When it comes to building or remodeling a home, there are a lot of decisions to make. One of the most important is choosing the right type of flooring. It's important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular types of flooring so you can make an informed decision. Cork is a great option for luxury vinyl planks and tiles.
It comes in two forms: thinner half-pound cork and denser but more expensive 2-pound cork. Cork is known for its damping and sound-damping qualities, making it a great choice for any room. Felt is commonly used on wood, tile, and concrete subfloors. It's an affordable option that can help warm up concrete floors.
Plywood is one of the best options for use under tiles, and it's sometimes installed specifically to serve as a subfloor for vinyl floors. Laminate flooring is a popular choice due to its affordability and wide range of color, style, and finish options. However, it's important to remember that laminate flooring has its drawbacks. It can't be repainted like real wood, and it's weak in response to moisture.
Floating floors are another popular option, but they come with their own set of pros and cons. One of the biggest drawbacks is that they can be noisy due to the space between the floating floors and subfloors. However, this problem can be addressed by choosing the right material and base layer. Additionally, a suitable subfloor can almost completely mitigate sound problems.