Flooring is a big-ticket home improvement that often leaves shoppers feeling overwhelmed. But there are plenty of flooring options to choose from.
CR’s Best Flooring Guide covers the most popular types of floors, their maintenance needs and how well they hold up to stains, dents and scratches. Keep in mind that if you opt for wood, look for eco-friendly options that come from forests managed according to sustainable practices.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors add warmth and a classic look to any home. With a variety of wood species, stain colors and grain patterns, homeowners can create a unique style that fits their personal taste. Unlike synthetic flooring materials, hardwood can be refinished to remove scratches and dents. It is a good choice for high-traffic areas and can be used in many different rooms of the house. The biggest consideration for those considering this flooring material is whether they are willing to let their hardwoods show some wear over time. The natural material will pick up slight shadings of color and dents, which add character to the floor over time.
Solid hardwood, which is a single solid plank of wood, typically requires a longer acclimation period than engineered hardwood. Both options are available in a wide range of wood species, but solid hardwoods tend to be more expensive.
Engineered hardwood is made up of layers of natural wood glued together and has superior moisture resistance compared to solid hardwood. It is also less likely to shift or expand when exposed to environmental changes in humidity and temperature. Engineered hardwood can be installed over a subfloor and is an excellent option for above-ground spaces, such as living rooms, dining areas and kitchens.
Some species, such as hickory and birch, have closed grains that are more resistant to damage than others, such as maple and oak, with open grains. Hickory is especially tough and can hold up well to heavy traffic, pets and kids. Birch is also a sturdy wood, but it can dent more easily.
There are dozens of domestic and imported hardwoods to choose from, and each species has its own characteristics. For example, some species have greater color variations between individual planks than others. This gives each hardwood flooring installation its own unique style, while also giving the room a more textured look. Others, such as cherry and walnut, have a warm tone and can lean red or orange when stained. They are a good choice for lower-traffic rooms or as an accent color.
Laminate
Laminate is an affordable wood-look flooring that’s been around for decades. Its popularity is largely due to its resemblance to real wood, but it’s also known for being extremely durable. It can withstand heavy foot traffic and stains better than many other types of flooring, so it’s great for homes with kids and pets.
It’s also available in a variety of textures, which can add to its appearance. For instance, you can get it smooth or satin, hand-scraped, brushed, or oiled wood textured. The different texture options can affect its overall look, and they may also impact how well the floor holds up against moisture, dust, dirt, and grime.
Typically made from dense fiberboard with an image layer on top, laminate has a solid core that provides stability and a moisture barrier to keep it from warping or expanding. The image layer has an incredibly detailed photograph of the desired floor style and is protected by a clear wear layer that makes it resistant to stains, moisture, scratches, chips, and UV rays.
The best quality laminate floors are water-resistant and GreenGuard certified, and they offer an excellent value for the money. When shopping for a laminate floor, it’s important to keep in mind that the base layer must be at least 7mm thick in order to avoid warping or bubbling.
You can choose from a wide selection of colors and grain patterns for your laminate flooring, making it easy to match it to your home’s existing color palette or theme. It’s also available in a range of sizes and styles, including mixed-width planks and herringbone and chevron parquet patterns.
A laminate floor can complement almost any home décor, but it’s a particularly good choice for homes with modern architectural designs. These design styles often focus on functionality and clean lines, which can be complemented by the durability and ease of maintenance offered by laminate flooring.
Some DIYers can install their own laminate flooring, but it’s a task that’s best left to professionals with experience. It’s a lot of physical work and requires some technical know-how to complete successfully.
Tile
Tile can add a pop of color and texture to any room, and it comes in virtually limitless patterns, colors and styles. It’s a good choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms and also for rooms that might get wet, such as a laundry room or mudroom. Unlike most engineered wood flooring, which isn’t moisture-proof, tile does a good job of resisting water.
Tile is easy to clean and maintain, and it doesn’t absorb odors the way carpet does. However, it doesn’t warm up well with radiant heat (though you can use area rugs to help). And, like laminate, tile can be slippery, especially if wet.
Before installing tile, you’ll need to make sure that the floor beneath it is solid and level. If it’s not, you’ll need to level the surface with a patching compound or cement board before proceeding. Next, you’ll need to apply a thin layer of adhesive using a grout trowel. After that, it’s time to lay your tiles. Start in the center of your room and work outwards, using spacers to ensure that each row is evenly spaced. Generally, you’ll want to lay the tiles in a grid pattern; it may help to draw out a simple grid on the floor and use a level to verify that the rows are straight.
You can purchase pre-cut tiles, but it’s easier to cut them to size on site. Just be sure to wear protective eyewear and use a tile saw to avoid getting cut.
Tile can be very heavy and requires a stiff, strong floor framing to prevent cracking. It’s also not as comfortable to walk on as laminate, and some tiles are abrasive on the feet. But, if you choose ceramic, porcelain or stone tile in a light color and install it in a herringbone or offset pattern, it can be a great option for a stylish, modern home. It’s also available in a variety of shapes, including hexagons and diamonds, so it can be used to create a sophisticated geometric pattern or simply to add a touch of texture to your decor.
Carpet
Carpet is a classic flooring choice for bedrooms and living rooms. It’s soft underfoot, warm in winter and good for sound absorption. It’s also relatively easy to clean and stain-resistant, thanks to new technology that helps the material stand up better to dirt and soil.
It comes in a variety of colors, styles and textures, as well as thicknesses and fibers. The most common form of carpet is “broadloom,” which comes in rolls that professionals install over a pad. It’s available in a wide range of patterns and can be custom-cut for room sizes. Another option is carpet tile, which has pre-cut sections that snap together like puzzle pieces without padding or adhesives.
Aside from thickness, the main differences between carpet types are their fiber, face weight and twist (if applicable). When shopping for a high-quality carpet, you’ll want to look for a face weight of 40 or more ounces. A higher face weight means the carpet is thicker and more durable. A good twist counts for durability, too; you’ll want to choose a carpet with 5 twists or higher.
There are a lot of choices when it comes to carpet fiber, too, including nylon, polyester and polypropylene/Olefin. Some carpets are made with synthetics, while others use natural materials such as wool or jute. The type of fiber you choose affects how the carpet feels, looks and reacts to wear and tear, stains and moisture. It also impacts price and environmental impact. For example, natural jute is an excellent choice for a low-traffic area because of its resistance to moisture. It’s also eco-friendly. However, it can be expensive compared to synthetic fibers.
