The most comprehensive guide to buying flooring in the United States (flooring type + brand + price)

The most comprehensive guide to buying flooring in the United States (flooring type + brand + price)


Buying a new house or moving to a new home is inseparable from decorating the house, and naturally it is inseparable from choosing the flooring. But many people don’t know, how to choose flooring? In fact, when it comes to decorating a house nowadays, many people find a decoration company because it saves trouble. However, even if you find a decoration company, you still have to do some homework on decorating the house to avoid being cheated. I have compiled a comprehensive American paint guide for you. Today we will mainly talk about the American floor purchasing guide. This article will introduce you in detail to the types of flooring and recommended American flooring brands. When buying wood flooring or Vinyl polyethylene? ? How to choose bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen floors? What flooring to choose for home? How to choose commercial flooring? You’ll know after reading this article! !

1. American flooring types

No matter which country you are in, flooring basically has the following types:

1. Laminate Flooring丨Laminate Flooring

Laminate Flooring (laminate flooring) consists of a wear-resistant layer, a decorative layer, a base layer (the base material is medium-density or high-density fiberboard and particleboard), and a balance layer. It has good dimensional stability, good wear resistance and stain resistance, and cannot be soaked in water. Some brands use cork pads underneath them, which are said to help dampen the sound. The best laminates resist sun scratches and tarnishing better than most wood products.

In terms of durability, high-quality laminate flooring is durable and most have a lifespan of up to 20 years. While it may be possible to repair minor imperfections, once the top layer of flooring wears out, the flooring must be replaced.

advantage:

Less expensive than hardwood

Easy to install

Durability

Various colors and styles, such as natural wood

Suitable for areas with heavy traffic

shortcoming:

susceptible to moisture

difficult to repair

Not suitable for use in kitchen or bathroom

2. Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered Wood Flooring, usually made from several thin layers of wood sandwiched by an adhesive, so it can usually withstand higher humidity and is less likely to swell than solid wood flooring . This flooring uses solid wood or bamboo veneer over structural plywood, making it a cost-effective option. Well-installed, high-quality engineered wood can be as durable as solid wood.

Most engineered wood flooring is not as wear-resistant as solid wood or laminate flooring. Although the wood species is different, it is also prone to denting. Depending on the thickness of the plywood, some engineered wood floors can be refinished as many times as solid hardwood floors. However, most can only be patched once or twice, while some can never be patched.

3. Solid Hardwood Flooring丨Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid wood flooring is a floor decoration material formed from natural wood after drying and processing. Also known as log floor, it is a floor directly processed from solid wood. It has the natural growth texture of wood and is a poor conductor of heat. It can provide warmth in winter and coolness in summer. It feels comfortable on the feet and is safe to use. It is an ideal material for floor decoration in bedrooms, living rooms, studies, etc.

Disadvantages: Solid wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity and can dent easily. Some species will quickly show wear and discoloration from sunlight. Wood floors are not a good choice for basements and other wet spaces.

4. Cork Flooring丨Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is a waterproof, renewable material suitable for a variety of spaces, including basement and bathroom installations. Cork can be joined together in the same way as laminate flooring. Although cork floors are easily damaged by sharp objects, they feel warm and comfortable.

Cork flooring itself is also made from broken cork bark, just like composite cork. It can even be understood simply and crudely: laminate flooring is made from broken wood and pressed, while cork flooring is made from broken bark and pressed It's done.

5. Vinyl Flooring丨Vinyl Flooring


Vinyl flooring (PVC flooring) refers to a floor made of polyvinyl chloride material. It is completely polymer material and looks like wood grain, but it has nothing to do with wood. From a maintenance perspective, it is easier to maintain, waterproof, wear-resistant, stain-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. The disadvantage is that it is afraid of being rolled over by heavy rollers and prone to dents.

Available in rolls or tiles, usually fixed by adhesive. It can be manufactured in a very wide range of colors and profiles (e.g. studded) and, like laminate flooring, can simulate the look of other materials.

