11 Types of Flooring to Consider for Your Home

Your flooring is kind of important—it literally lays the foundation for everything that happens in your home. With so many types of flooring to choose from, making a decision can literally feel like you’re walking the plank (be it affordable vinyl plank or genuine hardwood). That said, finding the perfect fit is a matter of weighing the pros and cons. Let’s dive in.

1. Hardwood Flooring

If you want durable flooring that will never go out of style, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than hardwood. Not only does it add warmth and character to any space, but this high-end flooring material also adds value to your home.

Hardwood flooring is susceptible to denting, so higher hardness ratings will indicate what to use in very active rooms. Oak, maple, and hickory tend to be on the hardest end of the spectrum. Walnut is a bit softer but has a coveted aesthetic. Keep in mind that hardwood scratches easily, but a good buffing will take care of most minor marks. 

Pros of Hardwood Flooring

• Beautiful and timeless style

• Many different varieties to choose from

• Excellent ROI

• Resurfacing every 3–5 years can keep it looking good as new

Cons of Hardwood Flooring

• More expensive than other flooring varieties

• Softer woods like pine or maple can get damaged easily

• Susceptible to water/moisture damage

• Can stain and absorb odors quickly

• May develop dents, scrapes, and scratches over time

Cost

Hardwood floors cost between $6 and $12 per square foot for materials and professional installation. Rare types of hardwood floors can reach up to $25 per square foot. Later down the line, expect to spend an average of $1,900 on the cost to refinish hardwood floors, staving off the need for a potential replacement if your flooring is seriously worse for the wear. 

Installation Tips

While you can extend hardwood floors to all rooms and hallways of your home, they hold up best in communal spaces like living rooms and dining rooms. Installing hardwood flooring yourself is not for the new DIYer and is best when performed by an experienced pro.

2. Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered hardwood has a veneer of real hardwood as its top layer, so it’s nearly indistinguishable from hardwood flooring. Beneath that veneer are several core layers of high-density fiberboard, plywood, or hardwood. These inner layers provide more stability than solid hardwood floors, while the veneer gives it the same natural beauty.

Pros of Engineered Hardwood

• Imitates the same timeless look of real wood

• Far less susceptible to moisture and humidity than hardwood

• Multiple layers block moisture and provide extra stability

• Usually less expensive than hardwood (though not by much)

• Will not warp or bulge with proper installation

• More environmentally friendly than traditional hardwood

Cons of Engineered Hardwood

• Just as susceptible to scratches and dents as real hardwood

• Refinishing is possible, but only once or twice before the veneer gets too thin

• Not moisture-proof and can grow mold or mildew when flooded with water

• More expensive than carpeting, tile, and laminate

Cost

The cost for engineered wood flooring has a wide range from $2.50 to $10.00 per square foot, depending on its quality. However, some click-in styles are easier to install than hardwood, so you may be able to cut out the price of labor.

Installation Tips

Yet again, this type of wood flooring does best in communal areas like living rooms, hallways, and dining rooms. While it's a stronger choice for kitchens and bathrooms, it can still warp over time. Engineered wood is also a top choice for floating floors—floors that sit right on top of the subflooring—making this a contender for DIY installation.

3. Tile Flooring 

There are different types of tile you can use for flooring, but ceramic and porcelain tend to be the most popular. These flooring materials are allergy-resistant, water-resistant, and easy to clean, making them an ideal choice for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and utility rooms. High-quality tiles can hold up to heavy foot traffic, but there’s also a range of cost-effective options for smaller budgets.

Along with the benefits, there are some downsides to porcelain or ceramic tile flooring. The installation process is quite laborious since contractors will have to lay tiles individually. Grout can also be difficult to maintain, and tiles can shatter on impact. Luckily, you can replace individual tiles along with the grout.

