Now that summer is near, people who own a beach home are getting the place ready. Other than spring cleaning, one of the things that need to be considered in a beach home is the right flooring. Beach homes usually have heavy traffic during the summer months, and combining this with the sand, heat, and humidity, you will find that the flooring can pay quite a toll. What type of beach house flooring should you select? Read on for some practical flooring tips.
- Laminate: Unlike the first generation of laminate flooring, the newer generation is vastly improved both in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Further, laminate is available in many styles, designs, and colors to better match the rest of your beach home decor. More importantly, it can withstand a considerable amount of foot traffic, spills is moisture resistant, and is relatively cheap. You can have laminate flooring that imitates elegant mosaic tiles or hardwood. It is a great material for beach house flooring.
- Hardwood: If you are looking for something more elegant, then you should consider hardwood for your beach wood flooring. Hardwood has been around for decades and it can impart elegance and beauty, as well as ruggedness. There are many types of hardwood flooring and the ultimate choice is a matter of personal preference. Hardwood is durable, easy to maintain, and clean. It will stand up to heavy foot traffic, but the one downside is that it does not tolerate moisture well. You should always clean up all liquid spills immediately to prevent damage.
- Engineered Hardwood: If you want hardwood flooring that is moisture-resistant, go with engineered hardwood. This particular type of flooring is composed of top-quality plywood, with a thin layer of durable wood adhered to the top surface. The layers of hardwood are constructed in a criss-cross pattern and compressed, which results in a final product that is extremely durable, strong, and stable. Engineered hardwood, unlike regular hardwood, flooring can withstand high humidity without sustaining damage. The downside is that engineered hardwood is also quite expensive.
- Tile: Most beach homes are exposed to high heat and humidity. One of the best ways to cool the home is to use tile flooring. Tiles are available in many sizes, designs, colors, and styles. More importantly, tile flooring can help keep a home cool. Tile is also easy to clean, maintain, and is moisture resistant. Tiles can be installed in almost any room of the home except for the bedroom. By choosing the right color, it can also brighten the beach home. Unlike many other flooring options, tile is relatively inexpensive. If your beach home is next to the water, tiles should be the first flooring option.
- Vinyl: Another great option for beach house flooring is vinyl. The latest luxury vinyl flooring is stylish, comes in many colors and designs, and is very durable. More importantly, vinyl is relatively cheap, easy to maintain, and clean. Another great feature about vinyl is that it is relatively moisture-resistant and can withstand heavy foot traffic. Vinyl can be installed in almost any room in the beach house without compromising aesthetics. There are so many design options available that you can customize your home according to the needs and style. Vinyl can even simulate the look and feel of other flooring styles, such as tile or hardwood, but at much less cost.
What To Avoid
If you are considering beach house flooring, then it is also important to know what flooring to avoid. Carpet is a poor choice as it can quickly accumulate sand and become soaked with water. Carpets are also prone to stains and if you are going to be having regular get-togethers, this is another reason to avoid carpet. No matter what flooring you select, the important thing is to maintain it. For example, if you have beach wood flooring, then always clean any spills promptly and keep the home on the dry side as wood does not tolerate moisture well. Finally, if you are going to have a high amount of foot traffic at the beach home and/or if you have pets and children, consider an affordable option like vinyl or laminate. These two floorings are durable, easy to clean, and very affordable. If you remain undecided, speak to a professional at East Coast Flooring to determine what flooring will be best for your beach home.