The beauty of building your custom home is choosing the elements that best suit you. Your flooring is something you may not think too much about. But your flooring choice is about more than just looks – it’s about safety, maintenance, and lifestyle.

The three most popular flooring options, tile, hardwood, and carpet, all have different qualities that may or may not suit your life. So, to help you choose the best flooring for you, here are the pros and cons of each option.

Tile Floors

Tiles are incredibly versatile and come in various patterns and colours to suit anyone’s taste. There are many costs and benefits to reflect on.

Pros of Tile

Tile is incredibly low maintenance. They’re simple to install and easy to keep clean – you can just wipe tile down with water. As an affordable flooring option, tile is easy to upgrade down the road.

If you have kids, tile is really forgiving, and you don’t have to worry about bacteria, stains, and damage.

Cons of Tiles

Unfortunately, tile shows every speck of dust, so if you’re easily bothered by the details, the constant wiping will become a chore. If you get anything on the floor, it can be slippery, which can be dangerous if the people in your household don’t pay attention.

Hardwood Floors

Timeless and always on-trend, hardwood floors are elegant and an environmentally friendly option to consider.

Pros of Hardwood

Well-maintained hardwood floors are durable and can last for up to twenty years – if you want to retouch them over the years, you can get them sanded and sealed to look like new. They’re easy to clean but depending on the wear of your floor, you’ll need to have the floors polished every five years.

Cons of Hardwood

Hardwood is easily the most expensive option because of the high quality and the labour that goes into the installation. They are vulnerable to moisture, so there is a risk of mould and fungus. Water will also warp the wood, making the boards noticeably shrink and expand, leaving it looking old and worn.

Carpet

Carpet is classic and popular – in the 80s and 90s, carpet was everywhere in homes. They’re practical but still come in a variety of colours, textures, and styles that you can choose from.

Pros of Carpet

Living somewhere cold for a large portion of the year makes carpet popular here. Carpet retains heat better than other flooring and is soft and comfortable. Carpets are a great option if you have kids because it’s safer for them to play on carpeted floors over tile or hardwood. If they fall or trip, they have a little extra cushion to break their fall.

Cons of Carpet

If you want a floor that will last, carpet may not be the best choice – it wears down and will need replacing long before hardwood or tile. Another concern comes from allergens, dust, pet hair, and stains that the carpet holds onto. You’ll need to steam and clean your carpets occasionally to keep them fresh.

Bottom Line

Choosing flooring for your home can feel overwhelming – it’s about more than looking good. You want something practical for your lifestyle that will be comfortable and make you happy.

Whether you have a flooring option you love or feel torn, our team can present all the options for you to consider and help you visualize the result. Whatever you choose, your new-build home will be the perfect fit for you.