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Guide to Types of Flooring for Your Home

By August 14, 2022January 3rd, 2023Decor, Learn
tiles gif

Guide to Types of
FLOORING
FOR YOUR HOME

Did you know that the largest surface in your home is the floor?

The choice of flooring that you use in your home can make a real statement and can make your interior design style stand out from the crowd.

Do you prefer solid natural hardwood, or an engineered wood floor? Perhaps you like the look and the price tag of laminate, linoleum, or vinyl? Or will you choose a classic ceramic or stone tile, or a hardwearing carpet or carpet tile?

Read our complete article and discover the different types of flooring that you can use in your home. What are the pros and cons of each flooring type that you need to consider?

Solid Natural
Hardwood

Solid natural hardwood offers great quality flooring for your home. But, what is solid natural hardwood made of, how is it installed, and what are the pros and cons of using this flooring type?

What Is It Made of?

If you love the natural look, then a solid natural hardwood floor is a perfect choice. Made completely with solid wood, each plank of solid natural hardwood is between 4 inches and 8 inches wide and offers a ¾-inch thickness.

hardwood

You could choose a smaller strip of solid natural hardwood for an alternative look, however, with strips reaching a width of 1 ½ inches to 2 ½ inches each

Whichever style of solid natural hardwood you opt for, you will receive one of the most popular types of wood flooring available. Choose whether you want your solid natural hardwood to be prefinished or unfinished, with a variety of finishes available.

Installation

employee

When installing solid natural hardwood flooring in your home, make sure you employ a professional! Solid natural hardwood is an expensive medium to use and so you need to ensure it is installed correctly.

You will need a subfloor underneath your solid natural hardwood floor, allowing your new flooring to be glued and nailed to the subfloor securely. Your subfloor will either be a plywood or concrete floor.

subfloor

When using a solid natural hardwood floor, it is recommended to leave the uninstalled flooring planks in the room to acclimatize.

Natural wood grains may expand or shrink according to the temperature and humidity of the room.

You certainly will not want your flooring planks to shrink or expand once it has been installed!

Pros & Cons

pros
  • Durable material that can last over 100 years
  • Increase the property price of your home
  • Refinish the wood many times if desired
  • Versatile material that can adapt to many interior design styles

Many different types of wood:

oak wood icon
warmth character popular
maple wood
lighter natural tough
walnut wood
rich dark luxurious
hickory wood
complex hard detailed
bamboo wood
eco-friendly unique
cork wood
made from bark, individual
consequences
  • Expensive material, especially for larger surfaces
  • High-traffic areas may dent or scratch
  • Moisture damage vulnerability
  • Temperature changes may shrink or expand material
  • A bleached look may be achieved under UV rays
  • Not suitable for basements, bathrooms, or laundry rooms
  • Not a great choice for rooms with heavy activity
  • Needs a professional installation

Best Uses

The best place to install solid natural hardwood flooring is in rooms where light activity is the norm. You should also make sure that the room will not be close to water, such as a bathroom or laundry room.

living room
Oak Flooring

Living room

dinning-room
Hickory flooring

Dinning room

bedroom
Walnut flooring

Bedroom

In addition, it is a good idea to ensure that a solid natural hardwood floor is not installed in a basement due to moisture threats.

The best rooms to install a solid natural hardwood floor are in the living room, dining room, and bedrooms.

You could also use this type of wood flooring in some hallways, although not hallways that are heavily used regularly.

Cost

cost

How much can you expect to pay for this type of flooring for your home. Typically, you will need to pay around $5 – $10 for every square foot, rising to around $15 per square foot for different types of hardwood flooring.

Engineered
Wood

Other types of wood flooring include engineered wood, a choice that is proving to be a popular across many interior design styles. Here is everything you need to know about engineered wood flooring.

What Is It Made of?

Engineered wood is made from two layers of wood. The first layer is a thin sheet of solid wood which acts as a veneer on top, whilst a second layer underneath of made of plywood, or high-density fiberboard.

hardwood sheet

Typically, engineered wood is purchased in planks that are around ⅜ inches to ½ inch thick. Each plank will measure around 12 inches in width, although the exact size of engineered wood planks will vary.

