Carpet is cozy, but don't scratch off hardwood, bamboo, tile or vinyl Floors
By Teena Hammond Gomez
Special to The Courier-Journal
 Whether you're building a new home or updating a room in an existing one, new flooring will completely change the feel of a room. If you want a warm, cozy feel, go for carpet. It's still in vogue, and the new short shag is growing in popularity, according to Jamie Huber, co-owner of Huber Carpet and Linoleum in Louisville.
‘I would recommend carpet anywhere in the house other than kitchen or bathroom," Huber said. "Carpet can bring color more into a room and add more than probably anything else, but you have to think about how much foot traffic is going to be in that room and the quality of the carpet.
"A lot of people think a berber style with short loops holds up more than a plush type of carpet. It does not. If you don't buy a good quality berber, it will show traffic patterns."
If there are children or pets, opt for carpet with variation in the color to hide the inevitable stains. "Your greens, beiges and browns will always show fewer stains than blues and grays," Huber said. "I always say, look at nature. The browns and greens are on the ground where people walk and the blues and grays are in the sky."
Hardwood is another option for many rooms. Designer Kenneth Hooper of Louisville Interiors Design & Decor said that many of his clients opt for hardwood floors. But, yes, they will scratch. He said, "If you're overly fanatical, use tile or granite. Otherwise, go for hardwood. The first few scratches on hardwood will get on your nerves, but then you get more and they all blend in."
Another option in hardwood flooring is bamboo flooring, which is considered eco-friendly since bamboo is sustainable and can be harvested in as little as six years, compared to the decades it takes for trees to grow.
There are exotic hardwoods beyond the basic oak for a variety of decorating styles -- walnut, cherry, hickory and Lyptus (from a hybrid of two species of eucalyptus) are popular.
Hardwood works in nearly any room, although Hooper recommends carpet in a great room or family room. He suggests using sculpted carpets for a designer feel.
If you want to avoid scratches, go for a laminate floor. This product closely resembles hardwood or tile. "Laminate is probably the most durable product in the flooring market," Huber said.
He added that many of his customers opt for ceramic or porcelain tile. It's crucial to add a sealer to the grout to prevent staining. Tile is great for kitchens, bathrooms, foyers -- anywhere that you want easily maintained flooring that doesn't stain.
Vinyl flooring is still very popular. It is different from linoleum, which is a natural product made from linseed oil. Vinyl is less expensive and easier to install than linoleum.
Whatever flooring you choose, consider your budget and how the room will be used. Ease of cleaning is another consideration. Huber recommends that people buy cleaning products made by the manufacturers of flooring to have the right product for each floor type.
"Whatever you decide on for your home, just make sure to buy the best quality product you can afford and take good care of it, and it should last you for years," Huber said.
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