8 Best Flooring Options for Your Home

Choosing the best flooring options for your home is a big decision—that is a huge surface you are trying to cover. Though there are dozens of flooring options available in the market these days—from ceramic tile to bamboo to hardwood flooring—there is no single right choice. That is mainly because each flooring option has its fair share of advantages and drawbacks. And it pays to do a little research about these materials before getting started on your flooring project.

To get you going and find a floor that fits your space, preference, and budget, here is a look at the pros and cons of many types of flooring options available in the market today.

 

Option 1: Hardwood

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One of the most popular flooring options, hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of many kinds of wood such as maple, oak, or walnut. It comes in planks with 4 to 8 inches width or strips with 1.5 to 2-inches width. Hardwood flooring can either be finished or unfinished.

Advantages

Hardwood flooring looks great in any style of your home with any décor. It is long-lasting because you can refinish it multiple times to remove scratches. Also, wood flooring is easy for upkeep. Just mop up all the spills and sweep them regularly. When it comes to installation, it is a reasonably easy Do-it-Yourself project, which can save you labor expenses.

The best use of hardwood flooring is for spaces that do not really get a lot of traffic such as main living areas, bedrooms, or hallways.

Disadvantages

Possibly the biggest drawback of hardwood flooring is that it does not stand up well to any rough handling. It is very much susceptible to moisture, which may lead to warping when exposed for a long time. This is the main reason why hardwood flooring is a bad choice for bathrooms, basement, and laundry rooms. Temperature changes can cause shrinkage and swelling, making them vulnerable to dents and scratches. As a result, it requires constant maintenance and refinishing to retain its look.

 

Option 2: Carpet

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Carpet is no doubt a perennial favorite for living areas and bedrooms. In 2019 statistics, carpet and area rug sales totaled over 11.32 billion U.S. dollars, which is about three times that of the next largest category, ceramic floor, and wall tile.  It is a versatile yet common option in many homes because it offers a world of options in colors and texture. Carpet is created by pulling soft fibers such as nylon or wool through a woven backing, then gluing layers and layers of backing to achieve a desirable strength. The quality of the carpet varies depending on the fiber density count. This means, the more fiber it has in every square inch, the more durable the carpet is.

Carpet flooring comes in different types such as wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, and polypropylene. These types vary in moisture-resistant and quality.

Advantages 

A lot of homeowners prefer carpet because it feels warm and soft underfoot. It is slip-resistant, making it a good choice for a family with kids. Furthermore, carpet flooring has acoustical advantage and noise reduction ability as it absorbs sounds in your home. It can also boost insulation inside your home and is easy to install.

The use of carpet flooring is more appropriate in areas where less dirt gets tracked in such as living rooms and bedrooms.

Disadvantages

Carpet flooring is very susceptible to staining. It is much more difficult to clean than hardwood flooring even with regular vacuuming. Its soft fibers can harbor pollens, allergens, or dirt, which makes it a bad choice for anyone who suffers from allergies.  

 

Option 3: Ceramic Tile

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Considered as one of the most versatile flooring options, ceramic tile offers a world of options when it comes to colors, shapes, and textures that would coordinate well with any spaces in your home. Ceramic tile is a mixture of shale and clay, then fired in a kiln like in pottery, so it is reasonably a hard material. There are four main types of ceramic tile: glazed ceramic, porcelain, terracotta, and quarry tile.

Advantages

The great advantage of ceramic tile is that it provides an enormous array of styles and colors that can fit with any style of your home. Using modern printing technology, it is highly possible to create a ceramic tile with almost any kind of pattern. Also, the glazed type of ceramic tile is impervious to moisture, exceptionally durable, and can resist scratches or stains. Some other types need little maintenance as well.

The best use of ceramic tile can be incorporated in your bathroom, sunrooms, or kitchen. Porcelain tile is a great choice for high-traffic spaces like a mudroom, laundry rooms, and kitchen.  

Disadvantages

The hardness of ceramic tile is also its disadvantage. Tile feels hard and cold underfoot, so it is not for everyone’s liking. Unless coated with a special anti-slip finish, glazed ceramic tile can also be slippery. In terms of maintenance, it varies depending on ceramic tile types. Glazed tile is quite easy to maintain and clean, but its grout lines in between require constant staining. Terracotta tile, on the other hand, needs regular sealing. And although ceramic tile is considerably durable, it is not easy to repair if a single tile happens to break.

 

Option 4: Laminate

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Constructed much like engineered wood floors, laminate flooring has a thin veneer mounted over layers of compressed fiber or plywood, creating stable and durable slats. It is an attractive option to hardwood flooring as it can resemble wood, tile, stone, or just almost any other flooring options. Laminate flooring can either be tiles or planks.

Advantages 

Not as costly as hardwood or concrete flooring, laminate can mimic the feel and appeal of stones and wood. It is quite easy to install over an existing surface, allowing you to save time and money. Also, a sturdy laminate construction can resist warping and scratching, which in result requires little maintenance and cleaning.

The laminate floor is perfectly ideal for high-traffic areas such as foyers, playrooms, living areas, and kitchen. It is also a good choice for basements for as long as there are no problems with standing water or leaks.

