The flooring type you choose for your tiny house is a critical decision. The floors are the foundation of any home, and they need to be both functional and decorative. This blog post will discuss what type of flooring might work best for your tiny house. We’ll review some pros and cons of different types of flooring so that you can decide which one is right for you!
What is the best flooring for a tiny house? Wood, tile, carpet, and vinyl are the most popular choices for tiny house flooring.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each flooring type, along with what you need to consider before installing any flooring.
What Should I Keep in Mind?
Before choosing a flooring type, you need to consider the following:
Budget – how much do I want to spend? Flooring can be expensive, especially if you’re going with more than one type.
Functionality – do I need a warm floor for my feet in the cold months? Do I care about noise levels when walking around? Will pets scratch certain types of floors?
Cleaning and Maintenance – will this floor require me to spend lots of time cleaning it, or is there an easy way to clean it (steam mop, vacuum)? Are there any spaces where dirt might get stuck between tiles or crevices which a regular vacuum cleaner cannot reach?
Durability – how long until I’ll have to replace this flooring again? How long does each type last before wear and tear requiring replacement/repair work done on them(carpet, tile)?
Ceiling Height – if your ceiling height is lower than normal (as it would be in most tiny houses), certain floors will not work. You’ll have to choose something with minimal thickness or plan on putting down molding at regular intervals throughout the house. Also, ensure that whatever kind of floor you select has sufficient clearance underneath, so pipes and wires don’t get damaged by furniture moving around! If there are large gaps under your Tiny House between joists, then double-check that they won’t interfere with any electrical wiring as well. Do NOT assume this!!! Test fit everything before committing an installation!!
Utility costs – different flooring types will have a significant impact on your utility bills. For example, carpet is the most expensive to heat and cool because it doesn’t allow proper airflow beneath its surface. Tile also requires more energy to keep heated (although it does stay warm longer after hot water runs in the shower).
Decorative appeal – how do you want your tiny house to look? Do you have any plans for furniture that won’t go well with certain types of material? If so, this needs to be taken into consideration when choosing the right kind of flooring. For example, the carpet will make even a modestly decorated space feel busy and over-decorated. The same goes for tile but in reverse: having one type of hard surface throughout can give off an overly sterile vibe not carefully crafted!
Types of Tiny House Flooring
The most common types of flooring for a tiny home include:
- Wood
- Laminate
- Carpet
- Vinyl
- Tile
Wood Flooring
These floors are usually more expensive than other options due to their durability and long life span.
Pros:
- Wood floors are strong, durable, and easy to clean
- They add warmth to any home
- They can be sanded down or refinished over time if they begin to wear away
- Great for high traffic
- Durable
Cons:
While wood is considered one of the best choices in small homes, it is limited to a certain style. Wood floors will not look good in traditional homes or modern tiny houses.
- Expensive
- Can be difficult to install and maintain. You will need special tools for refinishing hardwood floors, as well as overall experience when it comes to this type of flooring installation
- If not maintained properly, there is a chance that some types of woods may warp over time due to moisture in the air
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is also known as “engineered wood,” It has a lot of pros that make it worth considering for tiny houses.
Pros:
- It can be made to look extremely realistic
- Comes in many different colors/designs
- Doesn’t creak or creek like some other types of hardwood floors might
- Easy to install by yourself with no experience necessary because the boards snap together without needing any glue or nails
- Inexpensive compared to real wood options
- Looks more expensive than what you pay for them
Cons:
- Some laminate products are NOT waterproof– this will ruin your entire floor, so read reviews carefully before investing in this type of material
- May require professional installation in some cases
- Not all laminate products are resistant to scratching
Carpet Flooring
Carpet is cozy, comfortable, and easy to clean compared with other flooring options such as tile. It comes in a variety of styles, so you’re sure to find something that matches your home’s unique style!
Pros:
- Carpet is the most comfortable flooring choice for tiny homes
- It offers a lot of warmth and comfort underfoot
- Requires less energy to heat/cool than hardwood or tile floors
- Looks cozy and inviting in any type of home decor
Cons:
- When compared with other types of flooring, carpet costs more to install due to its heavy padding layer (you’ll need about an inch thick pad)
- It also requires professional installation because many different kinds may require special tools (i.e., laminate glue-down styles will stick directly onto your subfloor– this might not work well over plywood!)
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is also known as “linoleum” or “resilient sheet,” and it offers many of the benefits of other types of floorings such as tile with only a few drawbacks (it can be cold underfoot).
Pros:
- Can come in more designs than any other type of hard surface material
- Inexpensive compared to real wood options
Cons:
- If not installed properly, it can crack over time, so make sure you work with professionals who know what they’re doing!
- Not suitable for humid areas like bathrooms because moisture will warp them
Tile Flooring
Tiles are made from natural materials that are fired. They can be designed especially for tiny homes: just make sure you measure the thickness before committing an order to ensure it will fit properly under any furniture pieces you plan on using throughout your tiny house design.
Pros:
- Inexpensive compared to other types of flooring
- Easy Installation
- Can be installed over existing floors
Cons:
- Tiles are cold and hard underfoot
- It will require professional installation in some cases
- Less durable than wood or carpet flooring
Summary
When choosing a type of flooring for tiny houses, there is no perfect answer that will apply to every situation– but these guidelines can help you determine which materials might be best suited for your needs.
If any one material seems like it would be better than another when applied over plywood, then go with what works best in your house designs; however, if all options seem equally great or terrible depending on how they’ll work within your home’s layout/design then consider using several different types throughout smaller rooms (such as using carpeting in the bedrooms and wood or tile in the kitchen).