Chicago Flooring Renovation Choices

by Jennifer Weldon

If you are renovating or remodeling a room or rooms in your Chicago home, replacing your flooring is probably a priority. In fact, by replacing the flooring, you may find you do not need to do as much other renovation work. A new floor can transform a room. Before you can decide which flooring material to use, you should consider all of your options.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring has a long lifespan and is pretty durable. Hardwood flooring is not scratch-resistant however and pets or high heels can damage the wood.

Oak, pine, maple and ash are popular hardwood choices and the easiest on your wallet. Rarer woods such as walnut, cherry or teak will cost more but evoke a rich, warm look. You may want to use these rarer woods as inlays in a foyer, or a border in a dining room. By combining different woods and stains, you can create a striking pattern or design to use as a medallion in the foyer.

Regardless of the type of wood you select, you can stain the hardwoods any color you choose. While there are a wide variety of traditional stain colors, custom colors are seeing a rise in popularity. Even bold colors such as red or green are being used in specific rooms. You may want to seek the advice of a professional contractor or designer to ensure you will be pleased with the final results.

Bamboo and cork flooring are gaining in popularity as alternatives to traditional hardwood floors. These both provide even more durability and their eco-friendly qualities can make it quickly jump to the top of your list. Bamboo is harvested every five years, unlike hardwoods which take many years to reach maturity. Your contractor can keep you abreast of the latest products on the market.

Carpeting

Typically, carpeting will need to be replaced every 5-20 years due to general wear and tear. There are many different styles of carpets on the market today. Evaluate the room you will be using it in before selecting your carpet. Different carpeting works better for different uses.

Traditional carpet that most of us are familiar with is called plush or cut-pile carpet. The loops are cut so only the ends of the yarn stick up. This carpet is soft beneath your feet and you will sink in if it is very dense, such as Saxony plush. It can be very comfortable for bedrooms. Plush carpet will show footprints, vacuum markets, and other wear marks.

Berber carpet is not cut, so the loop remains in place. Berber is more durable than plush carpet, making it a popular choice for game rooms and family rooms. One thing to be careful of however, is that berber carpet can snag if a pet nail or other sharp object hooks into a loop and pulls. Most carpets are made of synthetic materials such as nylon. Synthetic carpet is cost effective and easier to keep clean. A much more expensive carpet material is wool. Wool is more comfortable and durable than synthetic. However, deep stains are hard to remove and sunlight will fade it.

Tile

Nothing beats tile for withstanding foot traffic, pet traffic, and general wear and tear. Tile can be made of ceramic or natural stone. The wide variety of patterns, colors, and textures can create almost any look and bring warmth and beauty to a home.

Stone tile may be made of slate, limestone, flagstone, marble or granite. It is an aggregate made from real stone and less expensive than actual stone pieces. Depending on which stone material you are using, price and look can vary. Marble and granite exudes luxury and formality and is more costly than other stones. The high gloss finish must be maintained by regular polishing and buffing. For a more natural look, choose from limestone or sandstone. These are also less expensive.

Ceramic tile is made from fired clay and it may or may not be glazed. A glazed tile is smoother and more water resistant. Unglazed tiles have more textures and appear more natural looking. Tiles come in a variety of patterns, shapes, and sizes. A professional contractor can create many different looks from the same family of tiles by creating designs and patterns.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is an excellent option for households that are rough on their floors. It is very durable, water resistant and scratch resistant. This type of flooring is a wood veneer pressed onto a plywood backing. Each plank locks into place with the plank next to it, creating a floating floor. Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of finishes and styles and can mimic the look of hardwood, tile, brick, stone and more. Laminate flooring is also very easy to maintain and in Chicago, can last for many years.