Installation

You could employ a professional to install your engineered wood floor, or you could install the flooring yourself. You will need to either glue or nail the flooring to a subfloor, or you can opt for click-together planks which offer a faster installation.

together plywood planks

Pros & Cons

Pros

Less expensive that solid natural hardwood
You can install the flooring yourself
Hardwood layer at the top
Resists temperature and moisture that can lead to damage
Unlikely to warp when compared with other materials
Choose which method to install

Cons

Cannot refinish the flooring more than once
Fade damage can occur overtime
Prone to scratches
Lots of choices in designs and quality
Hollowsound when walking on the flooring
May emits VOCs

Best Uses

Which rooms in your home will benefit from engineered flooring? Choose this type of wood flooring in your living room and dining room along with bedrooms. Engineered flooring is also tough enough for hallways!

flooring wood

You can install this flooring in your basement due to the moisture resistance that engineered types of wood flooring can offer.

This is a clear benefit over solid natural hardwood choices! Furthermore, you can use engineered wood flooring over concrete bases.

Cost

cost

Slightly cheaper than different types of wood flooring, you can expect to pay between $4 to $9 for a square foot of engineered wood flooring.

Laminate

If you love the look of wood flooring but not the price tag, perhaps a laminate flooring may suit your home? Here is everything you need to know about types of laminate flooring for your home.

What Is It Made of?

The different types of laminate flooring available for your home are typically made up of three or four layers, providing a tough laminate floor.

plywood sheet

The base layer consists of a rigid fiberboard, consisting of high-density materials. This layer is quite similar to a layer used in engineered wood.

An image layer on top of the base layer will project the color and style of the laminate that you have chosen. A wear layer will feature at the top of the laminate, utilizing a transparent plasticate guarding against fading and scratches.

Depending on the laminate flooring that you have chosen, a fourth layer may be incorporated. This layer may be added to include soundproof qualities, or for additional comfort.

Installation

You can usually install a laminate floor yourself as there is no need to attach the planks to a subfloor. A foam underlayer is usually used and then you will simply need to click-together each laminate flooring plank. Some laminate flooring planks will require gluing, however.

install a laminate floor yourself

Pros & Cons

Pros

Inexpensive choice of flooring
Flooring can be cleaned easily
Resistant to scratches
You can install the floor yourself
Great for kids and pets
Wide choice of colors and styles

Cons

Vulnerable to moisture damage
Could chip easily
Usually does not look like wood
Hollow sound when walking on floor
Cold underfoot when walking on floor
Unable to repair or refinish

Best Uses

You can use types of laminate flooring in any room where water is not close by. Therefore, choose laminate for your living room, dining room, bedrooms, hallway, and even the basement. However,

due to the vulnerability of moisture damage, laminate should not be used in bathrooms or kitchens.

wood-laminate
Wood laminate

Living room

plank-laminate
Plank laminate

Dining room

heated-floor
Plank Heated floor

Bedrooms

smooth-laminate
Smooth laminate

Hallway

hardscraped
Hardscraped

Basement

Cost

cost

You should expect to pay between $1 and $10 per square foot when purchasing laminate flooring. A typical average may range between $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, providing a low cost alternative to your home’s flooring solution.

Vinyl - Sheeting

Another inexpensive option to use in your home is vinyl sheet flooring. One of the many types of vinyl flooring available that look great in your home.

What Is It Made of?

Vinyl sheet flooring is made from PVC, a type of plastic that offers a flexible approach to flooring. There are so many different textures, colors, and patterns available that you can find a great vinyl sheet flooring choice to suit any interior design style.

layers of flooring

Installation

Vinyl sheet flooring installation is fast and such a simple process! You can install the vinyl sheet flooring yourself in only a few minutes,

cutting the vinyl sheet to size and then gluing the floor down. Look out for peel-and-stick vinyl flooring sheets for an even more convenient option.

viny-flooring-sheet

Pros & Cons

Pros

Waterproof choice of flooring
Durable flooring that will last years
Resistant to fading
Install the flooring yourself
Easy maintenance
Choose from many styles and colors

Cons

Not eco-friendly
Sub-floor must be smooth
More expensive than laminate or vinyl
Lower ROIs than wood
Emits VOCs

Best Uses

Due to the waterproof qualities offered by vinyl sheet flooring, you can use such types of vinyl flooring in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. It is also a great flooring choice for basements.

bathroom
Water proof

Bathrooms

Laundry Rooms
easy maintenance

Laundry Rooms

Kitchens
Fade resistant

Kitchens

Cost

$1 and $2 per square foot

You can purchase vinyl sheet flooring for as little as $1 to $2 per square foot, offering a very cheap flooring option for your home.