Advantages of using vinyl flooring include:

strong and sturdy

Easy to maintain and clean

It's able to get wet without bending, making it suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and more

Easy to install

The price is relatively cheap

6. Tile丨Tile

There are two types of ceramic tiles:

Porcelain or Ceramic, there are many options when it comes to tile colours, textures, shapes and finishes. Due to their hardness, they are difficult to scratch or dent and are also suitable for wet environments. However, they are difficult to install and can be damaged if there is a lack of support underneath the floor tiles.

Natural Stone: These are typically more expensive than porcelain or ceramic options, but may be more aesthetically pleasing. It needs to be properly sealed when installed, and this process needs to be repeated occasionally to protect the tiles.

7. Bamboo Flooring丨Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring has the advantages of being a renewable resource and being waterproof. Compared to wood, it is more susceptible to dents and scratches due to its lack of hardness.

Regarding the price, it is probably: solid wood > softwood > LVP > composite wood flooring > bamboo flooring > laminate wood flooring.

What is the best choice for home flooring?

Home flooring is most commonly installed room by room rather than using one material throughout. Because different rooms have different requirements for their floors.

Bedrooms: Although wood, laminate, or vinyl are all suitable, the most popular choice is carpet (carpet is also commonly used in the United States, but carpet is difficult to clean and maintain).

Kitchen: Vinyl is a popular choice because it is not affected by water, is easy to clean, and offers durability. Ceramic tile and laminate flooring are also options.

Lounge/dining room: The choice of flooring may come down to aesthetic preference. Basically all flooring types are suitable, just pick according to your preference.

Retest the second floor/stairs: It is recommended that most of the upstairs areas be carpeted as the occupants are likely to be walking around without shoes and the hard floors can also be noisy.

Bathrooms/wet areas: Untreated wood is not suitable for these rooms and carpets will become damp and unhygienic. Vinyl and ceramic tiles are ideal because they are not affected by water and require minimal maintenance. Premium vinyl with an R10 rating is slip-resistant, making it ideal for wet rooms.

What is the best commercial flooring?

The most common flooring types used in commercial buildings are:

vinyl glue

Easy to maintain, unlike tile floors, there is no grouting involved. This means it is great at maintaining hygiene levels, making it a popular choice in hospitals, nursing homes and more. Because vinyl is hard-wearing, it can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it suitable for a variety of commercial settings.

safety floor

This is a form of flexible, heavy-duty, premium vinyl or rubber flooring that includes anti-slip particles. For many industries, creating a safe work environment is critical. This floor is easy to maintain and clean. Since the most common causes of workplace injuries are slips, trips, and falls, the non-slip qualities of this flooring make it suitable for many workplace environments.

Commercial carpets and floor tiles

These are popular among many businesses due to the aesthetic quality they can achieve. Carpets are common in offices because instead of placing a large number of carpets, individual tiles can be placed as needed, increasing flexibility and saving waste.

丨American flooring brand

There are also many flooring brands in the United States, such as Armstrong, Mannington, Lumber Liquidators, Mohawk, Shaw, Tarkett, etc. Let’s take a closer look at the brand introduction.

1. Armstrong

Armstrong manufactures flooring under the recognized brands Armstrong and Bruce and the specialty brand Robbins. The Armstrong brand includes wood and laminate, a range of linoleum flooring and ceramic tiles. Bruce's Lock & Fold range of wood flooring is focused on delivering value and ease of installation. The Robbins range is sold on special order in specialist flooring stores and in select home centres. All Armstrong brands use floating engineered wood flooring in their products.

2. Mannington

Mannington manufactures a variety of flooring products. It is one of the three leading vinyl flooring brands, with a presence in wood, laminate and tile. Mannington is only available through specialty flooring stores.

3.Lumber Liquidators

Lumber Liquidators, with hundreds of stores across the country, is one of the largest flooring companies in the United States. It offers a variety of engineered hardwood, laminate, softwood and bamboo flooring.