Pros of Tile Flooring

• Tons of beautiful options

• Nonporous and waterproof

• Easy to clean

• Great for use with radiant heating

Cons of Tile Flooring

• Can get expensive (comparable to hardwood flooring)

• Chips and cracks easily

• May be difficult to install

Cost

The cost to install tile flooring is typically between $15 and $20 per square foot, but there is a vast range of prices for porcelain and ceramic tiles. You'll find tiles for as little as $0.50 per square foot and all the way up to $40. You can, however, save money by installing the tiles yourself.

Installation Tips

The beauty of ceramic and porcelain tiles works best in the prep rooms of our homes such as the kitchens, bathroom, foyer, and hallways. For this reason, you'll rarely find them in living rooms and bedrooms, but it's unheard of in modern homes.

Natural stone floors may be an investment, but it can increase the value of your home and last as long as hardwood flooring. While you'll often find it in foyers, porches, kitchens, and bathrooms, blend the outdoors with the interior by including it throughout your home.

4. Laminate Flooring

Laminate is often used as an alternative to hardwood, favored for its affordability, durability, and realistic look. The higher the quality, the more realistic the printed design layer, which often mimics natural wood or stone. This flooring material is made from four different layers: 

• A back layer that protects the plank and balances the floor

• A core layer made of a high-density wood chip composite

• A design layer made from decorative paper

• A wear layer consisting of a clear coating that protects the surface

Despite the benefits, laminate flooring is vulnerable to water damage and difficult to repair. Since it’s relatively easy to install, homeowners typically just replace the damaged planks.

Pros of Laminate Flooring

• Many stylish options to choose from

• More budget-friendly than wood or tile

• Doesn’t expand or contract like hardwood

• Resists stains and scratches better than wood

• Won’t fade in the sunlight

• Easy to install

Cons of Laminate Flooring

• Susceptible to water damage

• Planks can develop gaps if temperatures become too low

• Can be slippery

• Difficult to repair

Cost

You'll pay between $1.30 and $6.00 per square foot for the cost of laminate flooring including labor and materials. However, materials alone cost just $0.70 to $2.00 if you opt to install it yourself.

Installation Tips

Like hardwood floors, you can extend laminate flooring all the way from the foyer to the bedroom. However, it doesn't do as well in water-prone bathrooms and kitchens.

5. Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is actually one of the best types of flooring for dogs. This option—which comes in sheets, tiles, or planks—is affordable, comfortable on the feet, easy to install and easy to clean. The main benefit beyond price is that it’s nearly 100% waterproof since it’s primarily made from PVC (along with other compounds). 

Overall, vinyl is one of the best flooring materials for households on a budget, and it performs particularly well in rooms exposed to moisture, like bathrooms or kitchens. Though it’s prone to wear and tear over time, you can purchase more durable varieties. Sheet vinyl tends to be the least durable, while LVP (luxury vinyl planks) and LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) are thicker and more durable.

Pros of Vinyl Flooring

• Affordable

• Versatile

• Waterproof

• Long-lasting

• Resists scratching

• Many beautiful styles to choose from

• Low-maintenance

• Easy to install

Cons of Vinyl Flooring

• Not damage-proof (e.g. furniture gouges, deep scratches, etc.)

• Doesn’t deliver the same ROI as wood

• Can get discolored in the sunlight

• Can wear over time

• Often isn’t recyclable

Cost

You can expect to pay $3 to $7 per square foot to install a vinyl floor. The final cost depends on the size of your space and whether you choose sheet vinyl (which typically costs $3 per square foot) or vinyl tiles (which can cost up to $7 per square foot).

Installation Tips

If you’re an experienced DIYer, you can save on labor fees by install a vinyl floor yourself. 

6. Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum often gets mixed up with vinyl, but there are slight differences. You can recycle linoleum, and it’s more environmentally friendly because it’s made from natural materials like linseed oil, pine rosin, and jute. As a result, it’s not waterproof and does require sealing. 

If you plan to install linoleum floors, you can choose from sheets (which you’ll typically glue down) or tiles (which usually lock together). This material can be difficult to install, so you may want to hire a flooring company near you to take on the job.

