10 Types of Flooring To Consider

Picking flooring for your home doesn’t have to be a stressful decision. Knowing your needs and options helps make the process faster and simpler. 

We’ve created a roundup review of ten of the best types of flooring for your house. We also provide a detailed buyer’s guide that will help you with your shopping trip. 

The Best Types Of Flooring For Your House

1. Selkirk Vinyl Plank Paneling

The Selkirk Vinyl plank paneling is a click-lock system of 4.mm thick, 7.2″ W x 48″ L planks made of vinyl SPC. A 12 mil (.3mm) wear layer offers surface protection, while a 1mm IXPE pad provides cushion.

This durable vinyl planking is 100% waterproof, allowing for use in rooms with high moisture risks. And with six attractive wood colors, this flooring goes with any decor.

You can install this flooring over a wide variety of existing flooring without any subfloor prep, saving time and money. And because the pieces snap together with a four-sided micro bevel edge Uniclic locking system, anyone can do the installation, even if you’ve never done it before. 

The manufacturer recommends ordering a sample (4″ x 7.2″ x 3/16″) before purchasing an entire box. The color can vary from the picture.

Pro tip: To determine how many boxes you will need, take the square footage amount you need and an additional 10% to 15% (for cuts) and round to the closest number. Each box contains 24 sq ft (2 boxes = 48 sq ft, 3 boxes = 72 sq ft, etc.).

Benefits	Disadvantages
Six attractive colors	Not many reviews
Easy installation	Color may vary from picture
Waterproof
Durable scratch and scuff resistant
Limited 15 year lifetime warranty

Best for: This flooring is the perfect companion for kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, or entryways. The imitation wood grain allows the Selkirk to be used in every room of your house for a complete match or use different colors in various rooms to separate the space.

2. BuildDirect Vanier Engineered Hardwood

The BuildDirect Vanier is an engineered prefinished white oak hardwood. The best thing about this flooring is you can use it to get the look of natural wood in places where wood can’t go, such as below-grade basements. 

These multi-layered planks use a click-lock tongue and groove system with micro-beveled edges to secure in place, allowing for quick and easy installation for beginners or experts. You can also glue these planks down rather than leave them floating if preferred.

This flooring is an OSB core covered with a 4mm low-gloss UV cured oil wear layer in a light brown tone with natural stained grain lines. Each plank is 0.63″ thick, 7.50″ W. Each box covers 22.7 sq ft. There’s also the option to buy a bundle, which covers 158.9 sq ft. Or try a sample to see how the color looks in your space. 

Benefits	Disadvantages
15 year finish warranty/lifetime structural warranty	One color option
Suitable for all rooms	No customer reviews
Works in basements
Rich wood grain look
Budget friendly

Best for: The Vanier is the perfect option for when you want the look of wood, but you don’t have the budget or the proper circumstances (basements, kitchens, entryways, laundry rooms).

3. HTB Teak Flooring Tiles

These HTB Teak flooring tiles are a fantastic option for pool decks, patios, covered porches, sunrooms, or even indoors. Made of 100% teak, this product is FSC certified with a PP plastic base and an eco-friendly, non-toxic wax oil finish.

This 12″ x 12″ tile flooring has an interlocking buckle design that keeps the tiles locked securely together; no tools or glue for installation. 

This design does leave a small gap between the pieces, and the plastic elevates the wood 1″, which gives it excellent drainage, filters sand, and offers ventilation. Grooves provide the sanded tiles friction, so there’s less risk of slipping when wet.  

Benefits	Disadvantages
Indoor/outdoor use	One color option
Easy install	No sample available
Waterproof
Grooved for friction
100% teak wood

Best for: The HTB Teak tiles are a great flooring to install in outdoor areas, like patios, tiki bars, pool decks, entryways, showers, balconies, and more. But they can also go indoors in rooms where you want tropical, exotic wood flooring.

4. Lucida Luxury Vinyl Floor Tiles

The Lucida Luxury vinyl floor tiles give you a look of stone without the expense or complicated installation. These peel and stick floor tiles are perfect for beginners who do not want the hassles to cut and glue or assemble wood or stone floors. 