4.Mohawk

The leading carpet manufacturer expanded into hard flooring through acquisitions and partnerships and now offers wood, laminate and vinyl flooring. Mohawk sells stone flooring under the American Olean brand and laminate flooring under the Quick-Step brand. Its Daltile brand accounts for half of sales in all ceramic tile categories.

5.Shaw

This leading carpet manufacturer offers wood, laminate and tile flooring. Shaw is available through home center chains and specialty flooring stores, and has its own retail programs - Shaw Design Centers and Shaw Flooring Alliance - to provide local dealers with expanded product lines, display assistance and training.

6. Tarkett

Tarkett, originally a European linoleum manufacturer, is one of the largest flooring manufacturers in the world. Tarkett offers wood, laminate and vinyl flooring under its own brands, as well as Nafco's luxury vinyl tiles. Tarkett makes FiberFloor, a waterproof flooring that combines the qualities of carpet and vinyl. Tarkett is available through home centers and specialty flooring retailers.

In addition, in addition to the above six types of American flooring brands, there are also Anderson, Forbo, Kentwood, Mullican, and Pergo to choose from! !

丨Things to note when choosing to install flooring

Proper use of samples

Before buying, get a sample of the flooring you plan to choose. Compare their installation locations side by side and consider practicality from different angles and angles.

Comparative consistency

Manufacturers try to match the colors and textures of solid and engineered wood flooring. However, there may be variations from one batch to another, so purchase all the flooring you need at once. On the reverse side, the laminate flooring in a given package may have the same pattern, which may affect the aesthetics if installed too close together. To reduce duplication, rearrange flooring from multiple packages during installation.

Measure to avoid mistakes

To determine how much flooring you need, measure the square footage of the room by multiplying its length by its width. (Divide an irregularly shaped room into smaller rectangles, calculate the square footage of each, and then add them together). Then buy an extra 7% to 10% to avoid mistakes, bad samples, and waste. In addition to adding an additional 7 to 10 percent to the cost, consider purchasing additional floor boxes for future repairs or additions.

Know the high-traffic areas of the house

Common high-traffic areas are living rooms and entry and exit areas of the house. Consider durable flooring for family rooms and other sitting areas frequented by pets and children. For less high-traffic areas, consider one of the top-rated engineered wood or bamboo floors because of their natural finish and ease of installation.

Preparing for floor installation

Before installing wood or laminate flooring, unpack it and let it sit in the space where it will be installed for one to three days to allow its temperature and moisture levels to equilibrate to those found in the room. This is a critical step to prevent warping or unsightly gaps between boards.

Check certification

Vinyl flooring that has passed the industry FloorScore certification emits relatively low levels of volatile organic compounds, which have been linked to health problems and pollution. For wood flooring, certification from the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative ensures that your flooring comes from responsibly managed forests, which is quite environmentally friendly. Check the packaging for product and manufacturer certifications.

Where can I buy flooring?


Shandong Xinhai New Material Ltd Company: Provides various PVC flooring, laminate flooring, baseboards, wpc wall panels and other decoration materials

Shandong Xinhai New Material Ltd Company is a decoration materials sales supplier with 12 years of experience. It is located on Gulou West Road, Economic Development Zone, Gaotang County, Shandong Province. It specializes in selling stone plastic flooring, new waterproof SPC Vinyl lock flooring, laminate flooring, and various PVC Various necessary materials for decoration such as wall skirting and WPC wall panels are welcome to contact us for consultation and visit!

Consultation contact: +86--180-53145308 WeChat ID: 180-53145308

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.xinhai88.cn/

Warehouse address: Gulou West Road, Economic Development Zone, Gaotang County, Shandong Province

Opening hours: 24 hours

Nurnabi Sumon

I help businesses to improve their user experience and 10x the revenue with branding and designing | 100k+ downloads in just 3 months for our project | Founder of Torque

10 个月

I always enjoy learning about different flooring options! Do you have a favorite type of flooring for specific rooms?

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Lydia Li的更多文章

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了