In many cases a concrete floor already exists, installed beneath other floor surface materials in your home. Concrete is the material generally used in the foundation of a structure, and so these surfaces can usually be found on first floor and or below grade environments. In some cases concrete may structure the entire building, and these surfaces will also be available on second and higher floor locations.

Concrete is strong, durable, and functional, but there are reasons why people use other materials to cover it up. In the old days this was often a design consideration, although today there are many different ways to change the look and feel of a concrete floor.

Today the most common complaint about concrete is that it is cold, hard, and impersonal. While you can create textures and patterns in its surface to improve the look of the floor, there isn't much that can be done about the feel of it beneath your feet. This makes concrete inappropriate for certain locations. At the same time, concrete flooring is being used in more interior spaces than ever.

Further Reading: The Pros and Cons of Concrete

So where do you stand on the concrete flooring issue? Do you love it or hate it? Would you strip floors in your home and go with concrete? And if so, which rooms do you think it would look best in? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

Image courtesy of © ConcreteDesigns.biz

It's a little bit cliché, and is even offensive to some writers, but in many ways it's true. When you are going to purchase a floor for your home, finding pictures of different materials in different decor's and environments is one of the best ways to figure out exactly how it will look and feel in our own setting.

If possible you should also visit places where that flooring is installed so that you can get an idea of how it feels, and the kind of presence that it has in a space. This is not always possible, but sometimes public buildings will have various different floor materials installed, giving you a chance to get some hands on time with the material.

The following are links to several photo galleries that we have put together centered around different types of flooring materials. Take a look through them, and you will get a pretty good idea of how each material will look in a variety of locations.

Rubber Flooring Images
Cork Flooring Picture Gallery
Laminate Flooring Examples

Image courtesy of © Portstone

When you set out to purchase any type of flooring there is some basic information that you need to know. This includes things such as pricing, maintenance requirements, and durability. You then have to pick a material which matches your particular situation. This will ensure that your flooring is cost effective, resilient, and able to withstand the rigors of the environment it is being placed in.

In my latest article, I discuss the ins and out of buying laminate flooring . Durable, inexpensive, and easy to maintain, this is a great floor for high traffic locations. However there are drawbacks to this material. Environmental considerations, as well as the inability to refinish these floors makes many people think twice about purchasing laminate coverings.

What do you think about laminate floors? Are you a fan or a foe? What about the environmental concerns? Let us know in the comments below.

Image © FloorMall

Laminate is a durable material that is relatively inexpensive, low maintenance, and can be installed by even amateur do it yourselfers. It can also be printed to look like just about any other flooring in the world, including bamboo, hardwood, cork, brick, or natural stone. This makes it a popular floor in a variety of locations, both commercial and private.

So is laminate flooring a super material? It is quite durable, but over time the surface of it can become scratched. When this happens, the floor cannot be refinished, it has to be replaced.

However a high quality laminate will often come with a warranty which will give you an idea of how long it should last if properly maintained. In some cases this warranty will be for as many as 20 years. However you have to check the warranty details careful to ensure that you do not void it.

You can find out more about Laminate flooring from the following articles:

Laminate Floor Buying Guide
Laminate Flooring Image Gallery
Laminate Floor Pros and Cons

Image © FloorMall