Understanding Different Home Flooring Options: Choosing the Best for Your Home

Let me walk you through what makes certain floors stand out and how they contribute not just to a room’s look but its overall atmosphere. From luxurious hardwoods that add warmth and character, to versatile vinyl that offers both durability and style without breaking the bank – there’s something for everyone.

Exploring Various Home Flooring Options

Few features in the home combine form and function quite like flooring. You literally walk all over it, yet it’s also a crucial design element, every bit as visually impactful as paint colors and furniture.

Then there’s the size of the investment, especially if you’re redoing the floors throughout your entire home. “It’s not far behind the cost of a new car or all new kitchen appliances, but most people aren’t armed with nearly as much information,” says Carol Swedlow, President of Aronson’s Floor Covering, which has been selling all manner of flooring out of its New York City showroom since 1867.

We’ve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Understanding Vinyl Flooring

LL Flooring: Formerly known as Lumber Liquidators, LL Flooring has more than 400 locations across 47 states, plus an excellent website that makes it easy to find the right flooring and receive up to four free samples.

Floor & Décor: Though LL Flooring has the most locations, Floor & Décor sells the most flooring, so you’re guaranteed to find a wide selection of vinyl floors at all price points. For those of you eager to save some cash by laying down your own flooring, the site’s got a treasure trove of virtual how-to clinics.

Vinyl flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners due to its durability, affordability, and versatility. It’s made from synthetic materials, primarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and comes in a wide range of styles, colors, and patterns that can mimic the look of natural materials like wood, stone, or tile.

One big perk of choosing vinyl flooring is how it stands up to water, making it a perfect pick for places that often get wet – think kitchens, bathrooms, and where you do your laundry. It’s also easy to clean and maintain, requiring only regular sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming to keep it looking its best.

Benefits of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a classic choice that adds warmth, beauty, and value to any home. It’s made from solid wood planks and comes in a variety of species, such as oak, maple, cherry, and walnut, each with its own unique grain patterns and colors.

One of the main benefits of hardwood flooring is its durability. With proper care and maintenance, hardwood floors can last for decades, even in high-traffic areas. They’re also relatively easy to clean and maintain, requiring only regular sweeping, dusting, or vacuuming to remove dirt and debris.

Another perk of choosing hardwood floors is how they never go out of style. Unlike some flooring trends that come and go, hardwood floors never go out of style, making them a smart investment for homeowners looking to increase the value of their property.

Why Choose Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a cost-effective alternative to hardwood that offers many of the same benefits, including durability, easy maintenance, and a wide range of styles and colors. It’s made from a high-density fiberboard core topped with a photographic image of wood, stone, or tile, and finished with a clear protective layer.

One of the main advantages of laminate flooring is its affordability. This option often comes with a friendlier price tag than hardwood or tile, which is why so many folks watching their budget tend to lean towards it. It’s also easy to install, with most laminate flooring featuring a click-lock system that allows the planks to snap together without the need for glue or nails.

Another benefit of laminate flooring is its resistance to scratches, dents, and stains, making it a practical choice for households with kids or pets. It’s also easy to clean and maintain, requiring only regular sweeping, dusting, or mopping to keep it looking its best.

Tile Flooring: A Versatile Choice

Tile flooring is a versatile and durable option that comes in a wide range of materials, including ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and glass. It’s a popular choice for high-moisture areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways, as well as for creating unique designs and patterns throughout the home.

One of the main benefits of tile flooring is its water resistance. It’s impervious to moisture, making it an ideal choice for areas prone to spills or splashes. It’s also easy to clean and maintain, requiring only regular sweeping, mopping, or wiping to keep it looking its best.

Another advantage of tile flooring is its durability. When properly installed and maintained, tile floors can last for decades, even in high-traffic areas. They’re also resistant to scratches, dents, and stains, making them a practical choice for busy households.

