Carpet

(see our Carpet Buying Guide)

What is it?

Carpet is a heavy fabric, usually made of nylon or wool, used to cover floors.

Used for?

Carpet is an excellent overall floor covering. It seems equally appropriate in a living room, bedroom, hallway, and stairway. It is comfortable under foot, and makes cold floors warmer. It also absorbs sound, and is an excellent choice for the upper rooms of a two story house.

Relative Popularity

Carpet is the most popular type of flooring.

Most Popular Brands

Mohawk, Dalton, Empire

Negatives

Carpet is prone to staining, and some stains may be permanent. Carpet tends to attract dust, pollen, and other allergens, and people with severe allergies or asthma may want to use other types of flooring. If carpet becomes soaked with fluids, they may mildew. 

Laminate

What is it?

Laminate flooring is a versatile, synthetic flooring usually manufactured to look like natural flooring like wood or stone. Synthetic materials (usually melamine resin) are covered with a decorative appliqué, which is finished with aluminum oxide. Comes in 14” or 25” squares, it is easy to install, and it is very durable. It is easy to clean and maintain. Laminate flooring is among the least expensive types of flooring. 

Used for?

Laminate flooring can be used in high trafficked areas like hallways and recreation rooms. Spills wipe up easily, so it can be used in kitchens. The range of designs available makes it an attractive selection for living rooms.  

Relative Popularity

Laminate flooring is the second most popular type of flooring. Its popularity has grown significantly over recent years.

Most Popular Brands

Armstrong, Shaw, Harmonics

Negatives

Careful inspection (particularly of seams or imperfection patterns) can reveal a floor to be made of laminate, rather than the natural material it resembles. It is probably not a good choice for high-end homes, particularly the rooms used for entertaining. Although spills on laminate flooring clean up easily, water can get in between the seams. Consequently, laminate flooring is not ideal for bathrooms.

Hardwood Flooring

(see our Hardwood Flooring Buying Guide)

What is it? 

Hardwood flooring is solid hardwood cut into planks and installed side-by-side. The planks come from any number of types of trees, including white oak, red oak, cherry, maple, white ash, pecan and hickory. Hardwood floors are elegant, and add warmth and character to a home. Solid hardwood floors are durable and can be refinished multiple times. Hardwood floors are flexible, and can be used bare or in conjunction with area rugs. Materials in hardwood flooring have expanded to include engineered hardwood and long strip hardwood, which are less expensive and relatively easy to install.  

Used for?

Hardwood floors add warmth and character to a home. They are often used for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. They are also found in hallways, kitchens, and (to a lesser degree) bathrooms. 

Relative Popularity

Hardwood floors are the third most popular type of flooring, reflecting their enduring popularity.

Most Popular Brands

Bruce, Mirage, Shaw 

Negatives

Hardwood floors can be damaged by fluids if they are not wiped up quickly. Hardwood floors can also be damaged by falling objects. Even high heels can leave permanent indentations on some types of hardwood floors. Hardwood floors can be cold under foot, and become visually monotonous in a large room, if not used in conjunction with area rugs. 

Tile

(see our Tile Flooring Buying Guide)

What is it? 

Tile is a floor covering usually made of clay that is shaped into squaure or other shapes, baked, and glazed. Tile can also be made of porcelain, glass, or other materials. 

How used?

Tile is among the most water resistant types of flooring. They are used frequently in kitchens, bathrooms, and mud rooms. They can be coordinated with sink and shower tile in the bathroom, and with counter tiles in the kitchen.

Relative Popularity 

Tile is a popular flooring material, used in selected rooms in many homes. 

Most Popular Brands 

Armstrong, Dal, Mohawk 

Negatives 

Tile can be expensive and labor intensive to install. Tile is a very hard surface, and standing on it for a long time can become tiresome. Not all tiles are suitable for high-trafficked areas. If tiles become damaged, they are not easily replaced. 

Vinyl Flooring

(see our Vinyl Flooring Buying Guide)

What is it? 

Vinyl flooring is made of vinyl, or poly vinyl chloride (PVC), the same material that is used to make everything from medical tubing to cable insulation.

How used?

Vinyl is resistant to breakdown and wear, but is flexible. This makes vinyl a durable flooring material that is easy to install.  Vinyl flooring is suitable for almost any room in the house.

Relative Popularity 

Vinyl is a popular flooring material, used on almost all interior rooms in the house. 

Most Popular Brands 

Armstrong, Mannington, Tarkett, Congoleum

Negatives 

Vinyl flooring does not have the elegance of hardwood, tile, or a high quality carpet, so you don't usually see vinyl in living rooms. It does not have the comfort of carpet or hardwood combined with area rugs, so you also don't tend to see vinyl flooring in bedrooms. However, vinyl is a real performer in the rooms where it often appears: kitchens, bathrooms, rec rooms, and entry ways.

Rubber Flooring

What is it? 

Rubber flooring is a rubber layer that is installed over concrete or sub flooring. It is now produced in many colors.

How used?

Rubber flooring is resilient, durable, and easy to clean. It has excellent slip resistance, sound absorption, and is resistant to the impact of heavy loads. Its use was initially commercial, but it has become popular in residential garages and recreation rooms. It is gaining popularity as a flooring material in bathrooms and kitchens.

Relative Popularity

Rubber flooring is moderately popular, and is gaining popularity for specific residential applications.

Negatives

Rubber flooring does not have the look and feel commonly associated with living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.