Wood

Hardwood floors are a popular, durable and visually appealing option. Oak and cherry give off a natural feel in any home. Hardwood floors often come as planks, parquets or pre-finished boards that can be expensive and difficult to install. They’re subject to moisture damage, so they are better installed in parts of the home that don’t get wet often from showers or kitchen sinks.

Over time, they can get scratches or dents that may be expensive to fix, but these floors can be refurbished every several years and last decades.

Laminate

Laminate floors are a less expensive alternative that seek to achieve that wood-floor look. The material is composed of wood-based materials that are laminated together and then layered with an imprint that mimics wood grains.

Besides wood grain, laminate floors come in a variety of colors and styles. They’re durable and easier to install than hardwood. Although laminate is useful in high-traffic areas, it’s subject to moisture damage in kitchens or bathrooms where the floor gets wet often.

Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered wood floors are made up of plywood planks that are layered on top with a real but very thin hardwood veneer. They’re a great option for those who want something in-between laminate and hardwood. Because they have real hardwood layered on top, they more closely resemble real hardwood floors at a fraction of the cost. Unlike hardwood, refurbishing these floors usually requires the replacement of the surface.

Tile

Tile is a popular option for many homeowners with materials like porcelain, terra cotta, marble, granite and slate. Glazed porcelain is the most cost-effective. It’s nonporous, waterproof (making it great for kitchens and bathrooms) and sturdy enough for high-trafficked parts of a home.

Tiles come in a wide range of textures, shapes and finishes allowing a homeowner to be creative with tile selection. Overall, tile floors are durable, but they can be expensive and difficult to install. Chips and scratches can damage tile and are difficult to repair.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and has a softer underfoot than tile or stone. Vinyl is a popular choice for basements, bathrooms or kitchens where moisture can be an issue. It’s generally affordable and comes in sheets or self-stick tiles, which makes vinyl a great DIY project choice. Vinyl flooring is sold in a range of widths and thicknesses. Choose a thicker vinyl for high-trafficked areas.

Concrete

Concrete floors have become popular, offering long-lasting durability and lower maintenance compared to other popular flooring types. Gray concrete can be stamped or stained to look like other expensive materials like marble, granite, stone or brick.

Carpet

Carpet is a common floor type in colder climates, especially in bedrooms. Carpet is cost-effective and is soft and warm underfoot. Carpet comes in a myriad of colors and styles and some are stain-resistant, which is preferable in homes with young children or pets. Carpets can be difficult to maintain; it’s best to have your carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year.

Bamboo

Bamboo is an extremely durable floor type that’s made from lightweight woody grass. It can resist swelling and contractions that often happen to hardwood floors in warm, humid climates. Bamboo is also moisture-resistant, making it a good option for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Cork

Cork floors are an eco-friendly alternative. They have a light, cushiony feel that absorbs vibrations and sound. If cork floors get dented, they can often bounce back over a short period of time. Its natural, non-slip surface is ideal for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Linoleum

Linoleum is another eco-friendly flooring alternative. Linoleum is made from all-natural materials that make it antistatic and resistant to water, dings or scratches. Linoleum floors are often found in commercial buildings, like hospitals, because they’re easy to clean, comfortable underfoot and are made in a variety of colors.

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