What Type of Flooring to Choose for your Home Floors?

Choosing the right flooring is really an important decision because it can be a big investment one that you'll live with for many years and it's the foundation of your lifestyle and taste - so it does not only have to work with your style but also functional for your needs as a homeowner who looks for a type of flooring that's not only aesthetically beautiful, not too trendy but also durable - and of course affordable.

When it comes to choosing new floors, there are lots of options to consider so we’ll walk you through the best decision-making process on each type and hopes that it'll help you decide what will work best for your home flooring requirement.

Tip: The major decision before choosing your floors is to always see it in person first since it could look really different in photos online.

Nothing beats the look of Hardwood

Hardwood Floors is has a classic and inviting aura that can warm up any space and it'll go with any decorating style but there are some few drawbacks.

In humid areas, real hardwoods are not a viable option since they buckle and warp in the humidity which is advised to avoid them altogether.

In drier climates, they're great but they can also be really pricey and usually require some steep maintenance – so we will try for hardwood flooring alternatives that give real wood a run for its money.

Engineered Wood: Closest alternative to real wood

Engineered Wood is a thin layer of real wood on top of a composite and they look really beautiful once installed properly.

You can find the cheaper stuff for under $2 a square foot although there is a lot of the better-engineered wood that is in the $5 to $10 per square foot range which makes it a great option for many homeowners who want a higher quality flooring with a wider range of styles and price points.

The downside of having to install engineered wood floors is that they still can't be exposed to a lot of moisture so they're not ideal for every room.

Try Tile Flooring for Bathrooms

In other warmer climates, one of the most popular choices is tile. It is one of the sought after materials to work with since there is an unlimited number of styles colors and patterns you can get creative with. Tile Flooring is always a top choice for bathrooms though it isn’t advisable to use it throughout your entire home.

Tile materials and labor involved for the floor installation can make the total price goes way up even if you use a budget-friendly tile.

Tile flooring also has a more specific look and won't necessarily transition well if you change your style or even color palette over time and can sometimes look and feel cold or don't bring warmth to a room like wood can. Tiles are also a more permanent choice and removing it can be a pain.

A tile floor usually requires more maintenance like having to clean or repaint your grout. You may also need to worry about cracks and chipping.

Luxury Vinyl Floors

Another flooring option that's becoming popular especially with homeowners and builders is luxury vinyl flooring.

Luxury vinyl tile for floors is usually thin strips of vinyl that glue or stick down which can mimic the look of both wood and stone on a much cheaper option.

You can find a less than $1 per square foot Luxury vinyl though must careful and must choose the right brand since counterfeits make them look and feel cheap when installed.

Vinyl flooring technology has made a lot of progress in the last several years and you can see the improvement of difference in quality. The question is does the minimal cost savings is worth it?

(Optional Add-On) Carpet for Flooring

Carpet can be the most economical initial investment for your home floors but it's too easy to stain or easily damage.

Professional deep cleaning for carpets is also expensive and you'll have to replace it sooner or later.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate for floors is made of a composite wood with real wood printed on top.

The biggest selling points for laminate type flooring are their affordable prices, durability, and variety of styles being offered.

Laminate flooring in the market had added a lot more colors recently which means you can be more creative in your home flooring design.

You can also get an extra-wide plank which is pretty rare and really expensive with real wood. With an aluminum oxide top coating, laminate flooring holds up to scratches, dents, fading, and stains.