1 Vinyl
Pros
• Huge selection of styles and colours. Available in tiles or sheets.
• Low price, low maintenance. Double-thick vinyl is ideal for damp areas like bathrooms. Tiles are easy to DIY if the subfloor is level.
Cons
• Vulnerable to scratches, tears, stains and wear.
Cost: $2 to $9/sq. ft.
2 Linoleum
Pros
• Huge selection of styles and colours. Available in tiles or sheets.
• Natural, biodegradable and hypoallergenic, composed of flax and natural resin. Does not trap dust or bacteria, which helps air quality. Low maintenance, durable and mildew-resistant.
Cons
• Does not suit all decors.
Cost: $6 to $13/sq. ft.
3 Ceramic tiles
Pros
• Huge selection of colours, styles and sizes.
• Can easily be coordinated with tile backsplash.
Cons
• Can cause discomfort to legs and back after prolonged standing.
• Not all tiles are equally wear-resistant; high-traffic areas like kitchens call for stronger ceramic. Can crack or chip. Needs a level subfloor.
Cost: $5 to $20/sq. ft.
4 Porcelain tiles
Pros
• The look of stone, for less! Huge selection of colours and designs.
• Stronger than ceramic; durable and low maintenance.
Cons
• Can cause discomfort to legs and back after prolonged standing.
Cost: $6 to $14/sq. ft.
5 Laminate
Pros
• Great selection of styles and colours. Looks like wood, stone, ceramic.
• Resists stains, scratches, dents, even cigarette burns. Relatively easy to DIY, often directly on top of existing floor.
• Click-into-place styles can simply be dismantled and taken with you when you move. Good-quality laminate can last up to 25 years.
Cons
• Not recommended for bathrooms or other damp areas. Must be replaced when worn.
Cost: $4 to $10/sq. ft.
7 Comments
I want to remove the carpet on my stairs. While the cost of hardwood for the treads is minimal the wood nosings are extremely expensive. Does anyone know of an alternative? I want to purchase pre-finsihed rather than stain & varathane myself. I am wondering if just nicely painted black stairs would look good, as I have flat black wrought iron spindles and the stairs butt up to charcoal porcelain tiles.
im struggling too with the hardwood vs carpet...upstairs we have hardwood but its old and needs sanding and refinishing...i wonder if the toxins that will throw into the air would outweigh the environmental benefits of not using carpet. i would prefer carpet for sound insulatin and warmth!
Does wall to wall carpeting play a big part in the temperature of a room. My home is almost 100 yrs old and I have beautiful hardwood flooring under my carpets. I am considering removing the carpets but I am afraid that it may cause our home feel cold. Big older home + increased oil prices = $$$$
We have oak hardwood in our living room with a large area rug; our kitchen is ceramic as is our bathroom. We have maple in the bedrooms and hallways on the upper level. On the lower level, family room, bedroom, Den and hallway is all laminate (not the most expensive) and ceramic tile in the laundry room and bathroom. We also have a large area rug in the Den. In the bedrooms and bathrooms, we just have short napped area rugs. I think the biggest factor not to have wall to wall carpet is the allergy issue. More and more people are opting out of installing carpet for that reason alone. Having allergies myself, I know that is the main issue for me even tho' I do like the softness and the warmth of a carpet and carpet would definitely be better walking on for my back problems as I tend to walk heavily. My husband and I also have 3 cats and I can tell you that it is much easier to clean cat fur, "throw-ups" and other "accidents" up than off carpet. As it is, my bagless vacuum gets its fill twice weekly of the furrballs!! ;-} For me, I wouldn't change to carpet for the 2 reasons I mention above and I DO love my hardwood floors! They are well worth the cost and investment. Good luck with hubby!! *smile*
Does anyone put down carpet anymore? (I have quality carpet in my home and would love to change to hardwood in the living/dining areas, but having a job convincing hubby as he likes the feel and warmth of the carpet)
what about cork flooring for the kitchen? pros and cons?
Great article. I'm about to redo my floors and this is just the kind of information I need to help with the decision-making. Thanks!