These tiles have HD film prints that resemble natural marble in five colors with micro-bevel edges. The vinyl surface is 100% waterproof and easy to clean. Plus, an IXPE water-resistant underlayment for noise reduction. 

The 22-millimeter wear layer is 4x UV coated, finished with ceramic bead and urethane to create a commercial strength. Beneath is a Virgin premium core. Each 2.5mm thick, 12″ w x 24″ L tile has CoreBond adhesive on the bottom, designed to adhere to any surface. Peel, stick, and press. One box contains 18 tiles, which covers 36 sq ft. There’s also a sample pack.

Benefits	Disadvantages
4x UV coated wear layer	Might be challenging to align properly
Resembles real stone	Corners may peel up or bubbles may arise if you don’t smooth properly
Noise reduction
100% waterproof
Easy to install

Best for: The Lucinda Luxury tiles are an ideal flooring in areas where you need extreme water resistance and want an option that can lay over existing floors.

5. QEP Cork Underlayment

Most floorings require an underlayment, and even if it’s not needed, it’s a beneficial addition. This cork underlayment by QEP is suitable for going under slate, laminate, ceramic, porcelain, marble, stone, engineered, or hardwood. 

This ¼” thick natural cork works for sound reduction (both surface and for between floor levels) and as a crack isolation membrane, plus insulation. And best of all, it’s easy to install. 

However, this 10.65″ x 48.5″ x 10.65″ sheet cork underlayment does require gluing to keep in place. The company recommends using a 75-pound roller and a Roberts Cork Adhesive.   

Benefits	Disadvantages
Insulates rooms for heat and cooling efficiency	Rough texture may be damaged if handled too rough during installation
Works for multiple floorings	Seams may be difficult to match up between rolls
Reduces sounds from surface and floor levels
Crack insulation membrane
Sheet form is easy to roll out and cut

Best for: This cork underlayment is the perfect component to add under your flooring to reduce sound, insulate, and prevent friction cracks to the frame or flooring.

6. SomerTile Porcelain Floor Tile

The SomerTile porcelain floor tile gives your floors a unique look with a random assortment of variations and patterns in each box, which can make it challenging to match up perfectly but is excellent for random coordination. 

These hexagonal tiles have a low sheen smooth glazed finish that’s PEI rated III, making them durable enough for medium-duty residential floors with little dirt and normal foot traffic. The glazed surface makes it water-resistant and slip-resistant, making it perfect for showers, backsplashes, patios, or pool decks.

You can install these 9.75″ x 8.5″ x 0.39″ thick tiles DIY using tile spacers and mortar. One box covers 11.56 square feet and contains 25 tiles.

Benefits	Disadvantages
Hexagonal shape creates unique flooring	Might be challenging to install for beginners
Waterproof	Patterns vary by box
Porcelain has a long lifespan
Easy to clean
Unique color patterns to stand out

Best for: The SomerTile porcelain hexagonal tiles are a fabulous choice for people who like a floor with contrasting colors that will pop with vibrancy.

7. Stone Center Black Marble Flooring Mosaic Tile

This black marble honeycomb mosaic tile by Stone Center consists of multiple 5″ hexagons that are 0.31″ thick. These polished, glossy tiles are waterproof and versatile, working for backsplashes or flooring in showers, bathrooms, or kitchens. 

Each sheet contains two columns and four rows of tiles (eight tiles per sheet), mounted to a 0.9 square foot mesh tile sheet with a 1/16″ wide grout. Each black tile has white veins and fine, compact grains.

You will have to install these sheets on a cement board or some other waterproof underlay and use cement or grout to seal the gaps.

Benefits	Disadvantages
Waterproof	Design may not appeal to all
Each sheet contains eight small tiles	No other colors available
Polished glossy look
White veins give character
Honeycomb design

Best for: This black marble honeycomb hexagonal tile would go well in modern-themed homes or a classic black and white design.

8. All American Carpet Tiles

If you want the look and feel of carpet without the difficult install, these All American carpet tiles might be suitable for you. These 23.5″ x 23.5″ peel and stick carpet tiles are easy to install for any skill level. 

