Pick the Best Flooring for Your Creative Space
We give you the lowdown on carpet, concrete, cork and more flooring options so you can focus on your art or craft
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over at Lauren Elise Crafted where I highlight crafts, DIYs and tutorials, photography, vintage finds, and all things lovely.
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over... More »
A handful of components go into setting up the perfect creative space: enough room, the right supplies, easy access to tools and simple organization — there is a lot to think about.
And if you are building your studio from scratch or remodeling an existing space, you need to consider surface materials, too. What flooring will you install? Is wood or tile best? What are the alternatives? Not all surfaces are created equal. The key is to find the best option for the specific art or craft you practice.
Here are the pros and cons for the most common surface materials, including examples of ideal environments.
And if you are building your studio from scratch or remodeling an existing space, you need to consider surface materials, too. What flooring will you install? Is wood or tile best? What are the alternatives? Not all surfaces are created equal. The key is to find the best option for the specific art or craft you practice.
Here are the pros and cons for the most common surface materials, including examples of ideal environments.
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| Hardwood Pros: • Durability • Can be refinished multiple times • Warm look and feel Cons: • Not ideal for frequent contact with water, which can cause warping • Can dent or scratch easily • Color fades in sunlight Wood flooring has a timeless beauty that complements any decor style and adds value to a property. It's a larger investment up front, but it's very durable and has a long life. Even if it dents and scratches, hardwood can be refinished multiple times to recapture the original look. Although it's not as soft as carpet, hardwood is softer than tile or concrete. If you are a painter who stands at your easel or a photographer who moves around the studio to capture your shot, this flooring alternative is ideal. Just be wary of water and liquids. If they come into contact with the wood often, your floor could become permanently warped or stained. |
by Koydol Inc.
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Laminate
If you want the look of hardwood or stone without the cost, laminate flooring is a less expensive option. Laminate flooring has a photographic layer on top that imitates the texture of natural materials.
Pros:
• Less expensive than other options
• Does not stain or fade like hardwood, or scratch or scuff as easily as tile
• Easy installation without professional help, thanks to snap-together panels
Cons:
• Damaged surfaces cannot be refinished like hardwood and will need to be replaced
Tile
Pros:
• Durable
• Less absorbent; good for wet environments
• Easier installation than stone or concrete; could be DIY project
• Many design possibilities
Cons:
• Sharp items can crack or chip the surface
• Transmits sound
• Hard and slippery surface
With countless design possibilities, tile can work for any aesthetic. The tile in this example looks just like hardwood! It's also very durable, so it's practical for high-traffic areas. Since tile is less absorbent than concrete and wood, it's ideal for environments with water, paints and other liquids. Like concrete, tile is a hard surface and transmits sound easily, so it may not be fitting as flooring in a music space or in a room where people are standing for long periods of time.
If you want the look of hardwood or stone without the cost, laminate flooring is a less expensive option. Laminate flooring has a photographic layer on top that imitates the texture of natural materials.
Pros:
• Less expensive than other options
• Does not stain or fade like hardwood, or scratch or scuff as easily as tile
• Easy installation without professional help, thanks to snap-together panels
Cons:
• Damaged surfaces cannot be refinished like hardwood and will need to be replaced
Tile
Pros:
• Durable
• Less absorbent; good for wet environments
• Easier installation than stone or concrete; could be DIY project
• Many design possibilities
Cons:
• Sharp items can crack or chip the surface
• Transmits sound
• Hard and slippery surface
With countless design possibilities, tile can work for any aesthetic. The tile in this example looks just like hardwood! It's also very durable, so it's practical for high-traffic areas. Since tile is less absorbent than concrete and wood, it's ideal for environments with water, paints and other liquids. Like concrete, tile is a hard surface and transmits sound easily, so it may not be fitting as flooring in a music space or in a room where people are standing for long periods of time.
