When it comes to flooring conversations, we often talk about flooring options for inside the home or office but forget about another key area: the outside space. Perhaps to an even greater degree than any inside space, the kind of flooring you install outdoors is going to control the look and feel of the area. It’s a very important decision and not something to be taken lightly.
What Floors Should You Get in Your Home?
Hardwood Flooring: Hard to Say No
Hardwood flooring is one of the best options for outside flooring. It’s sturdy and has shown through history that it will handle the elements. Hardwood is also relatively abundant, which keeps the pricing down.
However, when considering flooring for an outdoor space, it’s essential to consider how a flooring option deals with the elements. Hardwood alone deals with rain and the problems it can create on a regular basis just about better than any material, provided it’s 100% natural hardwood and not the engineered stuff. Its ability to handle rain, snow, sleet and anything else skyrockets when you factor in the special treatments and finishes commonly available today. There are multiple types of treatments and finishes out there and we’re happy to help you figure out the one that’s best for you.
Ceramic Tiles: Paving the Way
Since you want a flooring material that can deal with a little moisture in the air (or a lot of moisture, in Nashville’s case), consider ceramic and cement tiles. There is a reason you’ve frequently seen them outside, after all.
Ceramic and cement tiling are some of the least absorbent materials on the market. There’s simply nowhere for the moisture to go. Ceramic is surprisingly comfortable under foot and maintenance is a breeze. If one of the tiles breaks, you only need to worry about replacing that one particular tile, not the entire floor. Aesthetics are on your side as well. There are so many tiling options to choose from!
Rubber Flooring: the Softer Option
If neither of these flooring options sound right to you, you could always go with something really soft, like rubber. Rubber flooring is relatively cheap, very eco-friendly, durable, and handles moisture like a champion.
Rubber flooring is a wise material to consider if you have smaller children or plan on having children in the future. Their safety is just one less thing to worry about due to the way in which rubber flooring can easily break a fall. Additionally, rubber flooring is one of the best flooring materials for noise reduction due to the way it absorbs sound. It’s also a great choice if you are an active person because it allows you to easily create an outdoor workout space.
Just because the space is outdoors doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about the floor. Patios and outdoor recreational areas need flooring attention too, which is why the professionals at Ozburn-Hessey recommend using traditional hardwood flooring, rubber flooring, or ceramic tiles. Contact us today with any questions.