Flooring Installation: What You Need to Know

Installing new flooring can be a daunting task, but with the right tools, materials, and know-how, it’s a project that many homeowners can tackle themselves. However, for those who prefer to leave it to the professionals, there are plenty of experienced flooring installers who can get the job done quickly and efficiently.

The Process of Installing Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring is a popular choice for DIY installers due to its easy click-lock installation system. The process typically involves the following steps:

1. Prepare the subfloor by ensuring it’s clean, dry, and level.
2. Lay down the underlayment, if necessary, to provide a moisture barrier and reduce noise.
3. Start laying the planks in one corner of the room, working your way out towards the opposite wall.
4. Use a tapping block and rubber mallet to ensure a tight fit between the planks.
5. Cut the planks as needed to fit around obstacles or to fill in gaps along the walls.
6. Install trim pieces, such as baseboards or quarter rounds, to cover any expansion gaps and create a finished look.

In addition, more complex projects such as mobile home leveling (a process that helps prevent the home from shifting on an unstable foundation) or replacing floor joists and subfloors are best left to the professionals. A pro can take a good look at what’s wrong and suggest the smartest way to fix it. They can help the homeowner decide between repairs and replacement and provide evidence for the better choice. Choosing a contractor who specializes in a particular type of flooring or mobile home flooring can help a homeowner ensure the job is done right the first time.

Hardwood Flooring Installation Tips

Installing hardwood flooring requires a bit more skill and experience than vinyl plank, but it’s still a project that many DIY enthusiasts can handle. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Acclimate the flooring to the room’s temperature and humidity levels for at least 72 hours before installation.
• Use a moisture meter to ensure the subfloor and flooring materials are within the acceptable moisture range.
• Start the installation along the longest wall in the room, working your way towards the opposite wall.
• Use a pneumatic flooring nailer to secure the planks in place, ensuring a tight fit between each board.
• Stagger the end joints of the planks by at least 6 inches to create a more natural, random pattern.
• Leave an expansion gap of at least 1/2 inch around the perimeter of the room to allow for natural expansion and contraction.

How to Install Laminate Floors?

Laminate flooring is another popular choice for DIY installers due to its easy click-lock installation system. The process is similar to that of vinyl plank flooring, with a few key differences:

1. Prepare the subfloor by ensuring it’s clean, dry, and level.
2. Lay down the underlayment, which is typically a foam pad that provides a moisture barrier and reduces noise.
3. Start laying the planks in one corner of the room, working your way out towards the opposite wall.
4. Use a tapping block and rubber mallet to ensure a tight fit between the planks.
5. Cut the planks as needed to fit around obstacles or to fill in gaps along the walls.
6. Install trim pieces, such as baseboards or quarter rounds, to cover any expansion gaps and create a finished look.

Installing Tile Floors: A Step-by-Step Guide

Installing tile flooring is a more involved process that requires a bit more skill and experience than other types of flooring. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Prepare the subfloor by ensuring it’s clean, dry, and level.
2. Lay out the tiles in a dry run to determine the best placement and to make any necessary cuts.
3. Apply a layer of thinset mortar to the subfloor using a notched trowel.
4. Place the tiles into the mortar, using spacers to ensure even gaps between each tile.
5. Allow the mortar to dry completely, typically 24-48 hours.
6. Apply grout between the tiles using a rubber float, then wipe away any excess with a damp sponge.
7. Allow the grout to dry completely, then apply a sealer to protect it from stains and moisture.

Choosing the Right Floor for Your Lifestyle

Picking the perfect floor for your home boils down to understanding how you live and what each room demands. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind:

Kid and Pet-Friendly Floors

If you have kids or pets, you’ll want to choose a flooring material that’s durable, easy to clean, and resistant to scratches, dents, and stains. Some of the best options include:

• Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): This material is water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean, making it a great choice for households with kids or pets.
• Laminate: Like LVP, laminate flooring is durable, easy to clean, and resistant to scratches and dents.
• Tile: Tile flooring is another great option for households with kids or pets, as it’s water-resistant, easy to clean, and highly durable.

