6 Hardwood
Pros
• Oak and maple are the most popular. New : pre-oiled exotic woods, now available with semi-gloss and gloss finishes.
• Creates a warm, natural atmosphere. Never goes out of fashion. More comfortable for legs and back than harder surfaces. Durable if properly sealed. With oiled floors, a sanding and a coat of mineral oil will hide scratches. Look for longer boards to avoid a patchwork effect.
Cons
• Requires resealing every few years, but floorboards with a factory-sealed finish can be extremely resistant if they're good quality. Dirt can accumulate in too-wide joints between boards.
Cost: $6 to $15/sq. ft.
7 Engineered wood
Pros
• An alternative to hardwood and laminate, it is also a more versatile option.
• Produced by adhering sheets of real wood to a composite surface. Does not expand or contract with temperature changes. Sold prefinished. Can be glued or clicked into place directly over concrete or an acoustic underlay.
Cons
• Less durable than hardwood. Cannot be sanded more than twice.
Cost: $7 to $20/sq. ft.
8 Bamboo
Pros
• Gives decor an exotic accent. Beautiful blond tone with natural striations. Carbonization process deepens grain and colour. Some natural shades available.
• Environmentally friendly: Bamboo is a renewable, rapid-growth plant. Harder and more resistant to dampness than wood, making it particularly suitable for the kitchen and basement.
Cons
• Relatively limited selection of shades.
Cost: $7 to $10/sq. ft.
9 Cork
Pros
• Available in either tiles or interlocking planks to make a floating floor. Good selection of colours and styles, allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind design.
• Warm and cushiony on bare feet. Hypoallergenic and mildew- and dent-resistant, making it suitable even for bathrooms. As durable as wood, but an extra application of sealer is recommended in damp rooms.
Cons
• Does not go well with all decors. Less popular than wood.
Cost: $7 to $16/sq. ft.
10 Natural stone
Pros
• Slate, marble, limestone and sandstone are popular choices.
• Slab marble and limestone are not especially hard-wearing, but tumbled (travertine) marble is highly durable.
Cons
• Can cause leg and back discomfort after prolonged standing. Because it is a natural material, stone can contain imperfections (texture, colour, veining).
• Needs regular sealing.
Cost: $10 to $30/sq. ft.
11 Concrete
Pros
• Provides the industrial look that's increasingly popular.
• Perfect for lofts. Good selection of colours and finishes.
Cons
• Can cause leg and back discomfort after prolonged standing. Surface receiving the concrete must be properly prepared.
• Needs yearly resealing.
Cost: About $13/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!