The floor is the most important surface of the home. The type of flooring you choose will depend on your taste, lifestyle and budget. Every flooring type comes with its own benefits and disadvantages. The best floor type for your house will depend on your needs, weather and location where you live.
Hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring contains solid milled wood. The common hardwood varieties are walnut, cherry or maple. The versatility and quality of hardwood make it a very desirable option for homeowners.
Pros
- Increases home resale value
- Refinished multiple times
- Many options
- Durable
Cons
- Expensive
- Can get scratches, dents and scrapes in higher traffic regions
- Susceptible to moisture
- Not good for laundry rooms, rooms or basements
Engineered wood flooring
Engineered wood flooring gives the look of real wood at a more affordable price than hardwood. The floor has a thin layer of hardwood bonded on a plywood substrate. It is as durable as hardwood flooring and can last for a long period with proper care.
Pros
- DIY friendly
- More resistant to moisture and water than hardwood
- Multiple installation methods
- Has hardwood top player
Cons
- Cannot be finished more than once
- Wide variation in quality
- Sounds hollow
- Not fade resistant
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is an extremely affordable option for homeowners who want an alternative to carpet but do not want the additional cost of tiles or hardwood.
Laminate floors have a particleboard wood base that is topped by tile photo or wood beneath a plastic protective layer.
Pros
- Expensive compared to hardwood
- Scratch-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Many styles and colors are available
- DIY friendly
Cons
- Chips easily
- Hollow sound underfoot
- Neither looks nor feels like wood
- Susceptible to moisture
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is water-resistant and will not sustain damage even if the water sits on the vinyl flooring for an extended period. Made of plastic, vinyl flooring is available in sheet, tile and plank form.
Pros
- Great for bathrooms, laundry room, basement and kitchens
- Very durable
- Fade and water-resistant
- Easy to maintain
- Many design choices
- DIY friendly
Cons
- More expensive than laminate
- Lower ROI compare to wood
Tile
Tile flooring is a common choice for regions that are moisture prone like kitchens and bathrooms. The most common tile materials used are porcelain and ceramic. Tile is durable, water-resistant and is available in a variety of colors and styles.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Long-lasting
- Durable
Cons
- Hard to install
- Cold and slippery
- A lot of prep work needed
- Expensive
Stone floors
Natural stones like sandstone, marble or granite are very popular flooring choices in indoor and outdoor spaces. They are extremely durable and waterproof.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Elephant
Cons
- Hard to install
- A lot of prep work needed
- Difficult to maintain
- Cold and slippery
- Expensive
A few other types of flooring or Linoleum, carpet, cork, rubber, bamboo, et cetera. Finding the best flooring is not as simple as selecting a paint colour. For more information, check out Litcore. They have amazing flowing options and will be happy to help you out with your needs.