| Concrete Pros: • Durable when sealed properly • Easy to clean and maintain • Ecofriendly and energy saving • Many design options Cons: • Needs resealing occasionally to prevent staining • Transmits sound and creates echos • Requires professional installation Concrete is becoming more mainstream for creative spaces due to its durability and easy maintenance. The installation process is more expensive, but overall it can offset energy costs. Concrete is porous, so protecting it with sealant is critical. The less foot traffic, the less often it'll need to be resealed. A busy gallery will need to reseal often, while a home studio will rarely have to. It is susceptible to cracking too, and things like heavy machinery might increase this possibility. |
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| Concrete would not be ideal for music studios or small rooms with loud machinery noise. If you or anyone else will be standing on concrete for extended periods of time, you may need to consider rugs or padded mats for cushioning. |
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by REFINED LLC
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| Carpet Pros: • Adds an extra layer of insulation and boosts energy efficiency • Cushioning • Greatly reduces sound • Nonslip surface Cons: • Collects dust and dirt • Stains will require it to be replaced • Consistent moisture makes it prone to mold |
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| Carpet is usually the least expensive option for flooring, but the maintenance and cleaning that go along with it are major drawbacks. In creative studios with a lot of messy materials and tools, the potential spills and stains on the carpet pose a problem. An entire roll of carpet may need to get replaced because of one accident. Still, it provides an extra layer of insulation and cushioning that is ideal in environments where people are standing for long periods of time. Sound reduction qualities could help prevent machinery noise or loud music from disturbing neighbors. An excellent alternative is carpet tiles, which come in multiple colors and designs. The tiles are easy to assemble, and single tiles can be swapped out if something spills. |
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| Cork and Linoleum Pros: • Made out of renewable resources • Quiet and warm like carpeting • Linoleum is good for wet areas Cons: • Uncoated cork is easily stained • Linoleum is porous so it needs frequent refinishing Cork and linoleum are both ecofriendly options, since they come from renewable resources. Both have a natural cushion to them, which is beneficial in high-traffic areas. Cork is an insulator and can help lower heating costs. Like hardwood, cork is absorbent and liquids can cause it to warp and stain, although small spills are fine — it is actually a mold inhibitor. |
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| On the other hand, linoleum fares well in wet areas. Linoleum would be a great alternative to concrete in a garage. It is a comfortable surface and it could handle oil spills and be easily washed down. It is sold in sheet and tile forms, and both can be a DIY installation. Choose linoleum tile for a more cost-effective solution when it comes to replacement. More flooring guides: Your Floor: An Introduction to Solid-Plank Wood Floors Laminate Floors: Get the Look of Wood (and More) for Less The Case for Linoleum and Vinyl Floors Your Floor: How to Find the Right Stone Tile Pick the Right Carpet Material |
Ideabook published on June 19, 2012.
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Pros:
- Durability - Cali Bamboo's Fossilized series scored 5000+ on the Janka Hardness Test (About 1500 lbs. above Brazilian Ipe.)
- Easy click-lock installation
- Ultra Low VOCs and no added Urea Formaldehyde
- Beautiful and comes in 30+ colors and styles
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
- Made from one of the most sustainable materials on the planet (The trees used for traditional hardwood take 30 to 50 years to reach maturity before being cut down, whereas a bamboo plant can be continually harvested about every 5 years with no damage to the plant or surrounding environment.)
When my studio had a concrete floor, I covered it with RaceDeck, which is 12" snap together tiles designed for the luxury garages of 'Trailer Queen' automobiles (that means cars that aren't really driven, but ride to shows in trailers). I chose a taupe color with small raised circles and liked the industrial look. Although it's hard plastic, it does give a little bounce.
At another rented location with wall to wall white carpeting (groan), I covered everything with my RaceDeck tiles to protect the carpeting and have a more work-friendly surface.
Now I'm working on a 16" smooth flat tile floor and I love it because: it's easy to clean and I can slide my large easel, tables and couches so easily to accommodate my creative need of the moment.
Meanwhile my RaceDeck tiles are clean and stored in book boxes.
GG in Hawaii