You can create various configurations using different colors or by mixing up the level loop seams available in five colors. Installation is as simple as peeling off the plastic and placing the tile in place. The adhesive backing seals in place to almost any flooring and can pull up with ease if you want to change the design later. 

These 100% solution-dyed Olefin yarn tiles have Scotchgard Protector that prevents stains and soils and allows for use in any location, including dorm rooms, entryways, laundry rooms, playrooms, basements, and other areas where you want comfy cushioned carpeting. 

Benefits	Disadvantages
Easy to install	Because backing is releasable, tiles may slip
Scotchgard Protector	Texture may be rough for some users
Versatile use
Adhesive backing
Removable

Best for: The All American carpet tiles give you the advantages of the carpet but are easily installed and more affordable. This option will not stain like other carpets, making it perfect for areas with small children or pets.

9. FloorPops Peel & Stick Floor Tile

The FloorPops come in a Medina pattern that allows you to achieve an antique style flooring without the expensive costs of painted ceramic or porcelain tiles. 

These tiles have a peel and stick design that allows you to peel off the protective plastic and place the piece directly on your floor. It’s a simple solution for high quality for beginners. You will need a smoothing tool to ensure there are no air bubbles.

These 12″ x 12″ x .06″ thick tiles are virgin vinyl that’s water-resistant and easy to clean. The low luster finish and textured design give this flooring a classic appeal. 

Benefits	Disadvantages
Medina pattern	Requires a smoothing tool to prevent bubbles
Easy to install	Might be difficult to line up even without guidelines
Large tiles make your floor a showpiece
Water resistant
Easy to clean

Best for: The unique design of these peel and stick vinyl tabs makes them limited to rooms where you don’t mind dramatic flooring. Many people choose to use these in kitchens, laundry rooms, mudrooms, screened-in porches, or bathrooms.

10. Yaheetech Interlocking Patio Deck Tiles

These Yaheetech Interlocking patio deck tiles allow you to achieve the look of a real wood deck without the cost or hassle. Available in five colors, each wood plank receives a complete sanding to prevent splinters.

Grooves in each plank reduce the chances of slipping when wet. A plastic backing allows the panels to rest above the ground for adequate ventilation and drainage, making them perfect for outdoor use.

One box covers 27 square feet with 27 tiles (12″ x 12″) with 2.2″ wide fir wood planks (five planks per tile). The interlocking snaps make these tiles easy to connect and stay locked in place. And they’re easy to detach for easy cleaning or storing. 

Benefits	Disadvantages
Easy to install or take apart	Colors may vary from picture
Can set up anywhere	No sample product
Indoor/Outdoor use
Made with real wood planks
Grooved planks prevent slipping

Best for: The Yaheetech Interlocking patio deck tiles are the perfect way to have a wood deck for a fraction of the cost that’s removable and relocatable.

What Are The Most Popular Different Types Of Flooring Material?

Flooring comes in various types of materials, allowing you to find an option that meets your needs. Different materials will be better for specific areas of the house. For instance, in rooms with water, you’d need a water-resistant material, which rules out carpet and hardwood. Let’s look at some of the most popular types of flooring material. 

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors are the most common choice for flooring due to appearance and a return on investment (ROI). This type of flooring works well in many indoor spaces, although it isn’t the best choice for rooms with heavy traffic and the threat of getting wet, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or mudrooms. In some cases, you can use hardwood floors in the kitchen and dining room.

You can find prefinished or unfinished hardwood flooring as engineered or solid wood. Solid hardwood comes in ¾” tongue and groove planks. You can nail these solid planks to a wood subfloor or glue them down over the top of concrete. 

The biggest drawback of using hardwood (including engineered) is the price and the required maintenance to keep your floors looking great throughout the years. Any hardwood floor must have a clear coat (typically polyurethane) finish protecting the floors from moisture. However, this coating is prone to excessive wear and scratching if not cleaned correctly. 

Pro tip: If your flooring is prefinished, the work is done once you’ve installed the floors. But with unfinished flooring, you’ll need to sand it and add a finish on-site after installation. All hardwood floors require some type of topcoat that will protect the floors from damage. .