Vinyl - LVP and LVT

When searching for types of home flooring, consider a luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or a luxury vinyl tile (LVT). LVP is manufactured to resemble wood, whereas LVT is made to look like tiles. But, how can LVP or LVT benefit your home?

What Is It Made of?

LVP and LVT are both made from PVC, a type of plastic. There are usually three layers used to create these different types of flooring materials.

The base layer is made from vinyl and can be flexible or rigid, depending on the flooring you have picked. You will next find the design layer on top of the base layer, a layer that is also created from vinyl. This is the layer that will provide the image and the color that you have chosen to match your home’s interior design style.

vnyl LVP & LVT 1

The top layer is the wear layer, offering a transparent layer that protects your floor from wear and tear.

Installation

There are many different types of installation available when installing LVP or LVT flooring. Look out for click-lock planks, or peel-and-stick backing planks. You could also choose flooring planks that need to be glued down, or even laid down loose.

click-lock planks

Pros & Cons

Pros

Inexpensive choice of flooring
Waterproof so can be used near water
Resistant to fading
Wide choice of colors and styles
Install the flooring yourself
Easy maintenance

Cons

Lower ROIs than wood
Emits VOCs
Not eco-friendly
Difficult to remove when glued
Sub-floor must be smooth
Other VLT/VLP choices are more DIY friendly
Other VLT/VLP choices are more DIY friendly

Best Uses

You can use LVP or LVT flooring in any room in your home, possessing waterproof qualities that make this flooring a great option for kitchens and bathrooms.

bathroom
Water proof

Bathrooms

Kitchen
Fade resistant

Kitchens

Cost

cost-$1-to-$5-per-square-foot

Offering a mid-price flooring option, LVP and LVT can be purchased at around $1 to $5 per square foot.

Linoleum

Do you love the look and price tag of vinyl sheet flooring but wish you had a more environmentally-friendly option? Linoleum flooring could be the perfect alternative for you! Here are the pros, cons, and uses of this versatile flooring choice!

What Is It Made of?

Linoleum is made from a variety of fillers and binders, such as pine rosin, cork dust, and solidified linseed oil. These materials are a great change from the PVC material used in vinyl.

pine-rosin

Pine Rosin

cork-dust

Cork dust

solidified-linseed-oil

Solidified linseed oil

Installation

Linoleum flooring is installed by gluing a sheet of material directly to the floor. You can install linoleum yourself, just make sure that you cut the linoleum sheet correctly!

glue-a-sheet

Pros & Cons

Pros

An inexpensive choice in flooring
Eco-friendly alternative
Install the flooring yourself
Choose from many styles and colors
Easy maintenance

Cons

Your property price will not rise
Easily damaged
Sunlight damage may occur
Not great for rooms close to water

Best Uses

Linoleum is a great choice of flooring that can be adapted to any interior design style in any room in your home. However, it is best to avoid using linoleum in bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry rooms due to the possibility of moisture damage.

bathrooms
Water proof

Bathrooms

laundry-rooms
easy maintenance

Laundry Rooms

kitchen
easy maintenance

Kitchens

Cost

cost of $1-to-$5-per square foot

You can typically purchase linoleum for your home for as little as $1 to $5 per square foot of material.

Porcelain or Ceramic
Tile Flooring

Do you love a traditional porcelain or ceramic floor? Here is everything you need to know about the installation, the pros and cons, costs and uses of these types of flooring materials.

What Is It Made of?

Ceramic tile flooring is made of baked clay and can offer you a natural, luxurious feel and look. Great types of tile flooring include Saltillo, offering gorgeous flooring for your home.

porcelain tile flooring uses a more refined clay and is baked at a higher temperature than ceramic floor tile. Porcelain is more expensive but is less prone to cracking and is less water absorbent.

