The best type of flooring material for your home depends on many various factors. Some of which include: your budget, the style of your home, the durability that you desire, the room you need the flooring in, and so much more. All of these factors can help you determine what type of flooring is best in your case. Today we will show you which type of floor is perfect in various situations to help you decide what would work best in your case.
Laminate Flooring is ideal for those looking for…
- Something less expensive
- Flooring for a room with no moisture or water presence
- Home with no pets
- Flooring for a starter home or a lower end home
- Large color and style selection
Laminate flooring is one of the most inexpensive flooring materials and is most often the greatest bang for the buck. Definitely not a material that we recommend using in a kitchen or bathroom but one that is ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways. It is a durable material that will last 10-20 years in a home with moderate traffic. However in homes with pets and young kids laminate may not fair well for a very long time and may not be the best solution.
Cost of laminate floors with installation included ranges from $3.00/sqft to $5.00/sqft
LVT Flooring is ideal for those looking for…
- Flooring at a mid range price
- Easy do it yourself installation
- Very durable and long lasting material
- Need for Waterproof flooring
- Flooring for a low to mid range home
- Large color and style selection
LVT flooring is the most universal flooring option. More expensive than laminate flooring but also a lot more durable. LVT can be used in practically any room making it an ideal option for those looking to keep things simple. However LVT isn’t necessarily the most luxurious option and isn’t recommended for higher end homes where hardwood or tile would be more fitting.
Cost of LVT floors with installation included ranges from $4.50/sqft to $7.00/sqft
Tile flooring is ideal for those looking for…
- An elegant higher end option
- A very durable material
- Waterproof material
Tile floors will last for as long as you need it. Ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tile is a high end flooring material that has been used in luxury homes for centuries. However it is important to note that tile is a cold material and unless you plan on insulating and placing radiant heating underneath it might not be a very comfortable material for the cold winter months. Due to the difficulty of installing tile flooring this isn’t an option for someone that wants to DIY the project. You will have to hire out to get the work done and tile installation costs a lot more to install than any other material.
However even though tiling the whole house isn’t the best idea (financial speaking)… areas such as the bathroom or kitchen are definitely a great place to consider tile for. You will never have to worry about water damage and a simple mop will keep the tile clean and shiny.
Cost of Tile flooring with installation included ranges from $8.00/sqft to $14.00/sqft.
Carpet flooring is ideal for those looking for…
- Unmatched comfort (carpet is cozy)
- A material that fits any budget
- Flooring that doesn’t get a ton of traffic
Many have dismissed carpet as a great flooring option after the horror stories of cheap, dirty, and disgusting carpet they may have experienced in the past. However that isn’t necessarily true. Carpet is a great solution for almost any homeowner. Carpet fibers capture dust mites and allergens better than any other flooring option. As long as you vacuum on a regular basis these dust mites and allergens will never be released into the air actually improving your air quality over other flooring options.
With the advancement in stain proofing many carpet options are now stain resistant and will fair well with spills and messes. Carpet isn’t a great flooring solution for all over the house but for bedrooms it’s ideal.
Cost of Carpet flooring with installation ranges from $3.00/sqft-$7.00/sqft
There isn’t an ideal flooring type… each one has it’s pros and cons in various scenarios.
The general consensus/recommendation is this…
Hardwood & Laminate works best in living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and occasionally bedrooms.
LVT can work as a material in practically any room (including bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms).
Tile can also be used in any room but is probably not a good idea because of how expensive it is and cold. Which is why we recommend only using it in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Carpet is a comfort material and should only be used in bedrooms and occasionally living rooms (generally rooms with less wear).