Flooring Options for High-Traffic Areas

For high-traffic areas like entryways, hallways, and living rooms, you’ll want to choose a flooring material that can withstand heavy foot traffic and frequent use. Some of the best options include:

• Hardwood: Hardwood flooring is a durable and long-lasting option that can withstand heavy foot traffic, especially if it’s a harder species like oak or maple.
• Tile: Tile flooring is another great option for high-traffic areas, as it’s highly durable and resistant to wear and tear.
• Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): LVP is a durable and water-resistant option that can withstand heavy foot traffic and frequent use.

Best Floors for Outdoor Spaces

If you’re looking to update the flooring in your outdoor spaces, such as a patio or deck, you’ll want to choose a material that’s durable, weather-resistant, and easy to maintain. Some of the best options include:

• Composite decking: This material is made from a blend of wood fibers and plastic, making it highly durable and resistant to moisture, insects, and decay.
• Concrete: Concrete is a durable and low-maintenance option that can be stamped or stained to resemble other materials like stone or tile.
• Outdoor tile: Outdoor tile is a great option for patios and pool decks, as it’s slip-resistant, easy to clean, and highly durable.

Eco-Friendly Flooring Choices

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly flooring option, there are several materials to choose from, including:

• Bamboo: Bamboo flooring is a sustainable and renewable option that’s highly durable and easy to maintain.
• Cork: Cork flooring is another sustainable option that’s made from the bark of cork oak trees, which can be harvested without harming the tree.
• Reclaimed wood: Reclaimed wood flooring is made from salvaged wood from old buildings or structures, making it an eco-friendly and unique option.

In addition to these materials, many flooring manufacturers are now offering products made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles or rubber tires, which can help reduce waste and support sustainability efforts.

Maximizing Your Budget: Affordable Home Flooring Options

Splurging on flooring can feel like a big hit to your wallet, but don’t worry—there are plenty of budget-friendly options out there that won’t make you compromise on either style or quality. Here are a few top picks:

The Cost-Effectiveness of Vinyl Plank

Vinyl plank flooring is one of the most affordable options on the market, with prices starting as low as $1 per square foot. Despite its low cost, vinyl plank offers many of the same benefits as more expensive flooring materials, including durability, water resistance, and easy maintenance.

In addition to its affordability, vinyl plank is also easy to install, which can help you save on labor costs if you choose to do it yourself. Many vinyl plank products feature a click-lock installation system that allows you to simply snap the planks together without the need for glue or nails.

Affordable Hardwood Flooring Alternatives

If you love the look of hardwood flooring but don’t want to break the bank, there are several affordable alternatives to consider, including:

• Engineered wood: This material is made from layers of wood veneer bonded together with adhesive, making it more stable and affordable than solid hardwood.
• Bamboo: Bamboo flooring is a sustainable and affordable option that offers a similar look and feel to hardwood.
• Laminate: Laminate flooring is another affordable alternative to hardwood that offers a similar look and feel at a fraction of the cost.

Laminate Flooring: A Budget-Friendly Choice

Laminate flooring is a popular choice for budget-conscious homeowners due to its affordability and versatility. Prices for laminate flooring typically range from $1 to $5 per square foot, making it one of the most affordable options on the market.

Besides being easy on the wallet, laminate flooring snaps together in a breeze and asks for little fuss to keep it looking sharp, making it a solid pick for homes always buzzing with activity. It’s resistant to scratches, dents, and stains, and can be easily cleaned with a damp mop or cloth.

When shopping for laminate flooring, look for products with a thick wear layer and a high AC rating, which indicates the flooring’s durability and resistance to wear and tear. You may also want to consider products with a pre-attached underlayment, which can help reduce noise and improve comfort underfoot

Home Flooring FAQs:

Conclusion

All said and done; when it comes down to giving your place a fresh new look or just sprucing up an old charm—home flooring holds all the cards. So go ahead—make those choices that let every footstep on your new floor whisper back ‘welcome home’! Book a pro in your area HERE.