Types of Flooring: Choosing the Best Option for Your Home

Your choice of flooring sets the foundation for the overall ambiance and functionality of your living space. With an abundance of options available in the market, navigating through the choices can be overwhelming. Explore the different types of flooring when building your new home to find the best fit for your home, with insights on durability, style, and installation for each option.

What is the best flooring to use in a house?

When it comes to choosing the best flooring for your house, the decision is as personal as it gets, influenced by lifestyle, aesthetics, and practical considerations. For generations, hardwood flooring has provided an undeniable warmth and elegance to our homes. The natural beauty of hardwood flooring not only provides an abundance of character to our homes but also remarkable durability, making it a great investment. Of course, each flooring type has its merits, and factors like budget, room usage, and maintenance play crucial roles in the decision-making process. While many may have a soft spot for hardwood floors, us included, the best flooring for your house ultimately depends on your unique preferences and lifestyle demands.

What is the most durable type of flooring?

As previously mentioned, the durability of hardwood flooring is inescapable. In comparison to different types of flooring, engineered hardwood strikes the perfect balance between resilience and timeless appeal, making it a top choice for durable flooring! Its layered construction, combining a real wood veneer with a high-density fiberboard, not only provides exceptional durability against wear and tear but also withstands fluctuations in temperature and humidity. This resistance becomes very beneficial for areas prone to moisture, like the basement or kitchen. Following its longevity, there are many variations of wood finishes available, making your seamless aesthetic achievable. If you’re looking for flooring that stands the test of time, our vote is in engineered hardwood! 

What is the most popular flooring for homes today?

Navigating through the trends and shifts in interior design, it’s clear that hardwood flooring remains a favorite among homeowners. Undoubtedly, this charm gives a rich color and the natural warmth of hardwood that not only adds a touch of classic elegance but also seamlessly blends with various interior styles. Not only is it an aesthetic choice, but it’s also a practical choice. Research shows that about two-thirds of American homeowners see hardwood floors as a major component of their dream homes (1). While a lot of trends may come and go, it appears hardwood flooring is here to stay. 

What flooring never goes out of style?

Once again, hardwood flooring will steal the spotlight for its timeless appeal. When delving into the realm of flooring that maintains a perpetual sense of style, hardwood emerges as an undisputed and enduring choice. Hardwood flooring has consistently transcended evolving trends, making architects and designers recognize its versatility and resilience. The popularity of hardwood floors will seemingly never go out of style as more and more homeowners are picking its variations to fit into their homes seamlessly. 

Which is the healthiest flooring for homes?

Solid Wood

Solid hardwood floors are considered the healthiest flooring for homes as they are natural and toxin-free. Solid wood flooring has many benefits, including but not limited to: 

• Sustainable 
• Timeless 
• Easy to maintain  
• Increase in home value 
• Toxin Free

Natural Linoleum

Natural linoleum is composed of a mixture of renewable natural materials, making a healthy and safe flooring material. Natural Linoleum has many benefits, including but not limited to: 

• Durable 
• Water Resistant 
• Biodegradable 
• Toxin Free
• Scratch resistant 
• Easy to maintain 

Cork Flooring 

Cork is a natural and renewable flooring that is made out of cork oak trees. Cork flooring has many benefits, including but not limited to: 

• Durable 
• Toxin Free
• Resistant to Mold, Mildew, Termites, and Fire
• Comfortable 
• Versatile 

Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is a natural take on modern flooring. Bamboo flooring has many benefits, including but not limited to: 

• Durable 
• Easy to maintain 
• Pest Resistant 

Tile Flooring

It is no longer limited to just the bathroom. While this flooring choice is very modern, it’s also healthy. Tile flooring has many benefits, including but not limited to:

• Durable 
• Easy to maintain and clean 
• Stain and scratch-resistant 

What is the easiest floor to maintain?

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring, whether vinyl plank flooring or vinyl tile, it’s known to be one of the easiest types of flooring to clean and maintain. Thanks to the material vinyl are made from, this flooring is less likely to cling to dust and debris. The properties of this flooring allow for the cleaning process to be as simple as a periodic mop and sweep to keep the floor clean. Not only does vinyl flooring offer easy clean-up but sheet vinyl is known for its affordable price. This type of flooring is available in a wide variety of styles and can also be done as a DIY! LVP – or Luxury Vinyl Plank – is a type of flooring that is very popular today because it provides the same look of hardwood and typically is easy to install.

Laminate Flooring 

Similar to vinyl flooring, laminate flooring is very easy to maintain and keep clean. Laminate flooring may even collect even less dust and dirt than vinyl flooring, making them a great option for individuals looking for easy-to-maintain floors! 

What is the most scratch-resistant flooring?

Bamboo flooring is known to be one of the most durable and scratch-resistant flooring options. The adhesive mixed with the bamboo stalks produces a very strong structure, making them a great option for flooring. Additionally, bamboo flooring is extremely water resistant! If you’re interested in bamboo flooring, keep in mind that bamboo may be more expensive due to its short harvest time. 

What is the least expensive type of flooring?

Several budget-friendly flooring options that look great and don’t break the bank! Here are a few options:

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is similar to hardwood at a much lower price! Laminate flooring typically costs $1 – $6+ per square foot.

Carpet

If you’re looking for cozy and affordable flooring, carpet is a great option! The carpet will typically cost anywhere between $2 – $7+ per square foot. 

Polished Concrete

If you’re looking for a more modern and clean approach, consider polished concrete! Polished concrete typically ranges from $2 – $8+ per square foot. 

What is the highest quality flooring?

The highest quality of flooring will typically be solid hardwood flooring. Unlike engineered hardwood flooring, solid wood flooring is made from solid wood rather than a thin veneer of wood. Solid hardwood is typically on the higher end of cost as the making and installment are intricate and done at high standards. While solid hardwood floors look and feel elegant, they are also very durable and can last you decades! 

Consumers still crave hardwood flooring. Consumers still crave hardwood flooring | Features | Floor Covering Weekly. (n.d.). https://www.floorcoveringweekly.com/main/features/consumers-still-crave-hardwood-flooring-37723

Pelchen, L. (2023, June 15). These 5 cheap flooring options will look awesome and save you money. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/flooring/cheap-flooring-options/