Barndominiums are fantastic structures if you want to customize your home in a certain way. This includes the flooring. For most of your waking moments living in your dream barndominium home, the floor is the one part of the house you are in constant contact with. Whether planning to build a barndo or renovate your barndo home, you have come to the right place for barndominium flooring ideas.
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What are the Different Types of Barndominium Flooring?
Tile Flooring
A great choice for your floors is tile flooring. They typically come in porcelain, ceramic, and even glass materials. Tiles are popular because they come in various styles, shapes, colors, and patterns. Tiles can be used anywhere in your barndominium home, but these are common for bathrooms and kitchens. They are popular for their resistance to scratches and stains. Additionally, they feel good under your feet and are easy to keep clean. Though they are durable and stylish, their downside is that they can be time-consuming to install.
It is also worth noting that the top coat will start to chip off after around five years of wear and tear. Maintenance can be tricky because replacing a tile can damage neighboring tiles. Thus, you will have to replace a chunk of the flooring. In addition, it is important to consider your local climate and floor heating because tiles can be cold on the feet.
Laminate Flooring
This type of flooring is mainly made out of synthetic materials. It is usually made to look like hardwood or stone for aesthetic purposes. Laminate flooring is popular among homeowners and builders because it is a relatively cheap option and easy to install. Laminate flooring is available in a ton of different styles and a variety of colors. It can also withstand a lot of foot traffic.
One of the drawbacks of laminate flooring is that it doesn’t have the same feel and look as natural materials such as wood and stone. It is also susceptible to liquid damage. Saturation with liquid can cause the boards to wobble, discolor, and crumble. Planks or tiles that have been affected by water must be completely replaced. This leads to another disadvantage — they can’t be refinished. A laminate floor can never be resurfaced due to its composite construction and wear layer. Laminate flooring needs to be changed after it has been worn out or damaged.
Hardwood Flooring
The classic and timeless option is hardwood flooring. The natural color and texture of the wood bring elegance and warmth into the room. It comes in various colors, shapes, and types of wood. Each type of wood has its own aesthetic element, as well as unique characteristics that can be functional. Oak is known for its durability and resistance to moisture. Maple will give your floor a uniform grain pattern. Bamboo is an eco-friendly option that can make for attractive flooring.
Keep in mind that hardwood flooring is sensitive to humidity and moisture. Even a small amount of moisture can cause the wood to degrade. So, it is important to avoid spilling any kind of liquid on the floor. Hardwood flooring can also be prone to termite damage.
With all the choices available, you are sure to choose a wood species that is both appealing and durable. On that note, it is important to consider cost when choosing. Some wood species may be more expensive than others, adding to your overall barndominium cost.
Stained Concrete Flooring
Appearance-wise, it’s hard to imagine concrete being a stylish option for your barndominium home. That’s where the staining process comes in. This process can add textures, patterns, and color to the concrete, making it absolutely stunning. Everyone knows concrete is a highly-durable material. No questions about that. But did you know concrete is an eco-friendly option, too?
Concrete is a guilt-free option for homeowners concerned about their environmental impact. In addition, stained concrete is typically less expensive than most types of flooring. Although, the cost depends on the complexity of the staining process. Keep in mind that concrete will naturally develop hairline cracks due to expansion. The visibility of cracks can affect the appearance of your flooring.
The cost is crucial information when planning the financing of your barndominium. Make sure you ask your contractor about potential price differences.
Polished Concrete Flooring
Polished concrete involves a process that grinds down the surface of the concrete using progressively finer grinding tools to create a smooth and glossy surface. This results in a highly reflective surface. They are highly resistant to moisture and stains, making them easy to clean and maintain. Polished concrete is a terrific choice for anyone looking for a sleek and modern look with their open barndominium floor plans.
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As mentioned earlier, concrete flooring will naturally show hairline cracks. This is important to keep in mind in case cracks on your flooring will be a deal breaker for you.
Natural Stone Flooring
Another durable and luxurious option for flooring is Natural stone. These come in many unique colors, patterns, and various types of natural stone. This includes marble, granite, and limestone. Natural stone is highly durable. It can withstand heavy foot traffic for multiple human lifetimes. Generally, though, natural stone is more expensive than other types of flooring. In addition, installation can be complex and may require a professional’s help. If those things don’t concern you, natural flooring alongside your custom floor plan can be an excellent choice. The aesthetic value wouldn’t let you down as you have a wide range of choices for styles that can range from a polished to a rustic feel.