Glazed tile, Non Glazed Tile, Ceramic tile, Porcelain Tile

If you decide to use one of these types of flooring materials for your home, you will also need to decide whether you want the tiles to be glazed or unglazed. An unglazed ceramic or porcelain tile will be rougher to touch but they are also slip-resistant and can create a rustic look.

A glazed ceramic or porcelain tile looks beautiful but can mean that you could slip on the tile when wet much more easily. Cracks and chips will be more noticeable, although a glazed tile will repel water and stains much more.

Installation

professional employee

Installing tile flooring is a skilled task and is usually better to employ a professional. You could try it yourself, although it may require a great deal of time and effort.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Choose from many styles and colors
Durable and hard wearing
Offers a timeless look
Waterproof and non-porous
Perfect choice for hallways, kitchens and bathrooms

Cons

More expensive than other types of flooring for home
Difficult installation
Heavy use can result in chips

Best Uses

You can use ceramic or porcelain tiles in any room. They are a durable and waterproof choice of flooring that will look great in your home.

However, it generally recommended not to use glazed tiles in a bathroom due to the slipping risk.

You should also never use porcelain in a hallway due to heavy usage and its susceptibility to chipping.

Cost

$83-per-squarefeet

Ceramic and porcelain flooring is expensive and can cost between $13.50 per square feet and $83 per square feet.

Stone Tile

Stone flooring tiles are another great option when considering types of home flooring. But, what do you need to think about before opting for stone flooring tiles?

What Is It Made of?

Stone flooring tiles can be made of many different types of material, typically marble, granite, or sandstone

marble

Marble

granite

Granite

sandstone

Sandstone

Installation

Stone tile flooring is a difficult material to work with and should be installed into your home by a professional.

stone-tile-flooring

Pros & Cons

Pros

Bold and elegant choice of material
Durable and hard-wearing
Insulate the flooring to add warmth
Waterproof and non-porous
Many different styles and choices
Perfect choice for radiant heating
Eco-friendly choice
Great option for homes with kids/pets

Cons

More expensive than other types of flooring for home
Difficult installation
Easily scratches or chips
Some stone materials are porous
Repairs are expensive
Cold to touch unless insulated

Best Uses

Stone flooring tiles can be used in any room, including kitchens and bathrooms. It is recommended that this type of flooring is insulated, however, to prevent your home from feeling colder.

Carpet Tile

Have you ever thought of installing carpet tiles in your home? Here is everything you need to know about this great material!

What Is It Made of?

Carpet tiles are alternative, different types of flooring material to consider. They are made from carpet which can be made from a variety of textures and materials. Carpet tiles come in square pieces, between 16 inches and 24 inches in width. You may need to glue down the tiles, although you can get self-adhesive backings.

Wool is a naturally moisture-resistant material that is durable and hard-wearing, although may be an expensive option!

You could opt for nylon or acrylic, synthetic choices of carpet tile that are equally hard-wearing although much cheaper alternatives.

carpet tile for moistures

Further carpet tile material choices include polyester, which is perfect for brighter color designs, or polypropylene, which is resistant to moisture and mildew.

Installation

You should be able to fit carpet tiles yourself, and you can even mix and match packs of carpet tiles to create a unique look. Simply glue down each tile, or choose tiles with self-adhesive backing.

Carpet Tiles

Pros & Cons

Pros

Reusable material
Easy to install
Versatile and customizable
Cost-effective flooring solution
Many different choices and options
Warm and soft to touch
Visually warms the room
Good soundproofing option
Stain-resistant

Cons

Difficult to maintain
May need professional cleaning
Easily absorbs smells
Not a great choice for homes with pets
Never use in bathrooms or kitchens
Shows wear and tear
Not a good choice for allergy sufferers

Best Uses

Which rooms in your home would look great with carpet tiles? You can use carpet tiles for any room that is not close to water, so feel free to use carpet tiles in bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. You can also create an amazing home theater room using carpet tiles.

carpet tile in bedroom
Visually warms

Bedrooms

carpet tile in office
Versatile

Offices

carpet tile in living room
Stain-resistant

Living room

Cost

$3-to-$5-persquarefoot

Offering a mid-price range, carpet tiles will cost from $3 to $5 per square foot.

