Pros: Hardwoods look very lovely and have a high resale value. They are also really easy to clean as they usually only require vacuuming.
Cons: The cost is the most significant drawback. They are also loud to walk on, and real hardwoods also need occasionally refinishing.
Best Rooms: The best place to have a hardwood floor is in a living room as it looks stylish and is also not a high-traffic area like the foyer so it can remain protected. You can also treat yourself to a beautiful rug to muffle the noise.
Pros: Glazed ceramic tile is not only water resistant, but it’s very durable and resistant to scratches too. Tile comes in many sizes and materials, such as marble, porcelain, travertine, slate, and granite. It’s also straightforward to clean.
Cons: As well as being very loud to walk on and echoey, tile can also be cold, and heating systems are costly. If tile cracks it can be hard to repair and if the grout gets stained it needs to be cleaned.
Best Rooms: As tile is water resistant, it is perfect for a bathroom or a kitchen. It can also work well in a dining area if food and drinks are spilled frequently.
Pros: Laminate is excellent as it does not easily scratch, and if it does, you can rub on a little vegetable oil, and it’ll come right out. Laminate can also look like real wood or tile, and it can even be difficult to tell if it is real or not. Like hardwoods, laminate flooring is easy to clean, and you can even make your own natural house cleaners, and the laminate is also excellent if you have pets because it can’t be scratched or stained.
Cons: Water can ruin laminate flooring, and if it does get destroyed, unlike real hardwoods, the laminate cannot be refinished.
Best Rooms: Laminate is excellent for busy areas of the house such as a foyer or any room with a lot of activity because of its durability. However, as it should not get wet, it’s not advisable to put it in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room.
Pros: Carpet feels soft as well as looking lovely in a room. It is quiet when walking on it and prevents echoing throughout a home. Carpet is also quick and simple to install.
Cons: Although advancements in fiber technology mean that carpet is now more stain-resistant, it can still suffer stains. Even when it’s cleaned frequently, it can still contain hidden dirt. Carpet also needs to be steam-cleaned every now and again to keep it fresh. Also, carpet is not good for people who have allergies.
Best Rooms: The best place for carpet is quiet rooms, such as bedrooms, to minimize the dirt that gets trapped in it. It also gives bedrooms a more cozy look and feel.
Pros: Like carpet, vinyl is gentle on your feet, and it’s a cheap option compared to some of the other flooring options.
Cons: Although vinyl has improved massively and can look very close to wood or tile, it still does not look as good as the real thing. Vinyl can dent and tear quite quickly, and can also be tricky to clean.
Best Rooms: Vinyl is good for a laundry room as it can shield a lot of the sound from your washing machine. It could also work really well in bathrooms and the kitchen because it adds warmth.