When you upgrade the Tampa flooring in your home, do not forget the porch, if you have one. The inside and outside flooring should look pulled together.
Those who love porches will know they are an essential part of a home that is used for nice days to sit and admire the weather in sheltered comfort. Many also kick off their shoes before entering the house, so porches play an important role in keeping your home clean and presenting a welcoming ambiance to visitors. Trouble is, many people considering upgrading their Tampa flooring tend to forget all about the porch. The end result? Nice looking inside floors and porch flooring that has seen better days.
When it is time to do some remodeling or upgrading, why not consider tile, marble, hardwood or even carpet. The choices are endless and you can choose what best suits your living style. For instance, if you have animals, carpet is not the wisest choice, as you could be forever trying to get the grit out of it. On the other hand, tile is easy to sweep and clean, plus, no one gets their nails caught on it.
Let’s assume you have already decided to do something about your porch, but are not sure where to begin. One of the things to keep in mind when upgrading your porch flooring is the age of your home. Flooring that is historically representative of the era it is from can be a great choice. If you have a home built in 1949 with a porch, you may want to consider dark, rot resistant wood such as old-growth Cyprus or longleaf heart pine. If your home is even older, for example old enough to be on a registry, you will need to work with a Tampa flooring contractor to select the best impermeable lumber on the market.
What happens if you rip up the existing carpet or flooring on the porch to prep it for a new look and you find concrete? No worries. Yes, it is a bit difficult to work with, but not impossible. For instance, did you know you can paint or stain concrete and make it look simply smashing? You can also nail into concrete with the right materials too.
Slate is another good selection to upgrade your porch. However, be careful which variety you ultimately choose as some are slick when wet. The last thing you need is to fall on wet slate. If you like how it looks, opt for slate with a rough pattern for traction. Not into slate? Perhaps you would like tile instead. It is very popular right now and the options range from non-skid to frost and water resistant, and it is so easy to find a color scheme you will love.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