Pros of Linoleum Flooring

• Affordable

• Resists fading

• Made of recyclable materials

• Excellent heat resistance

• Long-lasting

Cons of Linoleum Flooring

• Fewer styles to choose from

• Not waterproof

• Needs regular sealing to resist moisture

• Can get gouged or scratched easily

• May get ruined by flooding

Cost

Like vinyl, linoleum typically costs $3 to $7 per square foot including installation. Keep in mind that professional installation runs about $36 an hour, so the layout of your room may contribute to the cost.

Installation Tips

The mid-century look of linoleum works best in areas like bathrooms, kitchen, mudrooms, and foyers. However, since some linoleum styles mimic stone and hardwood, it can even extend to the living room and dining room. DIY installation can be complex, so we recommend calling a professional.

7. Carpeting

No other floor is as pleasing for the feet as carpeting, but it gets a bad rap for how difficult it is to clean. Muddy pawprints and spilled drinks can spell disaster, but they don’t have to be a death sentence. Investing in the cost of carpet cleaning on a regular basis can keep it looking fresh. There are numerous other ways to keep your carpet looking new as well.

Pros of Carpeting

• Many affordable options

• Retains warmth

• Soft and comfy to walk on

Cons of Carpeting

• Difficult to clean, especially dust and fur

• Absorbs odors

• Not allergy-friendly

• Luxury styles can get pricey

Cost

Including materials and labor, installing carpet costs between $3.50 and $11.00 per square foot. Prices range depending on whether you opt for a low-cost option like polyester or a higher one such as cotton.

Installation Tips

Homeowners often opt for wall-to-wall carpeting in bedrooms, especially those for kids and teens. Carpeting installation is also not a recommended DIY job, so be sure to find a local carpet installer to get the job done right.

8. Resin Flooring

You may know resin flooring by another name—epoxy floors. Technically, epoxy is a type of two-part resin. Most often, you’ll find this flooring material in garages, basements, and workshops because it’s one of the most durable on the market (particularly if you choose a commercial-grade epoxy). 

Resin does have some nuances. Installation is often messy, and it’s risky to install over wooden subfloors because the epoxy could shatter. If you choose a budget-friendly, water-based resin, you will need to recoat your floor every couple of years.

Pros of Resin Flooring

• Extremely durable

• Customizable

• Heat, crack, and stain resistant

• Easy to clean

• Budget-friendly

Cons of Resin Flooring

• Water-based types are less durable

• May need to recoat every couple years

• Messy installation for DIYers

• Not ideal for homes with wooden subfloors

• Can be slippery

• May require UV coating

Cost 

For most homeowners, epoxy floors cost between $1,600 and $3,300 on average. In general, expect to spend about $3 to $12 per square foot, with additional costs for anti-slip coatings and UV protection.

Installation Tips

It’s best to install this type of flooring over a concrete subfloor since wood subfloors are flexible. Over time, this could cause your epoxy to shatter. You’ll need to roughen up the surface of your concrete (typically via an etching solution) for the epoxy to adhere.

9. Concrete Flooring

Concrete flooring can be so much more than what you imagine in the run-of-the-mill garage. There are a ton of different concrete floor finishes, only some of which have an industrial aesthetic. In truth, a polished concrete floor can have a luxe look akin to marble (at a fraction of the cost). 

Most often, you’ll find concrete floors in garages, basements, or industrial areas, but you can install concrete just about anywhere. This flooring material is so durable that it can survive for decades. That said, concrete floors are heavy. This type of flooring is best for homes with slab foundations or you may need to structurally reinforce your floor before installation. 

Pros of Concrete Flooring

• Highly durable

• Long life span

• Low maintenance 

• Budget-friendly

Cons of Concrete Flooring

• Polished concrete can be slippery

• Falling on concrete can cause injury

• Cold on feet without radiant floor heating

• Porous if not properly sealed

• Prone to cracks

• May require structural reinforcement

Cost 

In general, polished concrete floors typically cost $2 to $16 per square foot, but there are a wide range of potential prices. You can expect to spend as much as $30 per square foot to pour a brand-new concrete slab and even more if you need to reinforce your flooring.

