Picking out the perfect flooring for your home can seem like a monumental task. If carpet is already out of the question, you still have quite a few options to select between such as hardwood flooring, tile flooring, luxury vinyl flooring and laminate flooring. Choosing the right flooring for you and your home will depend upon a few factors, including the level of moisture resistance needed, average wear that your floor will get and the overall look and feel that best fits your style. Read on for great facts about each of these hard flooring types to help advise you on your flooring journey.

Why choose hard flooring?

There are many benefits to owning a hard floor surface over a traditional carpet. One of the biggest draws is the ‘easy to clean’ aspect that comes from the smooth, solid surface. Hard flooring doesn’t allow dirt and spills to hide, making the cleanup process easier. In the same vein, because hard flooring doesn’t have fibers that can trap dust and microorganisms, it can be a better choice for those who suffer from allergies. If you’re still not sold, consider the vast beauty and versatility of hard flooring options. Hardwood, tile, luxury vinyl and laminate floors can be elegant looking, have good resale value and can complement any room throughout your home.

How to choose flooring for your room

If you need to resurface your living room, hardwood flooring may be the way to go! The natural material will look stylish, warm and inviting, making it the perfect choice for an entertainment room. Not to mention, it is super easy to add a pop of color to your room by pairing hardwood flooring with a cozy rug or two. Tile flooring is often used for a bathroom or kitchen due to its water-resistant nature. A luxurious tile would also work well in a formal dining area, as its surface makes cleaning up spills from food and/or drink a breeze. If you’re looking for a stylish, cost-effective and extremely functional choice, vinyl may be the best choice. Luxury vinyl is available in many wood like aesthetics, making it a stunning choice for your upper and main levels, as well as some demanding spaces. It not only muffles noise but works well in many rooms like bathrooms, your kitchen, basement or entryway from the pool because it adds a bit of warmth and is also mildew resistant. Laminate flooring has also come a long way over the years. It is available in a wide range of styles, and is durable and easy to maintain—making it a good choice for almost any room.

What is the Most Durable Flooring?

Hard flooring is, by nature, more durable than carpet, making it one of the most popular flooring choices for homes and commercial properties. While a quality coated hardwood floor can be long-lasting and look beautiful in your kitchen or high-traffic areas, you will see some degradation over time. Wood floors are porous and softer than other hard floor options, so you will eventually have issues with water and stains. Resurfacing can fix many of these issues. However, an aged and well-loved hardwood floor can really shine as the wear will give it personality over-time and will not diminish functionality. Your rustic hardwood floor will look lovely paired with a farmhouse or vintage styled kitchen.

Want high performance and the look of beautiful hardwood, all at a lower price point? The man-made option, luxury vinyl, is almost impermeable to damage and practically water-resistant. It is also easy to clean! Yet, performance isn’t the only benefit. Luxury vinyl plank or tile is available in many styles to mimic real hardwood floors.

If you’re going to put your floor through a lot, between spilled food, kids running around with pets, dropped pots and pans, and more, then tile floors are another great match. Ceramic tile is manufactured to be incredibly resilient and resistant to stains and water with its ultra-hard surface. Tile floors will last decades with little to no change in function or appearance.

What is the best flooring for wet areas

If you know that your floor will potentially come in contact with water, think entryways from your deck or pool to basements, luxury vinyl flooring will be a lifesaver! Luxury vinyl flooring is highly water-resistant, making it a premium choice for moisture-prone traffic areas. Vinyl has evolved tremendously over the years and is available in many different looks, which means you don’t have to compromise style for functionality. Vinyl is also ultra-quiet and rather inexpensive compared to other flooring choices, making it the perfect choice for many of your home flooring projects. Tile and laminate flooring also offer different levels of water resistance, but you’ll want to avoid real wood flooring for water-prone areas.

What is more expensive, wood or tile flooring?

When it comes to expenses, premium wood flooring can cost more than premium tile, but tile typically costs more to install—making it the more expensive choice overall. Hardwood floors are durable and breath-taking, and their initial cost usually makes up for itself by adding instant, desired value to your home. Wood floors also need less maintenance than carpet and are fairly easy to fix if damaged, making them a smart long-term investment. Installation costs for hardwood floors typically run less than tile flooring, but many factors, such as materials and plank structure, will alter the cost of labor.

Tile can vary greatly in cost, and a professional installation will be a considerable amount of the total cost. Ceramic tile options are endless, and the market is full of thousands of color and styles that will fit any design. Costs will vary greatly depending on the type of tile you desire—whether it be concrete to marble to clay tile floors. More expensive options almost always mean added value to your home, which is a win-win considering their durability and luxurious beauty.

There are many factors that come into play when choosing new hard flooring for your room or home. Preferences on foot-step sound, feel, design and style are all important personal points to consider. When deciding between the right hard flooring for your home, it is also important to weigh the advantages between the various types of hard flooring, such as durability, moisture-resistance, maintenance and total investment and return. Hardwood, tile, luxury vinyl and laminate are all durable and elegant hard flooring options sure to enhance your home’s beauty and value.

Head on over to our Flooring Installation Prep guide to learn more about getting ready for your flooring installation.