Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 22, 2014 Get the 411 on various popular flooring options Choosing the right flooring for a home is no small task. Flooring is expensive, so homeowners want to make the best decision possible so their choice of floor- ing is not one they regret and ultimately replace in the years to come. When choosing flooring for their homes, many hom- eowners are overwhelmed by the options at their dis- posal. Each type of flooring can look great in its own way, which is why homeowners may struggle to find the right fit for their homes. Getting educated about flooring is a great way to make the process of choosing a floor much less overwhelming and more enjoyable. The fol- lowing are some of the more popular flooring options homeowners will encounter in their search. Hardwood: Nearly everyone is familiar with hard- wood floors, which are durable, warm, and a favorite of homeowners aiming for a traditional look. Homes with open floor plans often benefit from hardwood flooring, as it creates the feeling of continuity that homeowners hope to achieve with open floor plans. Various species of hardwood are available, including oak, maple, and cherry. These choices typically vary in price, with more exotic imported options carrying hefty price tags. More traditional hardwood flooring is less expensive, and solid wood flooring can be refinished several times to increase its lifespan. Engineered wood: Engineered wood is less suscep- tible to temperature changes and humidity than solid wood, and some new varieties of engineered wood include substrates made from recycled wood fiber and stone dust, which may appeal to eco-friendly homeown- ers. Men and women who want to install their own floors may prefer engineered wood, which is now avail- able in self-locking parquet or plank squares that can be installed without using glue or nails. Bamboo: Bamboo is another flooring alternative that is popular among eco-conscious homeowners, as it comes from plants that regenerate quickly and is there- fore considered a sustainable material. Bamboo flooring is made of strands of bamboo that are glued together, forming engineered planks or solid strips. Bamboo flooring is strong and able to resist the negative effects of fluctuating humidity, which include swelling and contraction. Many people prefer the fresh, bright feel of bamboo flooring. Laminate: Laminate flooring is among the less expensive flooring materials to buy and install. Hom- eowners who purchase laminate flooring have an array of options to choose from, and floating laminate floor- ing systems can be installed over existing floors without glue or nails. Some find laminate flooring is indistin- guishable from real wood, but the plastic coating that makes up the top layer of laminate flooring is often a giveaway that the floors are laminate and not real wood. Similar in construction to engineered wood, laminate flooring differs because its top layer is a photographic imprint on the face of each board, whereas engineered wood is made up of real hardwood veneer attached to several layers of plywood. Cork: Cork is another sustainable flooring material that is a favorite among homeowners who want to make their homes more eco-friendly. The appearance of cork floors is unlike many flooring materials, as it is speckled thanks to unusual grain patterns of the trees from which it is harvested. Cork flooring is popular in kitchens and bathrooms because cork tiles have a naturally nonslip surface that makes areas of a home where floors get wet safer. Cork flooring may need to be resealed every few years to guard against stains and potential moisture issues. Flooring choices vary greatly, and it is easy for hom- eowners to become overwhelmed by all of the options at their disposal. Taking time to understand each of those options can make the process of choosing a floor that much more enjoyable.