When you are building your home, it is easy to become overwhelmed at just how many decisions there are to make. Forget how big and what color you want it to be, or what kind of windows you want. You have to decide everything right down to the color of the screws used to install your electrical switches. It is easy for people to forget that they have to decide what kind of porch they want to have. There are two basic types of porches: wood and concrete.
Wooden porch floors can be beautiful, but the upkeep is complicated and it is likely that the porch will have to be replaced eventually as everyday wear and tear can completely break it down after a few years. Owners who decide to use it also need to keep an eye out for wood rot as this is a sign that their entire porch might need to be replaced. That being said, wood can be very beautiful and the perfect finish to a beautiful home.
Concrete floors are by far the more popular choice among today's home builders. Typically it consists of concrete slab that is poured onto an already existing wooden substrate. The concrete can then be covered by a wooden finish or be stamped and sealed in various designs. What you usually need to worry about most with concrete floors is cracking. As the wooden substrate gets older it can start to weaken which will cause the concrete to shift. This shifting can cause cracks in the concrete which, in turn, weakens the porch. Concrete porch flooring will often stand the test of time longer than wood, but once the concrete starts to go, it is a sure sign that your entire porch will need to be replaced.
When deciding what kind of flooring you are going to use for your front and back porches, you should do your research. Learn about how porches are constructed and talk to local contractors and architects about what will work the best in your area. How well it holds up often depends a great deal on the physical environment. If you live in a very rainy area you will need a different type than you will if you live in a very dry area.
Do you research on the various forms of wood that are available to you for use. Go to your local library and look for information online. Always try to learn everything you can before letting yourself get talked into making a decision. After all, an informed decision is the best decision. Knowing about wood and concrete and the advantages and disadvantages for both will help you out a great deal when it is time to decide which kind of flooring is right for you.