Engineered Wood

Engineered hardwood looks like real wood due to a thin layer of natural wood veneer covering layers of plywood (an inexpensive wood byproduct). This material allows you to enjoy the pleasure of wood grain without the high cost. 

This style can also install via nails or glue. Some options even come with click-together pieces that allow for installing a floating floor over a cork or foam underlay. And there are also tongue and groove types that form a tight seam without using nails or glue.

One advantage engineered wood has over hardwood is installing this material over existing floors like old hardwood or concrete subfloors. However, you can only refinish these floors once; unlike hardwood floors, you can refinish multiple times. 

You can use engineered wood floors in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and any places you would use hardwood. But you can also use it for enclosed porches and basements. 

Pro Tip: If you’re DIY installing your engineered hardwood floors, types that click together are the easiest and quickest to lay down, even for inexperienced users. Here’s a video showing three different methods of installing engineered hardwood floors.

Tile

Tile can be ceramic or porcelain and is a favorite for adding elegance and glamour to bathrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, entryways, mudrooms, or laundry rooms. 

If you’re looking for a material with the most versatile style and color, tile is the best option. You can find tiny mosaics, tiles that mimic wood, or large tab tiles, among others. 

Porcelain tiles offer the most durability and minimal upkeep. The grout does need periodic resealing to prevent stains. And you can find some excellent budget-friendly (or premium) tiles, allowing any budget to choose this material.

It’s important to consider that tile is both hard and cold, so it’s probably not the best solution for bedrooms, living rooms, playrooms, or formal dining rooms. And when using tile in wet locations like bathrooms or entryways, look for options with non-slip properties.

Pro Tip: Installing tile is labor-intensive but possible for DIY’ers. You will need a sturdy subfloor that can handle the weight of the tile and the tile backer base or cement board. If you’re new to tiling, watch a few how-to videos on YouTube. For small, simple jobs, you can tackle it yourself. But if you want a seamless spa look, it’s best left to the pros.

Bamboo

Bamboo is fast becoming a favorite for an eco-friendly alternative to hardwood floors. You can find bamboo flooring as solid strips or engineered planks in multiple patterns that enhance the grain differently. 

Bamboo that’s flat grain features darker stripes that highlight the bamboo nodes. Vertical grain features tightly packed long narrow strips. In comparison, end-grain bamboo features multiple short strips.

Benefits include easy installation, higher moisture resistance than wood (although it will swell or crack in high humidity), easy maintenance and cleaning, and multiple refinishes. Darker colors are less durable than light shades. And it’s prone to scratches and dents.

Pro tip: Although bamboo is an eco-friendly option because it grows faster than wood and absorbs carbon, most bamboo comes from China, which causes a higher carbon footprint. When shopping for bamboo products, check with the manufacturer to discover origin and production. Some varieties have formaldehyde-containing glues that can be harmful.

Laminate

Laminate is a cost-friendly solution for people who want the look of hardwood floors without the steep price tag. This flooring is made of resin and wood pulp, designed to resemble natural wood (from maple or cherry to reclaimed barn wood or wide-plank pine). 

This option is a medium-density-fiberboard (MDF) core with a top photo layer covered by a polymer finish. Most laminate flooring is click-together to form a floating floor, allowing for a faster, easier installation. Although it’s possible to glue laminate down, it’s rarely necessary and often unadvised.

The biggest downside of laminate is that you can’t refinish the surface if it shows signs of damage. If your laminate gets damaged, there is no way to repair it. You’ll have to replace the piece. 

Now, laminate does have a durable finish that’s stain and moisture-resistant. But if moisture gets into the joints between the planks, it can cause the material to chip and swell. The bottom line is that laminate is a reasonably affordable flooring alternative to hardwood.

Pro tip: Laminate is an affordable DIY solution to installing hardwoods. Before deciding to do the work yourself, check out this video to see the process and some helpful tips. Some beginners may find the technique too intimidating to attempt solo.

Linoleum

Anyone who lived in the 1990s or prior remembers linoleum floors, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. Thankfully, this product has changed with the times and is now available in a wide range of colors and styles in plank, tile, or sheet form. 