Disadvantages

Laminate flooring feels artificial and can be slippery when wet. If water stands on it for a long time, it can absorb in between the layers which cause the planks to warp. And unlike wood flooring, laminate cannot be refinished when it wears out, so replacement flooring is the only option to fix it.  

 

Option 5: Vinyl

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Vinyl tiles and sheets are resilient flooring options, making it a bit softer underfoot as opposed to rigid tile or wood. Created from a layer of PVC (or polyvinyl chloride) plastic over a layer of felt, vinyl flooring comes in different forms. Cushioned vinyl has a thin layer of foam while thicker vinyl has a textured surface to resemble the appearance of wood or stone.

Advantages 

Vinyl flooring is durable that stands both heavy traffic and moisture. As a resilient flooring, it creates a cushioned and flexible surface which makes it amazingly comfortable to walk on. It is even warmer on feet than tile flooring. Though it comes in a wide array of patterns and colors, vinyl flooring is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. A good quality vinyl can surely last for about 20 years because of its durability.

It is best to use vinyl flooring in areas that get a lot of traffic such as the basement and mudrooms. Since it can also tolerate moisture, it is very much appropriate in bathrooms and other wet rooms.

Disadvantages

One of the biggest disadvantages of vinyl flooring is that it is not eco-friendly. PVC is one of the major sources of phthalates, a plastic softener that is normally banned in kids’ toys. Because of this, parents are warned to use this material with caution. Also, vinyl flooring varies in quality and cannot quite shake that synthetic appeal.

 

Option 6: Linoleum

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Another type of resilient flooring, linoleum is a flooring option that has been around for about 150 years. Like vinyl flooring, it comes in tiles, sheets, and laminated planks. Some other types have a protective coating to prevent stains and reduce wear. Made from biodegradable, renewable materials like cork powder and linseed oil, linoleum is very much environmentally-friendly.

Advantages

Linoleum is an eco-friendly choice as it does not emit any harmful VOCs or volatile organic compounds. It is more durable than vinyl which can even last up to 40 years with proper maintenance and care. Since it is a tough flooring, it can also resist wear and stains. As a resilient flooring, it feels soft and comfortable underfoot.  

Linoleum flooring is a great choice in areas such as kitchens, family rooms, and dens. It may work well in a basement or bedroom that does not have any moisture or water damage problems.

Disadvantages

Linoleum flooring is not as water-resistant as vinyl flooring, which makes it a bad choice for bathrooms or laundry rooms. Although it can stand up well to normal wear and tear, this flooring material is vulnerable to denting from sharp objects, furniture legs, and high heels. And when exposed to sunlight repeatedly, it tends to fade or turn yellowish. That is why you need a protective coating to prevent this problem.

 

Option 7: Engineered Wood

A more affordable substitute to solid hardwood, engineered wood flooring is made by combining a top layer of natural hardwood with layers of less expensive ply plank underneath. As a result, it makes engineered wood much cheaper and sturdier. Like solid hardwood flooring, engineered wood offers a wide variety of patterns, wood types, and board widths.

Advantages

The laminate process of the construction of engineered wood creates greater stability. This means that engineered wood flooring is less sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature, which is an ideal choice for a basement room. Engineered wood flooring can give you the appeal of solid wood but offers a marginally lower cost.

This type of flooring material works well in all the same areas as solid hardwood. Plus, it is suitable for enclosed porches and basements.

Disadvantages

One major drawback of an engineered wood flooring is that you cannot sand it down as frequently as you could in genuine hardwood. And like the real wood surface, it is also resistant to scratches, dent, or wear and tear over time.

 

Option 8: Bamboo

An eco-friendly alternative to hardwood flooring, bamboo is a fast-growing grass that can mimic the look and feel of its wood counterparts. Though natural bamboo creates a floor with light wood color, processing treatments are readily available to produce a darker finish or appear like any other stained wood flooring options. Just like hardwood flooring, bamboo comes in both engineered planks and solid strips. Bamboo flooring also comes in several grain patterns: vertical grain has long, narrow strips; end grain has little short strips; and flat grain has darker stripes across the board.

Advantages 

Like engineered wood, bamboo flooring is available in forms that can easily be installed. Although it is not wood flooring, bamboo creates a similar warmth and beauty that wood flooring has. As a renewable source, it has green credibility and is described as durable and tough.

Since bamboo flooring works in the same places as wood flooring, it is suitable for areas such as hallways, bedrooms, and living rooms. However, it may not be a good choice for the mudroom or kitchen.

Disadvantages

Though it is a renewable source and has green credibility, some bamboo floors are heavily treated with fertilizers and pesticides. It is important to do careful research before getting one for your flooring project. Also, not all bamboo flooring is durable and tough. Some vary in durability, especially those cheaper varieties that are very much vulnerable to dents and scratches. The price of bamboo flooring is at par with hardwood flooring, but installation can be a bit expensive, which ranges from $7 to $12 per foot.

 

Which Flooring Options Do You Prefer?

These are among the most popular flooring options you can select from in the market today. But we know that choosing the best one for your home is considerably difficult. So, if you find the need to seek help from a specialist, feel free to connect with us and we will help you out today.