Decorating & Design - Flooring

How to choose the right floor material

By: Isabelle Bergeron

An increasingly diverse range of flooring materials is available these days. To help you sort through the options, here’s the lowdown on the main products out there.

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HARDWOOD

Characteristics
Oak and maple are the most popular. New: pre-oiled exotic woods, now available with semi-gloss and gloss finishes.

Pros
Forms 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
$7-$22 per square foot

NATURAL STONE

Characteristics
Slate, marble, limestone and sandstone are popular choices.

Pros
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
$8-$50 per square foot