Many people choose to install linoleum in high traffic areas of the house where there’s high moisture (kitchen, bathroom dining rooms, or laundry rooms) due to this material’s water resistance. 

This type of flooring is made with natural materials such as linseed oil, cork, and jute. If you like bright colors, linoleum is the pick for you. You can find mid to high-end products, but there are no budget picks.

Pro tip: Which type of linoleum you choose will affect the installation process. But most varieties are easy to DIY. Here’s a video demonstrating how to install sheet linoleum. If you’re installing linoleum square tiles, try this demonstration. Or this one for linoleum planks.

Cork

Cork is another resilient, sustainable flooring that comes as tiles that glue to the floor or planks that click together to form a floating floor. You can use cork flooring in living rooms, bedrooms, playrooms, and sometimes kitchens. But it’s not for high traffic areas or wet locations like mudrooms, laundry rooms, or bathrooms. 

This material is highly eco-friendly due to being made of bark from a tree that can be harvested every eight to ten years without hurting the tree. This bark is then boiled clean, ground, and mixed with resin to form compressed sheets that are baked in a kiln to complete. A few types have a natural cork veneer over high-density fiberboard or compressed cork (engineered cork). 

Advantages include a warm, cushy floor under your feet that’s slip-proof, resistant to mold, fire, termites, and mildew, with a lifespan of 40 years with the correct maintenance. However, it’s not resistant to moisture, dents, tears, or scratches and requires resealing every two to three years using polyurethane and wax. 

Pro tip: Cork is another moderate DIY flooring installation that you can tackle by following this video. Try this video for installing cork tiles that you have to glue to your subfloor.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are a combination of shale and clay placed in a kiln to heat up and form hard pieces. This material comes in various colors, patterns, and shapes, but not all types will be durable enough to use for flooring.

This type of tile can come as glazed ceramic (glass-like coating in any color or texture), quarry tile (unglazed with a rough texture for more slip-resistance in limited colors), terracotta (unglazed tile in earth tones), or porcelain (extra-hard and durable as unglazed or glazed with stain-resistance).

As we mentioned in the tile category above, ceramic tiles will be hard and cold under your feet and make footsteps sound louder. This material isn’t desirable for all home areas, especially with small children or cold climates.

Pro tip: Tile can be a DIY job, but you’ll have to pay close attention to details to ensure your product comes out clean and polished. You may run into trouble if you have to cut pieces of your tile for corners. Here’s a video on how to install ceramic tile flooring.

Carpet

Carpet needs no introduction, as everyone has seen a carpeted floor at least once in their life. The most significant pull that attracts clients who are debating between different flooring types is the many different styles and colors. 

This flooring is also easy to install and looks great (at first). Because the texture is soft, cushiony, and textured, carpet is an excellent addition to areas of the home where you want to minimize noise from footsteps. 

Many people prefer to use carpets in bedrooms or as flooring for upper levels of a multistory home. But this is a less preferred option for high traffic areas downstairs, like living rooms or dining rooms. And it should never go in locations with significant moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. 

Due to the fabric’s tendency to stain, any spills or dirt can irreversibly damage the carpet, causing the carpet to lose its appeal, resistance, and lifespan. Pets, children, and improper cleaning are the biggest threats to the carpet.

When choosing a carpet for your home, you’ll need to weigh the color and style carefully. Your color choice should be a neutral shade that will go with the current and future design themes. 

Pro Tip: Installing carpet can be a tedious task that might be challenging for DIYers. Here’s a video showing the process. Many people prefer to leave carpet installation to a professional. If you’re considering selling your house, carpets with bright colors usually get your home rejected by sellers.

Stone

Stone flooring allows you to enjoy an elegant, luxurious material with depth and dimension. Natural stone materials are pretty popular and hugely expensive and can include marble, slate, travertine, and granite. 

While these materials are more durable, the different materials can require other care. Polished surfaces show scuffs and scratch more than a tumbled surface. Unfortunately, these surfaces can chip with impacts and have porous surfaces that can be difficult to clean and easy to stain. 