There are a couple of drawbacks to stone flooring. One of the biggest is its weight. It may need a structural substrate and additional fasteners. It is also vulnerable to water damage, scratches, and chipping. Another disadvantage is that it can increase the risk of falls because there is less cushioning from the floor due to the natural strength of stone flooring, and slip and fall accidents may be more serious.
Vinyl Flooring
Due to its durability, affordability, and versatility, vinyl flooring has become a popular choice for many homeowners. This type of flooring is made from a synthetic material known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic. Vinyl flooring comes in two primary types: sheet vinyl and vinyl plank. Sheet vinyl is supplied in large rolls and is ideal for quickly covering large areas. Vinyl plank, on the other hand, can imitate the appearance of hardwood flooring but is simpler to install and maintain.
The disadvantage of vinyl flooring is that it can fade over time, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. Once damaged, it cannot be repaired as you need to replace the damaged section, which might cause damage to the adjacent vinyl tile, especially when the adhesive is too sticky. Also, some vinyl tiles have little adhesion, causing them to detach easily.
Some types of vinyl flooring emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful to human health. Additionally, vinyl flooring is not biodegradable, making it a concern for eco-conscious individuals. When selecting vinyl flooring, it is recommended to choose low-VOC or VOC-free options to avoid any potential health hazards.
Carpet Flooring
For added comfort, many people choose carpet flooring in bedrooms and living spaces. This gives the room a cozy feel making it the perfect place to lounge. Carpet flooring does a great job of capturing dust particles, thus improving the room’s air quality. Carpet flooring is a low-cost option, but regular cleaning is required.
How to Choose Flooring for Your Barndominium
Cost
Your budget is one of the biggest factors to consider when choosing your barndo flooring. You have to factor in the size of your floor plan and how much flooring you need. You will also need to consider the difficulty of installing the flooring. Complex flooring designs may take more time to install and will affect cost.
Lifestyle
Your family’s lifestyle is something to consider as you make this decision. If the room is a playroom for children, a hardwood floor might not be the best option. Likewise, you may want to avoid carpets if you have pets running around. These are just examples of how your day-to-day life must be considered when choosing your flooring.
Local Climate
To ensure comfortable living, you need to choose the type of flooring appropriate to your local climate. If you are building your barndo in a place with cool winters, you need to ensure the flooring is compatible with a heating system. You may also want to look into barndominium insulation to ensure your barndo home is energy-efficient.
Maintenance
To ensure your flooring is in tip-top condition, it is important to understand its maintenance requirements. Different textures and materials will require different cleaning products. For some, spilled liquid can be wiped off easily, but not so much for others. Certain types of flooring might require daily polishing to look good. These little details should be considered, as low-maintenance flooring is ideal.
Aesthetics
Looks matter too! The flooring should complement the design of your interior and the overall barndominium theme. Hardwood flooring will make more sense for barndominiums with many wood design elements. If the house has a lot of metal and exposed bricks, polished concrete will tie it together for an industrial look. Check out our Instagram Page for ideas on various interior designs.
What’s the Best Barndominium Flooring Option for This List?
Realistically speaking, there is no best option as it all depends on the above-mentioned things. The minimalist design of concrete flooring would look great for contemporary houses. At the same time, tile flooring is perfect if you need flooring that’s resistant to liquid and moisture.
If we had to pick from the list, we would go for hardwood floors. This classic design simply works for most houses. It doesn’t matter what kind of aesthetic you are going for. There is a type of wood out there that will be perfect for the design. Hardwood floors can also be sanded and polished multiple times, making them a great choice long-term.
If you want to ask other barndominium owners their opinion on the best flooring option, you can join our Facebook Group.
Conclusion
Now that you have a good understanding of your choices for different types of barndominium flooring, you know that no one best type of flooring stands above the rest. It all depends on many factors that are important to consider.
Since you are looking into barndominiums, you can check out our Facebook Page for more content on alternative housing solutions such as prefab homes, shipping container homes, and pole barn homes
