Here are a few of the most popular flooring material options available to you -- with pros and cons for each -- as well as possible best uses for each type.
Hardwood/Engineered Hardwood
Pros: Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular flooring options because it’s so beautiful, long-lasting, and easy to clean. It is also good for those with allergies since it doesn’t accumulate pet dander or dirt like carpet can. Natural hardwood is easier to refinish and re-lacquer, but it may be easier to DIY engineered hardwood since it comes ready to interlock together.Cons: Natural hardwood can warp when exposed to moisture so it’s not ideal for kitchens, laundry rooms, or bathrooms. If looking for a whole-house option, consider engineered hardwood, which is more dimensionally stable because of how it’s engineered, so it’s less likely to shrink and expand.
Best for: main living areas, such as living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms
Laminate
Pros: Laminate is affordable, durable, and easy to install. It’s easy to clean, so it’s good for homes with heavy foot traffic. It also comes in a variety of different colors and patterns.Cons: It doesn’t like heavy moisture, so it’s not ideal for bathrooms. If laid badly, it can be noisy and clunky as well.
Best for: Basements and living rooms
Stone
Pros: Stone lends an instantly elegant and upscale look to any room. It also adds resale value to any home due to its durability and desirability as a sophisticated flooring choice. It also takes on the ambient temperature of the room and it is a good hypoallergenic option for those sensitive to dust or pet dander. It’s also easy to clean!Cons: It needs to be resealed every six months or so because of its porosity. It’s also on the more expensive side and is vulnerable to cracking or chipping if its no well-laid during installation.
Best for: kitchens and bathrooms
Tile
Pros: There are almost limitless options when it comes to tile colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes. It is also easy to clean and is highly resistant to moisture. Tile can also be quite affordable and easy to find, as long as you stick to ceramic or porcelain tile -- granite or marble are more pricey, of course. Tile is also a great DIY option, since tile is relatively easy to install.Cons: It tends to feel cool underfoot, so if you live in a climate that gets cold in the winter, you may prefer a flooring type that takes on the ambient temperature of the room (though under-floor heating can be added). It’s also difficult to remove, so you’ll want to be sure you can live with the color or pattern you choose for a while.
Best for: Bathrooms and hallways
Resin/Concrete
Pros: Surprisingly available in any color (especially if you opt for resin), and lends a modern, contemporary look to any space. Concrete is also waterproof, hypoallergenic, noise-absorbing, and easy to clean.Cons: Concrete or resin is expensive, so it’s not the best choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option. This material also needs periodic resealing in order to resist scratching.
Best for: Kitchens and bathrooms
Vinyl
Pros: Vinyl is known for being affordable and its synthetic nature means there are a variety of colors and patterns for you to choose from. It’s also easy to clean and durable if you are looking for a surface that withstands lots of foot traffic. Vinyl can also withstand moisture, so you don’t need to worry about water damage and there are even “luxury vinyl” options if you’re looking for something elegant for dining or living room areas.Cons: Vinyl isn’t quite as resistant as wood or concrete, so if you’re looking for high resale value or a lifelong flooring option, this probably isn’t the best choice for you. It’s also not as sustainable as stone or hardwood, since it’s not recyclable and made with volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Best for: Kitchens and bathrooms
Cork
Pros: Cork flooring is quiet underfoot and resilient, so it’s great for highly trafficked spaces like a living room. It also adds modern visual appeal and physical warmth to a space, and can be vacuumed or swiffered for easy cleaning.Cons: Heavy items will leave dents in cork since it is a somewhat softer material, like carpet.
Best for: living rooms or bedrooms
Carpet
Pros: Carpet is warm and comfortable underfoot so it’s a common flooring choice for the bedroom as well as casual high usage areas like TV rooms. It’s also relatively affordable comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.Cons: Carpet is notoriously difficult to deep clean, so it’s not ideal for allergy sufferers, and it can retain stains and spills if you’re not careful. It also needs to be replaced every five to ten years, depending on the condition, so the resale value probably isn’t the highest.
Best for: bedrooms
If you would like to meet with a professional about the various flooring options available to you, for your home, contact us today for a free consultation.