Some stone tiles can even work for outdoor settings, like patios, outdoor courtyards, and enclosed porches. Due to the hard surface, these floorings might not be an ideal solution for children’s rooms, playrooms, or bedrooms.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Pro tip: Natural stone tiles are heavy and can be difficult to lay, often requiring professional installation rather than DIY. Here’s a video demonstrating the install process if you want to try it yourself. Be aware that the porousness of the stone can affect the material’s durability. The more absorbent the material, the more likely it will be to crack, stain, or swell.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a resilient type of flooring that comes in easy-to-install planks, sheets, or tiles. These floors do not have to be glued or nailed down on your floor, making for a quick install.

And their moisture resistance makes them the perfect addition to kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms, and basements where there’s high moisture and the risk of water getting on the floor.

Vinyl is a type of plastic, typically a mixture of acrylic, PVC, and other polymers. You can find this flooring in different styles, prices, and qualities – budget, mid-range, and premium. 

Pro Tip: Vinyl is a great DIY option due to the ease of installation. Even if you’ve never put down a floor before, you should be able to install vinyl planks or tiles with minimal issues. Check out this video to see how easy it is!

Polished Concrete

Polished concrete floors are becoming a successful design feature for modern-style homes. Because concrete is wet and dries hard after being poured, you can add stains, dyes, or color pigments that turn your concrete a different color than the traditional dull gray.

This type of flooring can have extended longevity, extreme durability, and versatile use for indoor or outdoor settings. Many people choose concrete floors for their main living spaces, including living rooms, playrooms, dining rooms, laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and dens due to the water resistance and easy cleaning.

However, due to the hardness, it might not be suitable flooring for small children or people with stability issues, as a fall can cause injury. Adding an area rug over your concrete floors adds warmth and comfort.

Pro tip: Although there are only five steps required to install polished concrete flooring, due to the difficulty, intensive labor, and time, most people prefer to leave the job to the pros. Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing polished concrete floors, and here’s a helpful video.

What Is the Best Flooring for Different Rooms of the House? 

The great news about having so many different flooring materials is that you can choose floorings based on location. Different areas in your home will have varying needs.

Kitchen

Kitchens require special considerations when it comes to flooring. Many people spend a significant portion of their time in the kitchen, whether to cook, eat, or conversationalize.

In addition to needing to hold up well to frequent, heavy traffic, kitchen floors should also be water-resistant or waterproof. But you’ll also need to consider whether the floor becomes slick when wet. Kitchens do best with non-slip floors.

And finally, you’ll need something easy to clean and comfortable to stand on for long periods (such as cleaning or cooking). The most popular choices for kitchen flooring are linoleum, natural stone, ceramic tile, and some woods that have water resistance.

Pro tip: When considering color, think about how your flooring will match your walls, cabinets, and backsplash. Light colors can make smaller spaces appear larger, while darker colors might hide dirt and scuffs better. Darker colors can also help tone down a room that’s so bright, it’s almost sterile.

Bathroom

Floors in the bathroom require waterproofing, as there’s high moisture and a significant chance of the floor getting wet. 

Natural stone materials work excellently in high-moisture environments like the bathroom. Consider limestone, marble, granite, or slate. A ceramic tile is also a suitable option that might be more affordable. 

For those on a tight budget, vinyl tiles or linoleum are reasonable solutions that can be easy to DIY, allowing maximum savings. Concrete floors are also great in bathrooms, although it’s best to leave this install to the pros. 

Pro tip: Any material used in the bathroom will need to go over the cement board or other waterproof subflooring to prevent the floor from rotting out if water seeps through the flooring.

Living Room

The living room, family room, den, and playrooms allow you to choose from various materials. Because just about any material can work in this area, you’re only limited by personal choice. 

If you want to add warmth to your room, stone tiles or hardwood are great options. Complete the design by placing area rugs to break up the open space and for cozy cushioning. Carpet is another popular choice.

Pro tip: When choosing area rugs, match the colors with other color accents in your room like the curtains, throw pillows, or lamps. Light colors help brighten a dark room, while darker colors go well with rustic or modern designs.

Bedroom

The bedroom also gives you the freedom to choose from a wide variety of materials. This is another place that’s more about personal preference. However, you may want to consider a material that offers noise reduction.

