One of the first things people will notice when they walk into your custom home for the first time is the flooring. When you embark on the journey of building a custom home with Omega, we take the time to sit down with you and discuss the form and function of the different custom flooring you choose for the various rooms in your dream house. We’ve compiled a list of the most popular flooring options and the benefits and drawbacks of each style. Of course, because we build homes in the Ottawa region, we’ve included heated flooring as well.

Hardwood
Hardwood is one of the more popular custom home flooring choices, and rightfully so. Hardwood creates a warm, inviting atmosphere, and it’s durable enough to be installed in almost any room. The wide range of stain options make it easy to pair with any design style, which means you can uniquely design every room in your home but still enjoy the continuity that comes with one flooring style. There are a number of wood types to choose from, and they range in price, which gives you some flexibility in terms of budget. Although hardwood is durable, it can get scuffed and scratched in high-traffic areas, so some homeowners choose to go with engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood is still natural wood, it’s just processed differently to make it more resistant to temperature, humidity changes, and wear and tear. Hardwood floors require a little bit more care and caution than other flooring styles, but you can also combat damage in high traffic areas by placing area rugs.

Laminate
The laminate flooring being manufactured gets better and better with each passing year, which is why it’s slowly surpassing hardwood in terms of popularity. Families with pets and young children often choose to use laminate flooring in their custom homes because it’s more durable and resilient to damage. It also requires very little maintenance, unlike hardwood. The flooring itself won’t be damaged by water in most cases as long as the water doesn’t reach the sub-flooring. This means that it’s a great option for any room, including washrooms and kitchens, where occasional spills occur. Laminate flooring is now available in a variety of styles, some of which expertly mimic the natural finish and texture of wood and stone.

Tile & Stone
Tile and stone are a great choice for those rooms in your custom home that see a little bit more traffic and wear. We find most homeowners like to use stone and tile in washrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and entrances. The reason for this is because of its durability and water resistance. It’s also extremely easy to clean if it’s treated properly, and should a tile become cracked or chipped it’s much easier to replace a section of tile than it is to replace a section of hardwood or laminate. There’s also something about natural stone tiles that adds a touch of elegant earthiness to a home. Ceramic tiles are the best choice for washrooms with showers and tubs because they stand up well to water and are easy to clean.

Carpet
Homeowners are choosing to use carpet less and less in their custom homes, but it still has its place in certain spaces. Carpet is the warmest and most comfortable flooring choice, which is why homeowners in Ottawa still like to use it in their bedrooms and basements. It’s much more inviting to step out of bed onto warm carpet than some of the cooler hard flooring choices. It’s popular in basements for the same reason because basements tend to be cooler, and carpet can make the space cozy and inviting. Carpet is also a good choice for stairs because it gives you more traction, so even if you choose to use hardwood on your stairs, it’s a good idea to have a carpet runner installed. The drawback of carpet is that it requires a lot of maintenance to keep it clean, and it holds dust and allergens more than hard flooring styles. That being said, you can keep it clean easily with frequent vacuuming and an occasional steam cleaning.

Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is an excellent option for homeowners looking for durability and style. Most vinyl flooring is waterproof and highly resistant to damage, which is why it’s becoming more popular as nicer designs become available. It’s one of the best options for high traffic rooms and homeowners with small children and pets. Vinyl plank flooring is very similar in appearance to laminate, but it offers increased water resistance. Vinyl floors can start to look worn and dated if they aren’t cared for properly, but all it takes to maintain them is regular sweeping and mopping. They also aren’t as durable as some of the other flooring options, so it’s best to avoid dragging furniture because it’s difficult to repair scratches on vinyl.

Heated Floor (Radiant Heating)
Anyone who lives in Ottawa knows how harsh and long the winters are, which is why many of our clients choose to install heated flooring when they are designing their custom home. There is a common misconception that heated floors are for comfort and don’t serve any real function, which isn’t true. Heated flooring is also known as radiant heating because it also assists in heating your home efficiently. There are two types of heated flooring, electric and water-based. Electric systems are easier to install, which makes them the cheaper option. It’s important to consider installing heated floors early in the design process because the system needs to be installed before the flooring for obvious reasons. Any of the flooring styles that we have listed above are compatible with radiant heating systems, so you won’t have to comprise your custom home design in any way to enjoy the benefits of heated flooring.

From floor to ceiling, Omega homes can help build your custom home in the Ottawa area, exactly as you imagined it!

Custom Home Building Process
At Omega, it’s important to us that our clients know what to expect when we start the process of building their custom home. We’re there for you every step of the way, from finding the perfect lot to picking out the final intricate details that will turn your custom build into your dream home. Once your home is complete, we will be available to you for any warranty concerns and all necessary aftercare.

Before we start any build, we take the time to sit down with clients and discuss exactly what they want. Involving our clients in the design process ensures that they get a home unique to their taste that they will love for years to come. We openly discuss budgets with every client and break down the costs associated with building a custom home so that our clients are never left in the dark.

About Omega
We don’t just build you a house, we build you a home. We assemble the top architects, designers, and trades personnel to work in conjunction with our experienced and licensed staff in order to make your dream home a reality. As a Tarion Custom Home Design-Builder, we feel it is our responsibility to be adaptable to each client’s individual needs. There’s no job we can’t handle, and we will do whatever it takes to meet your requests with high-quality results. Our architects and designers are always looking for new and exciting challenges, so the only limit is your imagination.

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