6 Types of Flooring You Should Know About

When undergoing a home remodel, one of your most important decisions will be what flooring to pick. The best flooring for your house will depend on your budget, lifestyle, and personal tastes. As the largest surface in your home, you want to ensure your choice covers all these bases. Another item to consider is that every room has different needs and requirements, so you’ll likely use a few different types of flooring throughout your house. From hardwood to carpet, we’re breaking down the six most popular types of flooring with everything you need to know to help you navigate the flooring world and make the right choice for your spaces.

Hardwood flooring consists of solid pieces of milled wood planks. It comes in various hardwood varieties, including maple, oak, walnut, cherry, and four different woodcuts, including plain sawn, quarter sawn, rift sawn, or live sawn. Hardwood is one of the most sought-after types of flooring. Its versatility, durability, and aesthetic appeal make it a desirable flooring option for many home buyers. While it is one of the more expensive flooring materials on the market and takes regular maintenance, hardwood floors are timeless and look just as good in a Victorian home as in a contemporary new build.

1. High price
2. Not ideal for bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements
3. Susceptible to moisture damage
4. Can incur scratches and dents in high-traffic areas

Engineered wood flooring offers the look of natural wood at a more affordable price than solid wood. This type of flooring consists of a thin layer of hardwood veneer adhered to a high-quality plywood substrate. It’s as durable as solid hardwood flooring, typically ordered as a pre-finished product, reducing production time, and can last as long with proper care. If you like the look of hardwood but without the high price tag, engineered wood flooring is a great alternative.

1. Wide variation in quality
2. Can be refinished, but only a few times
3. May sound hollow when walking
4. Not fade-resistant

Tile is the most popular choice for moisture-prone rooms like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Floor tiles are water-resistant and durable and come in various styles, finishes, and colors, allowing you to get creative and add character to your space. The most common tile materials are porcelain and ceramic.

1. Need to reseal grout yearly in high-traffic areas
2. Expensive
3. May be unsafe and slippery when wet
4. Increased timeline to properly prep and install

There’s nothing like the beauty of natural stone. Natural stone flooring, such as slate, granite, marble, travertine, and sandstone, is popular inside and outside your home. As a product of nature, each piece is different, each with unique markings and veinings. It’s also highly durable and waterproof.

1. Difficult to maintain
2. Expensive
3. Increased timeline to properly prep and install
4. Need to reseal to prevent stains and scratches

Vinyl flooring comprises multi-layered synthetic flooring and comes in plank, tile, and sheet form. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are two forms gaining popularity due to their durability and the variety of styles available. Vinyl flooring is highly water-resistant and won’t sustain damage even if water sits on it for some time, making it perfect for bathrooms and kitchens. It is also a very cost-effective material.

1. Lower ROI than wood
2. Easily damaged
3. Hard to repair
4. Not environmentally friendly

Carpet is a popular type of flooring, particularly for bedrooms or homes in colder climates. Not only does it have thermal qualities, but adding carpet softens a space and feels comfortable on the feet. It comes in a variety of materials, textures, and colors. Some modern carpets even have stain-resistant qualities. It is also the most cost-effective flooring option (depending on the product, of course).

1. Needs regular cleaning
2. Not ideal for allergy sufferers or pet owners
3. Shows wear
4. Can stain

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