Welcome to a new year! What are your goals and plans? If remodeling has made the list, a good place to start is with the flooring.
What’s that? You aren’t sure which floors will suit you best? The current flooring trends provide something for everyone. You’re going to love these floors.
Soft Flooring: Paving the Way for Comfortable and Accessible Living
As our population ages, the concept of “aging in place” has become increasingly important in home design. This shift in perspective directly impacts the flooring choices homeowners make, with a growing preference for softer materials over traditional, harder surfaces like tile. Soft flooring options, particularly luxury vinyl, are emerging as a frontrunner in this trend, offering a perfect blend of comfort, durability, and accessibility.
What Constitutes Soft Flooring?
Soft flooring materials are characterized by their yielding and comfortable texture, providing a more forgiving surface underfoot compared to their rigid counterparts. While traditional hardwood and tile have long dominated the flooring market, soft flooring options like luxury vinyl are gaining traction for their ability to create a more inviting and comfortable living environment.
Luxury vinyl is a synthetic flooring material that replicates the look of natural materials like hardwood or stone. It consists of multiple layers, typically including a resilient backing layer, a vinyl core, a high-resolution photographic layer to mimic the desired pattern, and a protective wear layer. This composition results in a flooring solution that not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also provides a softer feel underfoot.
Types of Soft Flooring to Consider
Luxury Vinyl Planks are designed to resemble hardwood planks, offering the warmth and elegance of wood without the maintenance challenges. Luxury Vinyl Planks are available in a variety of styles and colors, allowing homeowners to achieve the desired aesthetic without compromising on comfort.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles mimic the appearance of natural stone or ceramic tiles. They provide the durability of vinyl with the added advantage of a softer surface. It is an excellent choice for areas where the look of tile is desired but with a more forgiving feel.
Carpet Tiles provide a truly plush and luxurious feel. They come in a range of textures and colors, allowing for creative and customizable flooring solutions. Additionally, carpet tiles are easily replaced if damaged, making them a practical choice for long-term use.
Why Soft Flooring is a Wise Investment Now
As the population ages, the need for comfortable and accessible living spaces becomes paramount. Soft flooring, especially luxury vinyl, provides the ideal solution, offering a cushioned surface that reduces the risk of slips and falls, making it an excellent choice for individuals looking to age in place.
Soft flooring options like luxury vinyl are both comfortable and durable and low-maintenance. They are resistant to stains, scratches, and moisture, ensuring longevity and ease of care – essential factors for homeowners seeking a hassle-free flooring solution.
With an array of styles and patterns to choose from, soft flooring allows homeowners to express their personal style while maintaining a comfortable living space. Whether replicating the look of hardwood or achieving a sleek, modern aesthetic with tile patterns, luxury vinyl provides the versatility to complement any design scheme.
Smart and Heated Flooring: Bringing More Comfort and Efficiency
What do you think of when you think of flooring and efficiency? Increasingly, the trend is turning to smart technology. For flooring, it’s about integrating new materials and styles with smart technology and heating options.
This emerging trend, deeply rooted in the broader movement towards smart home technology, prioritizes convenience and energy efficiency, and the selection of flooring materials that seamlessly integrate with these innovative systems.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
Known for their excellent heat conductivity, ceramic and porcelain tiles are ideal choices for homes incorporating heated flooring systems. These tiles efficiently transfer heat, providing a consistent and comfortable warmth across the floor surface.
Ensure the tiles are installed over a well-insulated subfloor to maximize the heating system’s effectiveness. It’s also crucial to select a thermostat-compatible flooring option for optimal integration with smart home heating controls.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is a popular choice for its ability to resist warping or damage caused by temperature fluctuations. This makes it a suitable flooring option for spaces where heated flooring is desired.
To ensure compatibility with smart home technology, choose engineered hardwood suitable for radiant heating systems. Additionally, proper installation is key to preventing any issues related to expansion and contraction.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring, with its versatility and durability, has also joined the ranks of flooring options compatible with heated systems. It provides a softer surface compared to traditional hard materials, contributing to a cozy and comfortable living space.
Opt for luxury vinyl that is specifically designed for use with radiant heating systems. Confirm compatibility with smart thermostats to fully leverage the benefits of a connected and controlled home environment.
Smart Carpets
Innovative technologies have paved the way for smart carpets that integrate with home automation systems. These carpets can be equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, allowing for a more responsive and energy-efficient heating experience.
When exploring smart carpet options, consider the compatibility with your chosen heating system. Additionally, ensure that the carpet’s construction and materials are suitable for use with radiant heating.
Why Smart and Heated Flooring is a Game-Changer
Smart and heated flooring systems provide unparalleled comfort, allowing homeowners to enjoy a consistently warm and inviting living space.
By integrating with smart home technology, these flooring systems can be programmed and controlled remotely, optimizing energy consumption and reducing utility costs.
The combination of advanced technology and compatible flooring materials creates a luxurious ambiance in the home. This trend adds a touch of opulence and aligns with the growing desire for connected and intelligent living spaces.
Flooring Trends: What Is The Right Choice For You?
Ultimately, flooring is all about comfort and style. Does it work with your lifestyle? Will you enjoy it as much a year from now as you do today? How about five years from now?
Flooring trends today were established years ago with the latest technological advances in mind. What you’re seeing today was crafted from what we desired. And it continues to drive the marketplace forward.
Start with your goals, your desires. What do you want from your flooring?
Then, keep an open mind and stop by. We’ll show you the latest technology and help you select the perfect flooring for your space.
Flooring you’ll love for years to come.