Hardwood
Hardwood is certainly one of the most beautiful flooring choices, and can, at once, give a space a rustic or elegant feel. It can also wear out in high-traffic areas, especially if you have pets. If you truly love hardwood, sanding and refinishing it every few years is one option, says Anna, as is placing an area rug or runner "so you get the best of both worlds – the comfort feeling of carpet and the classic look of wood."
Hardwood flooring comes in classic 3/4-inch solid wood floors, usually made from maple or oak, as well as engineered and longstrip plank floors, both made from a variety of domestic and exotic woods. All three look similar, but because engineered and longstrip planks are made from thin strips of wood glued together, this option provides better stability and resistance to moisture – which means it can be used in basements or over concrete, where solid wood would contract and separate.
Laminate
If you love the look of hardwood, tile or marble, but can't afford or maintain these finishes, you may want to consider laminate. The Swedish import can resemble any of the materials since it is simply a photograph under a clear wearlayer – and therein lies its biggest fault. For Anna, the inexpensive alternative is "almost too perfect."
That said, laminate is almost impossible to stain, scratch or burn, and because it is a collection of interlocking planks or squares glued to one another – and not the floor or subfloor – it is easy to replace and is moisture-resistant.
Vinyl
With its easy maintenance, resistance to stains and spills and ability to hide scratches, vinyl has long been the number one choice for kitchens. Perhaps it has also been the ugliest – but newer offerings of this material are more hip, with a dynamic selection of colours, patterns and textures.
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