The Best Flooring Material For Your Home

A crucial question to consider when planning for new flooring is what’s the best type? There isn’t necessarily a best and a worst since each person will have their own individual needs. But in this post, I’ll go through the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision. 

Carpet

Carpet is a great choice for rooms where comfort is of utmost importance such as bedrooms. No one wants to get out of bed onto a cold floor so carpet is always a great choice in a bedroom. Carpet is usually a budget-friendly flooring option. Make sure not to install carpet in a place with high moisture such as bathrooms since it is possible for carpet to grow mold. Also, keep in mind that there are different carpet densities, and the denser it is, the more durable your flooring choice will be.

Tile

Tile is an excellent choice for rooms with frequent spills or high moisture such as laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. It is a highly durable flooring option and is easy to clean. Ceramic tile is slightly less durable than porcelain but should still work for most rooms in the home. Generally, porcelain is more expensive than ceramic. 

Hardwood

Hardwood is a durable and timeless option for almost any room in the home. It’s been around for decades and is super popular! And for good reason! Hardwood is generally an expensive choice but does provide a return on investment when you sell your home. If you like the look of hardwood but it’s just not in the budget, take a look at floors that can mimic the look of wood like vinyl or laminate. Another pro of hardwood is that it can be refinished many times without having to replace the floor. However, hardwood does require maintenance and isn’t the most durable flooring option. However, there are many waterproof and scratchproof options that are ideal for high-traffic areas. 

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered wood is created with a thick layer of plywood covered by a wood veneer. It looks like hardwood but is cheaper and less susceptible to damage. However, because the wood veneer is thin, engineered hardwood can’t be refinished as much as real hardwood which means if it gets damaged over time, you may have to replace it. 

Vinyl

Vinyl is an excellent choice almost anywhere in your home. It is durable, economical, water-resistant, and easy to clean. It’s an amazing option for those looking for beautiful flooring at a low price point. If you do choose vinyl flooring for your home, keep in mind the thickness of the wear layer. The wear layer is what makes the vinyl water-resistant and scratch-proof. The thicker the wear layer, the more durable the vinyl. Even though vinyl is scratch-proof and water-resistant, its life span will usually be a bit shorter than wood or tile.

There are a few different types of vinyl- peel, and stick, click and lock, and vinyl that comes in a roll. If you choose this flooring, I recommend the click and lock since it will give the appearance of a much more expensive floor and will also last the longest of the three.

Laminate

With laminate, you can get the look of wood or tile at a more affordable price point and with less maintenance. Laminate can have a more realistic tile or stone look than vinyl and will generally have more options than vinyl. Laminate is also very easy to install and very durable making it a great choice for every area in your home. However, laminate is not waterproof and is virtually impossible to repair which means that if it does get damaged, the whole area will need to be replaced. I would not recommend laminate for bathrooms or kitchens because of this.

How to Choose

Now that you know all this information, how do you choose which flooring will work best for you? Here are the factors you should pay attention to:

• Budget
• If you have kids/pets
• The location where the flooring is being installed.
• How much maintenance will the floor require?

Hope this helps you choose the right flooring for your space!