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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Floor plan

Morris and James Carey For AP Weekly Features

If you are considering a room addition or a major remodel, you need to begin thinking about the floor covering as soon as possible.

Even though flooring is normally the last finish to be installed, you will need to decide on the flooring type early on, so that doors, cabinets and other finishes can be properly installed.

For example: Door frames are installed directly onto the underlay when vinyl flooring is used. When carpet is to be installed, the door and frame are held to the top of the opening – to clear the carpet and pad.

There are plenty of flooring options: sheet vinyl, vinyl tiles, hardwood planks, wood parquet, carpet, ceramic tile, brick, slate, stone, granite, plastic laminate and more. Here is a look at the pluses and minuses of each type:

Ceramic tile

Plus: Easy to keep clean, although grout does take some cleaning and sealing management.

Minus: Hard surface bounces household noise.

Plus: Lasts a long, long time.

Minus: Cold to the touch and hard on the feet.

Plus: An almost infinite number of color, texture, design and style combinations.

Minus: Grout and tile are brittle and will crack if the floor is not sturdy.

Vinyl tile

Plus: Very inexpensive.

Minus: Can look cheap if not carefully installed.

Plus: Do-it-yourselfers can easily do a good installation.

Minus: Doesn’t last as long as sheet vinyl.

Sheet vinyl

Plus: Offers good value, good looks and durability.

Minus: Cheaper vinyl collects dirt and stains easily.

Plus: Easy to clean.

Minus: Cheaper vinyl needs to be replaced every five to seven years or so.

Plus: High-end vinyl will last 15 to 20 years or more.

Minus: Caution must be taken to prevent cutting and gouging.

Carpet

Plus: Absorbs noise like no other floor covering.

Minus: Absorbs dirt and water like no other floor covering.

Plus: Makes a room cozy and warm.

Minus: Does not last in high-traffic areas.

Plus: Easy fluff-up with a vacuum.

Minus: Retains dust and pollen particles.

Brick, slate and stone

Plus: Unusual look.

Minus: Easy to stain, hard to clean.

Plus: Unusual look.

Minus: Expensive.

Hardwood

Plus: Long lasting (with proper care).

Minus: Easily scratched; easily dented by high heels.

Plus: Offers a warm, natural look.

Minus: Does not stand up to water and is expensive to maintain.

Plastic laminate flooring (floating floors)

Plus: Available in a myriad of colors and styles.

Minus: Looks like vinyl but is more expensive.

Plus: Costs less than real hardwood.

Minus: Lasts about as long as vinyl but is almost impossible to repair.

In the “old days” (10 or 15 years ago), people put sheet vinyl in the kitchen and bathroom, hardwood or carpet in the living room, and tile in the entry. Those time-proven guidelines still make sense, but homeowners are taking a more flexible approach.

Today, the “right” flooring can be just about anything.

For example, sheet vinyl is still the most popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms and the laundry, but other materials have made inroads.

Ceramic tile is now a close No. 2 in the bath.

Hardwood, previously limited to “dry” areas, is showing up in kitchens.

Plastic laminate and wood floating floors, which hit the market in the early 1990s, have quickly gained acceptance for use in a variety of areas, including the kitchen. However, we strongly suggest against using hardwood and floating floors in any wet area.

With the proper care, almost any flooring material can be used almost anywhere.

And in case you’re feeling frisky (in a home-improvement kind of way), floor installation, except for the new floating floors, is not the kind of job most do-it-yourselfers care to tackle.

Pick your floor covering and hire a professional installer to put it in; you’ll be happier with the end result.