Flooring Comparisons Before You Buy
If your in the market to update the flooring in your home but feel lost in choices available that work best for your house, you are in luck. We have put together a list to help narrow down your selections.
Bamboo Flooring
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly – one of the fastest, most renewable products on the market
- Strong and durable
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons:
- Can darken or fade in direct sunlight
- Can warp if left wet for extended periods of time
Carpet
Pros:
- Soft, quiet and warm under foot
- Most cost effective flooring choice on the market
- Easy to replace and upgrade
- Brings color and texture into your room décor
Cons:
- Can stain easily
- Low quality carpets will show wear quickly
Ceramic Tile Flooring
Pros:
- Durable
- Water and stain resistant
- Wide choice of colors, textures, patterns and shapes
Cons:
- Grout lines can be hard to clean and can stain easily
- Low quality tiles can chip
- Glossy tiles can be slippery when wet
Cork Flooring
Pros:
- Natural product
- Soft and warm
- Resists mildew
- Easy to clean
- Polyurethane finishes last up to seven years before refinishing is needed
Cons:
- Wax finishes need reapplication every 6 to 12 months
- High moisture situations can cause damage
Engineered Wood Flooring
Pros:
- Maintains its shape more than wood
- Quicker installation time
- Comes prefinished so stain and finish will be consistent and harder
Cons:
- Cannot be refinished
- Offbrands may have weaker cores
- Ends may split in high traffic areas
Laminate Flooring
Pros:
- Durable
- Affordable
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Excellent do it yourself applications
Cons:
- Easily scratched
- Off brands may chip and peel easy
- If installing in a high moisture situation, make sure laminate was designed for water situations
Linoleum Flooring
Pros:
- Made of natural materials
- More durable than vinyl
- Color extends through entire material
Cons:
- Must be resealed annually
- May scuff if not polished
- Susceptible to water damage
Stone Flooring
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- A timeless, classic design
- Natural beauty
Cons:
- One of the highest cost flooring choices on the market
- Some materials can absorb dirt and stains – all stone should be sealed
- Can be difficult to repair
Vinyl Flooring
Pros:
- Durable
- Water resistant in sheet form
- Easy to clean
- Less expensive than other flooring choices
Cons:
- Difficult to repair
- Offbrands may discolor
- In tile form, moisture can seep between seams
Wood Flooring
Pros:
- Durable, wears well over time
- Long lasting
- Provides a warm look
- Can be refinished
Cons:
- Vulnerable to moisture
- Soft woods can dent easily
- May darken or fade in direct sunlight
- Can shrink or expand in certain conditions