Installation Tips

Concrete is heavy, so it’s important you get a professional to inspect your flooring and determine whether or not you’ll need structural reinforcement. Overall, it’s best to leave this type of flooring to homes with slab foundations.

10. Stone Flooring 

If you’re looking for a classic but durable type of flooring that works in all kinds of spaces, try natural stone. Natural stone flooring is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Most commonly, you’ll find it in bathrooms, kitchens, and patios, though you can really put it anywhere. 

Popular types of natural stone flooring include marble, travertine, limestone, granite, slate, and soapstone. Each has slightly different properties, though stones will have an absorption rating and grade. Less porosity is better for areas exposed to moisture, while lower grades tend to be the highest quality.

Pros of Stone Flooring

• High durability

• Low maintenance

• Indoor or outdoor usage

• Sustainability

• Options at different price points

Cons of Stone Flooring

• High cost

• Time-consuming installation

• May require sealing

• Floor may require structural reinforcement

Cost 

If you go for natural stone, expect to spend $6 to $20 per square foot on the cost of new flooring. The material itself usually costs $5 to $15 per square foot, but exotic or luxury stones can cost more.

Installation Tips

Pick your finish wisely. Polished stones have a luxury appearance that adds elegance to an indoor space, honed stones tend to have a more natural appearance, brushed stones have rustic appeal, and tumbled stones have a worn-in appearance ideal for outdoor areas.

11. Cork Flooring

Cork is a natural softwood that’s rising in popularity for its unique look and reasonable price point. This low-maintenance flooring material has a number of benefits. It’s easy on allergy sufferers, helps dampen sound, and has a softer feel beneath the feet. It’s also easy to maintain since scratches tend to blend in with the floor’s natural texture.

Unfortunately, where cork flooring struggles is long-term durability. It is durable, but compared to other flooring materials, it struggles under the pressure of heavy objects. It’s porous, which makes it prone to water damage, and it can discolor in the sunlight. 

Pros of Cork Flooring

• Hypoallergenic

• Reasonable price point

• Natural, recyclable material

• Dampens sound

• Soft

Cons of Cork Flooring

• Poor durability under heavy objects like furniture

• Expands and contracts with moisture

• Requires sealing

• Prone to UV discoloration

• Prone to pet-related damage

Cost 

Cork flooring typically costs between $3 and $10.50 per square foot, which is more than vinyl and laminate but similar to bamboo or carpet.

Installation Tips

Since cork is porous, you’ll need to seal it so it doesn’t warp with moisture. You may want to install it in areas less prone to moisture and water. 

Things to Consider When Selecting Flooring for Your Home

Now that you know some of the most popular types of flooring, how do you choose? You’ll need to think about the way your floor works in your home. Certain materials may excel in one area and fail in another.

Durability

Always keep durability in mind—and this includes water resistance. In areas with high levels of moisture, you’ll need a material that doesn’t warp or stain when exposed to water. In high-traffic areas, you’ll need a material that can handle repeated foot traffic and won’t easily scratch or scuff.

Maintenance

Some floors do require more maintenance than others. If you really like the look of a certain material, you may not mind re-sealing or re-finishing your floor every couple of years. In the same breath, you may want a no-fuss floor you can install and easily wipe clean.

Budget

Different flooring materials have different price points. Certain stones and hardwoods will cost more than other types of stones and hardwoods. However, budgeting for new flooring isn’t just about up-front costs. If you choose a low-quality type of flooring, frequent repairs will impact your total spend.

Comfort 

You may not mind a hard surface in your garage. In fact, it’s a benefit if it needs to support the weight of your car. But you may want a cozier feeling on the feet in an area like your bedroom or living room.

Alison Kasch contributed to this piece.