When you’re looking for a new home floor, it’s easy to gravitate toward the materials you’ve always known. After all, if hardwood, stone, ceramic, porcelain, and carpet have stood the test of time, they’re probably solid choices, right?
But because of advances in flooring technology, you don’t have to settle for traditional hardwood or carpet that’s susceptible to staining. Instead, you have a wide range of options that include new materials, features, textures, and colours. Here are some of our top picks for noteworthy flooring innovations in 2019:
1. Floors that look like wood (but aren’t)
Hardwood may look great. But it’s vulnerable to all kinds of damage—scratches, dents, and warping. It can also do some serious damage to your wallet. That’s why floors that resemble the look of wood are one of today’s top flooring innovations.
Flooring materials that can mimic wood include vinyl planks and both ceramic and porcelain tile. These materials are more durable and less susceptible to damage from moisture. For this reason, they’re a great option in rooms in your home that tend to be high in moisture, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. They also offer greater protection if you have kids or pets who may damage solid hardwood floors.
2. Waterproof floors
It used to be the case that if you wanted a waterproof floor, tile was your only option. But because of advances in technology, this isn’t true anymore. Instead, you can get waterproof vinyl, laminate, and even carpet (yes, you read that correctly).
These waterproof flooring materials resemble their traditional counterparts. But instead of being vulnerable to spills, stains, and warping, they’re 100% waterproof. Although waterproof vinyl has become a popular flooring option, waterproof laminate and carpet are newer flooring innovations. However, experts believe that they’ll become increasingly common in homes over time because of the benefits they offer.
3. Textured floors
Homeowners don’t want smooth flooring surfaces anymore. Instead, they want floors with texture. That’s why floors with a textured look, including handscraped, distressed, and wirebrushed floors, have become so popular recently.
What’s the difference between these textured styles? Handscraped floors have long scrapes, and planks can look very different from one another. This gives handscraped floors a unique, handcrafted look. Distressed floors can look a lot like handscraped floors. But they’ve been made to look like they’ve got lots of wear and tear.
Manufacturers accomplish this by creating the look of knots, scrapes, and wormholes in these floors. Lastly, wirebrushed floors have more subtle scratches that provide greater consistency than what you find with handscraped or distressed floors.
Hardwood and laminate are some of the most common flooring materials for textured looks. But manufacturers are now starting to create other options, including textured concrete!
4. Blonde floors
When it came to colour, dark floors used to dominate the flooring landscape. But this isn’t the case anymore. In addition to grey floors, blonde floors have risen in popularity. There’s a good reason why: Blonde floors give a space a light, airy feel, making it look bigger. And because they come in a range of styles, including both chic and rustic looks, they work well in modern kitchens.
Try something new with these top flooring trends
Traditional materials, textures, and colours will always be solid options when you’re searching for a new home floor. But if you want to change up the look of a space or explore a floor that’s less of a hassle to maintain, consider innovative flooring choices that have burst onto the scene thanks to advances in technology. These floors give you more options for creating the look you’ve been dreaming of without sacrificing the features or budget that work for you.
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