Different Types of Flooring: Pros & Cons

With there being so many different flooring options, it can be difficult to choose. Laminate, carpet, hardwood, or engineered flooring? These are just some of the options available. However, this question can usually be answered by the room’s intended use; for example, carpet is better suited to a living space as it’s warmer, while laminate is easier to clean and great for kitchens.

This article will discuss the different types of flooring options and the pros and cons of these, helping you choose which type of flooring is best for you.

LVP

Luxury vinyl panel (LVP) flooring is slowly becoming more and more popular. LVP captures the aesthetic of hardwood flooring at a more affordable cost. Other pros to this choice of flooring include:

● Spill and scratch-resistant

● Easy to clean (low maintenance)

● Softer than hardwood flooring

As you can see, LVP flooring is a great choice for those on a budget, but want the aesthetic of traditional hardwood flooring. Unlike other flooring options, including hardwood, LVP is easier to clean and resistant to scratches.

With this being said, there are a few cons, including:

● LVP flooring does not add as much value as traditional hardwood flooring

Furthermore, LVP flooring may look like hardwood flooring, but is still distinctively different - you can’t skimp on flooring quality.

LVT

Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are a great addition to rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom, and occasionally utility room. Benefits of LVT include:

● Scratch-proof

● Water-resistant

● Anti-slip

As you can see, LVT flooring is water-resistant and anti-slip, making it great for rooms prone to water build-up, even if this is the occasional splash. Also, the scratch-proof design means you can confidently move chairs and other furniture without damaging your flooring.

Nonetheless, cons of LVT are similar to LVP, mainly the issue with added value. However, if you’re not planning on moving home, or even if are, this will likely not be an issue.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring is the holy grail of flooring options. A house with hardwood flooring increases in value, thanks to its aesthetic look and quality, long-lasting finish.

Pros of hardwood flooring include:

● Long-lasting

● Easy to maintain

● Added value to your home

The easy to maintain nature of hardwood flooring is no doubt one of the biggest selling points, not to mention the added value it provides to your home. But, as with other flooring options, there are several cons, including:

● Prone to scratches

● Expensive

● Prone to water damage

To get the most of hardwood flooring, it’s important to avoid scratching and water damage. This can damage the flooring, ruining it entirely or taking multiple years off of its life-span. Hardwood flooring is a costly investment, so be sure it’s for you before purchasing.

Tile floor

Every so often, you see a room with tile flooring. Many people have mixed feelings about this flooring option. However, the benefits speak for themselves:

● Durable

● Temperature and chemical resistant

● Cost-effective

If you’re shopping for flooring on a budget, yet don’t want to comprise on quality then consider tile flooring for rooms such as your bathroom or kitchen. Tile flooring is super durable and temperature resistant, not to mention easy to clean.

Despite the rather convincing pros, tile flooring does come with a couple of downsides. These include:

● Prone to cracks if heavy objects are dropped on the flooring

● Tile temperature adjusts accordingly to the temperature

Dropping heavy objects on tile flooring may result in it cracking. Similarly, tile temperature adjusts to the temperature. So, for example, during the summer months your tile flooring may be too hot to stand on, and in winter, too cold to bare early in the morning.

Engineered flooring

Engineered flooring is an alternative option to traditional hardwood. This type of flooring provides a somewhat similar aesthetic for a fraction of the price.

Pros of engineered flooring include:

● Easy installation

● Cheaper than traditional hardwood

● Less prone to water or moisture damage than hardwood flooring

● Improves value of your home

Despite the resounding pros, there are several cons too:

● Can only be refinished a handful of times

● It still isn’t hardwood…

Unlike traditional hardwood that can be refinished on average seven times, engineered flooring can only be refinished a handful of times. This means the lifespan is less, especially if you have opted for a hybrid option.

Carpet

The final flooring option we have is carpet. Carpet is a classic, a staple in many homes, especially modern ones. The pros of carpet include:

● Added warmth

● Wide choice of colors

● Soft and quiet

The main pros are definitely the added warmth and soft nature of carpet, reducing the noise of footprints and increasing insulation properties during the winter months.

Cons of carpet include:

● Easily stain

● Shows wear and tear

● Requires regular maintenance

As carpet easily stains, consider hardwood flooring or laminate (or others) for rooms in which spills may occur, or if you have a pet, such as a dog.

Request an appointment today to consult your different options with an expert!