Broadloom (Wall-
to Wall) Carpet

Do you feel comfort and warmth in a room with wall-to-wall carpet? How can this flooring choice add benefits to your home?

What Is It Made of?

Broadloom wall-to-wall carpet is made from a wide range of materials, just like carpet tiles. You can choose wool, acrylic, nylon, polyester, or polypropylene to create a warm and inviting room in your home.

How Is It Constructed?

Carpets may be constructed in a cut pile, a loop pile, or a cut-and-loop pile method. A cut pile carpet will stand straight up from its backing, whereas a loop pile will loop back on itself. To achieve a compromise, a cut-and-loop pile combines both methods and is used mainly for patterned carpets.

cut-pile

Cut pile

loop pile

Loop pile

cut-and-loop-pile

Cut and loop pile

Installation

Unlike carpet tiles, you will need a professional to install your broadloom carpet flooring. A wide variety of tools and equipment are needed and cannot be done yourself.

carpet-roller

Carpet Seam Roller

carpet-knife

Carpet Knife

knee-kicker

Knee Kicker

broadloom
carpet-iron

Carpet Iron

power-stecher

Power Stretcher

staple-hammer

Staple Hammer

Pros & Cons

Pros

Choose from many styles, colors, and thickness
Soft and warm to touch
Creates a warm and inviting space
Good for soundproofing
Stain-resistant varieties available,

Cons

Difficult to maintain and clean
Difficult installation as you will need a professional
Absorbs smells
Shows wear patterns
Not great for allergy sufferers
Not great for bathrooms and kitchens

Best Uses

Carpet is perfect for a home theater room in your home. Create a warm and friendly room that you can truly relax in when watching your favorite movie.

warm-room

Cost

$4-to-$20-persquarefoot

A more expensive option for flooring, carpet will cost from $4 to $20 per square foot.

What Kind of
Flooring Is Best for Home Theaters?

What do you need from your home theater flooring? You need a comfortable flooring choice that is soft and creates a warm and cozy room. You want the perfect aesthetics to make your home theater room look great and suit the interior design features that you are aiming for.

You will also need a durable flooring material, especially if you are creating your home theater room in your basement. Ensure that your flooring will allow you to easily clean any spills or messes. Maintenance is important to keep your floor and home theater room looking great!

gaming screen

So, which different types of flooring material would be great for your home theater room?

Other Types of
Flooring

Which other types of flooring for homes are available for you to consider?

Concrete Flooring

A new trend to think about is using concrete as a flooring option, adding a stain, a dye, or a polish to create something truly unique.

coridoor

Cork Flooring

opt for cork flooring to provide a resilient and natural floor, made from renewable materials. Cork is low in VOCs, is fire-resistant, blocks sounds, and is great for quiet areas.

dining table

At $5 to $15 per square foot, it offers a mid-priced range, although is prone to indentation.

Rubber Flooring

Rubber is a resilient material and can create a vibrant, fun room. This is a great choice for playrooms and gyms, as well as wet rooms, and modern living spaces. Stain your rubber floor with oils and fats, achieving an easy-to-clean surface.

gym machine

Rubber is a non-slip surface and can be purchased for $4 to $12 per square foot.

Terrazzo Tile!

opt for a terrazzo tile! This composite is created using natural stone chips and resin and can create a natural design.

terrazzo-tile

Perfect for indoor and outdoor use, you can purchase terrazzo tile for $25 to $40 per square foot.

Conclusion

What different types of flooring tiles are you searching for? The different types of tile flooring available can help you to create a fantastic room in any home. Carpets are perfect types of flooring for bedrooms and theater room flooring, creating a comfortable and cozy atmosphere to relax.

Carpet tiles and rug options are great alternatives to the traditional wall-to-wall carpet, so complete a home theater room decor using accessories from TheaterSeatStore today! You will find the best flooring for home theater as well as types of flooring for house and apartments of all varieties!

theater room

Different types of kitchen flooring and types of bathroom flooring must be waterproof as well as non-slip.

These types of flooring for kitchen spaces are also perfect types of flooring for basement rooms, offering moisture-resistant materials.

Whichever flooring materials you need, create a perfect home theater room today with carpets and rugs from TheaterSeatStore, as well as fantastic home theater sofas!

carpet-desgins