For many people, starting a family is a dream come true. It can also be very stressful. Raising children from infancy into adulthood is hard. There is a lot of emotional and physical labor involved in rearing a child, and while it is very rewarding, it is also a ton of work.
When families renovate their homes, there are small choices they can make to help with the physical aspect of raising children. Picking easy to clean paints and furniture, for example, are common options. The flooring you choose can also impact your day-to-day chores. Popular flooring choices for families include granite tile and hardwood.
What Is Granite?
Granite is a natural stone, much like slate and marble. It is incredibly durable, much more durable than other flooring options. Granite is also very easy to keep clean and care for on an ongoing basis. Families often find that granite is not susceptible to the same type of wear and tear as other types of flooring.
What Is Hardwood?
Hardwood flooring is another popular choice. It has a warm feeling to it, increasing the coziness of any room it is in. Hardwood is also fairly easy to clean and care for. Costs vary, depending on the type of wood you choose. However, it is not as durable as granite, nor will it last as long.
Ongoing Maintenance Requirements
Granite is exceptionally easy to care for on an ongoing basis. In fact, you should avoid going overboard when it comes to cleaning your tiles. You can keep your floor clean by using a solution of dish soap and distilled water. There are granite-specific products on the market that you can use to clean tiles, too, if you wish.
It is a bit more difficult to clean and care for hardwood flooring than granite. Homeowners should take care to only use cleaning solutions specifically designed for hardwood. You should also be sure to mop up any spills immediately and never let your floors remain wet. This can cause significant damage and discoloration to occur.
Durability
Granite is one of the most durable materials available. It holds up well to high traffic, both from humans and household pets. It will not fade or deteriorate over time, even if it sees a lot of use. Granite is also scratch resistant, making it ideal for kitchens and entry ways.
Hardwood is a relatively durable material, but it will not last nearly as long as granite. You should take care to clean and maintain your hardwood flooring. Most renovating experts advise against using hardwood floors in high traffic areas of your home. It will scratch, fade, and become damaged fast under those types of conditions.
Style Options
Granite is available in a wide variety of colors and styles. As a result, it is easy to find the perfect floor for any area of your home. You can easily find granite tiles to compliment virtually any style. This versatility makes it easy to use granite in multiple areas of your home without it feeling overwhelming. Homeowners often have granite tiles, backsplashes, fireplaces, and countertops.
Hardwood does offer some flexibility in terms of style choice. However, you are limited to certain stains and shades. Homeowners who want more choice in terms of flooring may feel limited by those available with hardwood.
The Bottom Line
Granite flooring is perfect for families, regardless of the age of their children. Granite’s durability means that it will remain beautiful regardless of any damage your children may inflict. It will also hold up against high food traffic. Granite is also easy to keep clean, taking very little time. For families with children, granite tiles are the best choice.