed that is not approved for food contact and does not have to meet requirements for saliva resistance, etc. Young children spend most of their early years on the floor. They have drooly hands on vinyl, then put their hands in their mouths, and so on.
And no, I’m not an eco helicopter mom.
No vinyl—especially not with children.
Plasticizers are suspected to contribute to enamel defects (chalky teeth). Many people prefer to avoid any plastics in contact with food. Toys are tested for harmful substances because kids often put them in their mouths. Here, plastic flooring is installed that is not approved for food contact and does not have to meet requirements for saliva resistance, etc. Young children spend most of their early years on the floor. They have drooly hands on vinyl, then put their hands in their mouths, and so on.
And no, I’m not an eco helicopter mom.
I find it really surprising that vinyl flooring isn’t being promoted more here. I actually thought that 90% of builders, especially in the upper bedrooms, use vinyl. Very interesting.
Quick question: Where did you buy your flooring, or where do you usually buy your flooring? Do you go to a specialty timber or wood flooring store, or to a home improvement store like Bauhaus?
Quick question: Where did you buy your flooring, or where do you usually buy your flooring? Do you go to a specialty timber or wood flooring store, or to a home improvement store like Bauhaus?
Nice-Nofret schrieb:
Wow, I’m surprised by the attitude that maintaining the hardwood floors is the landlord’s responsibility. I have always taken care of the hardwood flooring in my rental apartment just as well as in my own home. After all, I also clean the bathrooms, carpets, toilets, etc.Exactly, we expected the landlord to keep our floors clean. What did you think? We are talking about sanding and sealing!
I consider that the landlord’s responsibility when the floor is included in the rental. Especially when it is mentioned at move-in!
Later on, we didn’t ask again because we didn’t want to empty our entire living room.
I believe this question comes up here quite often?
We have hardwood flooring almost everywhere, which was clear to us from the start—nothing else was an option for the living areas. Tiles feel far too cold and plastic flooring was never considered.
In the bathrooms and the kitchen, we chose tiles. In our previous rental apartment, we had hardwood in the kitchen, which proved a bit too sensitive to water stains for our liking. Because of this, we have a transition in the living area that was executed very well.
In the master bedroom and the walk-in closet, we installed carpet. I had to convince my wife a bit, and even I was only about 90% convinced, but in hindsight, it turned out to be an excellent decision. It’s incredibly cozy and comfortable for the bedroom. (Carpet is also the only flooring type I willingly walk barefoot on; I usually avoid doing that on hardwood.)
We have hardwood flooring almost everywhere, which was clear to us from the start—nothing else was an option for the living areas. Tiles feel far too cold and plastic flooring was never considered.
In the bathrooms and the kitchen, we chose tiles. In our previous rental apartment, we had hardwood in the kitchen, which proved a bit too sensitive to water stains for our liking. Because of this, we have a transition in the living area that was executed very well.
In the master bedroom and the walk-in closet, we installed carpet. I had to convince my wife a bit, and even I was only about 90% convinced, but in hindsight, it turned out to be an excellent decision. It’s incredibly cozy and comfortable for the bedroom. (Carpet is also the only flooring type I willingly walk barefoot on; I usually avoid doing that on hardwood.)
A few brief notes from me:
Parquet flooring only hides damage if the wear layer is thick enough. Otherwise, the substrate, which is usually just particleboard, quickly becomes visible. That doesn’t look good.
There are chemicals involved in parquet flooring as well (how else do you think the layers are held together? With spit?)
If you choose hardwood, go for solid wood planks!
Tiles tend to feel cold during winter, especially in new builds. With supply temperatures around 30°C (86°F) and a body temperature close to 37°C (99°F), this is unavoidable.
Grout lines in tiles might pose a cleaning challenge.
I’m very interested in linoleum, but from what I’ve found, it’s quite expensive (starting at 50 EUR/m²) and the patterns, even though not all of them look like gymnasiums or hospitals, don’t appeal to me at all.
Does anyone here know a linoleum supplier or dealer with a wider or more affordable selection?
Parquet flooring only hides damage if the wear layer is thick enough. Otherwise, the substrate, which is usually just particleboard, quickly becomes visible. That doesn’t look good.
There are chemicals involved in parquet flooring as well (how else do you think the layers are held together? With spit?)
If you choose hardwood, go for solid wood planks!
Tiles tend to feel cold during winter, especially in new builds. With supply temperatures around 30°C (86°F) and a body temperature close to 37°C (99°F), this is unavoidable.
Grout lines in tiles might pose a cleaning challenge.
I’m very interested in linoleum, but from what I’ve found, it’s quite expensive (starting at 50 EUR/m²) and the patterns, even though not all of them look like gymnasiums or hospitals, don’t appeal to me at all.
Does anyone here know a linoleum supplier or dealer with a wider or more affordable selection?
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