You can also use area rugs to keep your feet warm if you use cold, hard materials like wood, tile, or laminate. Rugs can also reduce the sound of footsteps. 

Many people place carpets in the bedroom, especially for small children at risk of falling. But carpets are easy to stain and hard to clean, which is why rugs are the best of both worlds.

Pro tip: Stone and ceramic tile can cause an echo effect with footsteps, vibrations, or other noise. Laminate and wood also intensify the sound of feet, making them poor options for bedrooms when used alone. Cork is an eco-friendly, sound-muffling option that’s priced reasonably.

Considerations When Buying Flooring

When choosing flooring for your home, it helps to have specific criteria to consider. Doing so ensures you pick a product that will meet your individual needs. Let’s look at a few factors you will want to consider when buying flooring.

Durability

Any flooring needs to be durable, which is why there are materials specifically designed for this purpose. When shopping for flooring, consider the room and its uses. 

If your room experiences high traffic, such as entryways, living rooms, or family rooms, you’ll want a flooring material that can withstand lots of use while being resistant to scratches, dents, and heavy use. 

Installation

Another factor to consider is installation. If you plan to DIY your floors, you may have limits on the type of material you choose, especially if you’re a beginner. 

As you browse through the different materials of flooring we present, you’ll see that we list pro tips about the installation of the flooring, including helpful videos and the necessary experience level. 

Cleaning

Another factor that can play a significant role in your decision-making process is the ease of cleaning. You wouldn’t want to choose the flooring that you will have to clean after each use. 

You also don’t want a material that gets dirty quickly, doesn’t last long, or is difficult to clean. Most floors require sweeping and mopping (or cleaning with a vacuum for hard floors). 

Carpets require a vacuum for regular cleaning and steam cleaning for deep cleaning. Because these materials are fabric, they can stain and soil quickly. 

Some materials like tile and hardwood need refinishing or updated regularly to keep them in optimal condition.  

Price

The final consideration should always be the budget. The majority of homeowners have limited funds allocated for new flooring.

Materials vary in costs, so there’s something for everyone’s budget. Many imitation materials let you get the look of the material you want without the steep price. 

You can find synthetic products that look like wood, stone, and other natural materials, that are easy to install, affordable, and long-lasting.

Types of Flooring FAQ

Which type of flooring is best?

It’s difficult to say which material is best since there are multiple types of materials and some rooms need different features. Laminate, linoleum, or vinyl work great for rooms where there’s water. Hardwood or engineered wood is suitable for all other areas of the home.

What is the most durable type of flooring?

Porcelain tile is the most durable flooring material, able to resist moisture, scratches, dents, and other damage. It also requires less maintenance and is the easiest to clean.

What are the types of flooring commonly used?

The most commonly used flooring materials are carpet, linoleum, vinyl, hardwood, tile (porcelain and ceramic) and laminate.

What is the longest lasting flooring?

The longest lasting flooring is tile, either ceramic or porcelain. 

Where to buy home flooring online?

Overstock.com, Amazon, and straight from the manufacturer’s website are the best places to shop online. Wayfair is also an option.

What Is the Best Flooring for Pets?

The best material for pets is vinyl, due to its durability. Tile, laminate, bamboo, and solid or  engineered hardwood are also viable options.

Are There Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Flooring Products?

Bamboo and cork are two eco-friendly products. Bamboo is considered sustainable because it grows quickly and cork is made from tree bark, without harming the tree in any way.

Can I Have Different Types of Flooring in my House?

Floors can be matching (all the same floors) or coordinated, which is when you use different types and colors of floors that complement each other. There is no right or wrong answer.

How Many Different Types of Flooring Can I Have in my House?

You can have a different flooring in every room in your house if you want but this rarely creates a cohesive look. 

Should Wood Floors Match Throughout the House?

Attempting to match up all the wood floors in your home can be challenging unless you redo every room at the same time. And even then, there may not be a complete matchup of grains. 

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this review of the best types of flooring to consider for your home. Be sure to keep the buyer’s guide handy when you’re ready to shop. Our criteria will help you pick materials that suit your room’s needs. Don’t forget to check out our top ten recommended products first thing.