Flooring Options
Add value to a Home
Flooring Options
When choosing flooring, consider your budget, the room’s function, aesthetic preferences, and maintenance requirements.
Hardwood Flooring
- Attributes: Natural wood flooring is known for its timeless beauty and durability.
- Benefits: It has aesthetic appeal and adds value to a home. It is long-lasting and can be refinished multiple times. It is available in various wood species and finishes.
- Con’s: Expensive compared to other flooring types; prone to scratches, dents, and moisture damage; requires regular maintenance.
Laminate Flooring
- Attributes: A cost-effective alternative to hardwood with a realistic wood or stone appearance.
- Benefits: They are affordable and easy to install, scratch-resistant and durable for high-traffic areas, and available in a variety of styles and designs.
- Con’s: Susceptible to water damage; not ideal for bathrooms or kitchens; cannot be refinished—needs replacement when worn; feels less authentic than natural wood.
Tile Flooring
- Attributes: Durable, water-resistant flooring ideal for wet areas.
- Benefits: Excellent for bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas. Easy to clean and resistant to moisture and stains. Long-lasting with a wide range of styles and colors.
- Con’s: Hard and cold underfoot; may require rugs for comfort; can crack or chip if heavy items are dropped; labor-intensive to install and grout maintenance is needed.
Vinyl Flooring
- Attributes: A versatile, water-resistant flooring option that mimics wood or tile.
- Benefits: It is affordable, durable, and waterproof—great for bathrooms and kitchens. It is comfortable underfoot and quieter than tile or hardwood. It is available in various styles and is easy to maintain.
- Con’s: It can fade over time with UV exposure; less eco-friendly due to synthetic materials; lower-end options can feel less premium.
Carpet
- Attributes: Soft, warm flooring ideal for bedrooms and living areas.
- Benefits: Comfortable and cozy underfoot. Provides sound insulation. Available in various colors, textures, and price points.
- Con’s: Stains easily and can trap allergens; requires frequent cleaning and maintenance; not suitable for wet or high-traffic areas.
Engineered Wood Flooring
- Attributes: A hybrid of hardwood and plywood for a durable, stylish option.
- Benefits: It is less expensive than solid hardwood but looks similar. It is more resistant to moisture and temperature changes. It is easier to install than traditional hardwood.
- Con’s: Limited refinishing options compared to hardwood; it can still scratch or dent; less durable than solid wood in the long run.
Concrete Flooring
- Attributes: Modern, industrial flooring is often used in contemporary homes or basements.
- Benefits: It is extremely durable and low—maintenance. It is also versatile—it can be stained, polished, or textured for unique looks. It is energy-efficient with good thermal properties.
- Con’s: Hard and cold underfoot; may require area rugs for comfort; can crack over time; expensive to install and finish properly.
Bamboo Flooring
- Attributes: Eco-friendly flooring made from a renewable resource.
- Benefits: Sustainable and environmentally friendly. Durable and comparable in look to hardwood. Resistant to moisture and insects.
- Con’s: Susceptible to scratches and dents; quality varies greatly between manufacturers; it is not as long-lasting as traditional hardwood.
