Modern design changed a lot of things, but nothing shows the difference as strongly as flooring. These days, people are no longer limited to wood, stone, or tile, although these remain very popular. Your options now include all sorts of natural materials, many of which are surprisingly sturdy and stylish. There are floors for every lifestyle, budget, and décor theme, so there’s no way you’ll run out of options. In fact, the question is not whether you can find a good floor, but which of them will be right for you.
Of course, not all alternative flooring materials will do the job. Some are stronger, prettier, or cheaper than others. It all depends on what you want out of your floor and how much you’re willing to pay for it. That’s why you have to read up about alternative floors and know what makes them different. It may turn out that you’re better off with one of the traditional materials or just sticking to your old floor. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular alternative floors today, and what they can do for you.
Cork
If you’ve always wanted wood floors but couldn’t afford real hardwood, cork floors may be your best option. Cork flooring is made from recycled wood chips, usually oak, which are pressed together to form dense, solid tiles. The top is then sealed with urethane, a clear coating, to smooth it out and protect it from the elements. The tiles are usually cut to standard sizes and vary in thickness from a few millimeters to over one centimeter.
One good advantage of cork flooring is insulation. Because it’s soft, it easily absorbs sound and cold, making it ideal for rooms that need good soundproofing, such as home theaters. It’s also very easy on the feet and makes very little noise underfoot. Just avoid putting heavy furniture on it, as they can create crease marks. Move the furniture around once in a while to make sure it wears out evenly, and reapply urethane to keep it looking new.
Glass
Glass is probably the last thing you’d think of when it comes to home flooring. But more and more people are using glass floor tile around the home, and often with very good results. And you’re no longer limited to those clear blocks you’re probably used to seeing. Modern technology has allowed manufacturers to make glass tiles in every color, size, and shape imaginable, and to make them more durable and resistant to daily wear.
Because it’s non-porous, glass is ideal for rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens. It doesn’t get stained or gather mold even with constant exposure to moisture. Spills can be wiped up in seconds. The only problem is that they can break with impact, like any other tile. You can avoid this by using smaller glass tiles, which will even out the pressure, or one with a sand-blasted surface for added texture and traction.
Metal
Metal is one of the strongest materials around, so it’s no surprise that they make good floors. In fact, metal tiles have been used in industrial settings for years because they can stand up to heavy use and still look like new. And with production getting cheaper and faster, manufacturers have found a way to metal flooring more consumer-friendly. Today, metal is found not only on home floors but on walls, counters, and other areas where durability is of prime importance.
The most common metal used in flooring is stainless steel, but that doesn’t mean your only choice is a dull gray finish. Stainless steel tiles can be stained to make them look like other metals which are too delicate to use as flooring, such as copper, bronze, and brass. Copper is an especially popular color, as it lends a warm glow to your room and goes with pretty much any theme. If you’re environmentally conscious, try going for recycled metal tiles—they look just as good but don’t have the same environmental impact.
Leather
You probably have leather objects lying around the house—a chair, a recliner, or a cushion. But you’ve probably never thought of using it on your floor. That’s right—leather is now used to create unique floors that are deceptively sturdy. Leather flooring adds a soft, elegant look to the room, and as you probably expect, it’s very comfortable underfoot.
Leather is best used on floors that get light foot traffic. Never put them near moist or humid areas, as they don’t take very well to water. Most leather floors are sealed with a clear coating for protection, so make sure to have some spare coating handy to reapply whenever necessary. Properly installed and maintained, leather floors will behave like any other piece of genuine leather: they get shinier and more attractive with age!
more consumer-friendly. Today, metal is found not only on home floors but on walls, counters, and other areas where durability is of prime importance.
The most common metal used in flooring is stainless steel, but that doesn’t mean your only choice is a dull gray finish. Stainless steel tiles can be stained to make them look like other metals which are too delicate to use as flooring, such as copper, bronze, and brass. Copper is an especially popular color, as it lends a warm glow to your room and goes with pretty much any theme. If you’re environmentally conscious, try going for recycled metal tiles—they look just as good but don’t have the same environmental impact.
Leather
You probably have leather objects lying around the house—a chair, a recliner, or a cushion. But you’ve probably never thought of using it on your floor. That’s right—leather is now used to create unique floors that are deceptively sturdy. Leather flooring adds a soft, elegant look to the room, and as you probably expect, it’s very comfortable underfoot.
Leather is best used on floors that get light foot traffic. Never put them near moist or humid areas, as they don’t take very well to water. Most leather floors are sealed with a clear coating for protection, so make sure to have some spare coating handy to reapply whenever necessary. Properly installed and maintained, leather floors will behave like any other piece of genuine leather: they get shinier and more attractive with age!
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