Hardwood Flooring

There are two main types of hardwood flooring: solid wood flooring, which as the name implies consists of a one solid piece of wood, and engineered wood flooring, in which a thin veneer of real wood is bonded to layers of structural plywood. Both types come in up to fifty species, with some of the most popular options being oak, ash, maple and walnut.
  • Pros: The warmth and beauty of hardwood flooring explains its enduring appeal. Since the material can be sanded and refinished multiple times (especially solid wood versions) a well-maintained hardwood floor can last for decades, or even centuries.
  • Cons: The biggest downside is cost. Though some species are less expensive than others, wood flooring tends to be the most expensive. It’s also subject to dents and scratches, plus solid flooring in particular will expand and contract with changes in humidity levels, leading to cracks, splinters and squeaky boards (engineered flooring does much better with moisture, making it suitable to kitchens and basements).

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is a type of synthetic flooring that resembles wood or stone. It is made from a particleboard wood base topped by wood or tile photo beneath a transparent plastic protective layer. If you have pets and small children, laminate may also be a better choice as it is resistant to scratches.

Pros:

  • Easy to install and DIY-friendly
  • Available in a variety of colors and styles
  • Durable and scratch-resistant
  • Great for high-traffic areas
  • More affordable than hardwood

Cons:

  • Susceptible to moisture damage
  • Difficult to repair
  • Not ideal for kitchens or bathrooms
  • Chips easily

Vinyl Plank

Although similar to linoleum, vinyl is a synthetic material that can mimic the look and feel of almost anything. It’s a durable and maintenance-free option that varies in quality from cheap to luxury. It’s commonly used in laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, but it also makes an excellent choice for basements.

Pros:

  • Endless variety of patterns and textures
  • Totally waterproof
  • Low maintenance and durable
  • Easy to install
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Can look cheap (not luxury Vinyl)
  • Can warp if applied incorrectly

Vinyl Plank Flooring Options

Vinyl planks allow you to achieve the look of hardwood or tile at a fraction of the cost. They are all waterproof, easy to clean and maintain, scratch resistant and more. Learn more about the most popular types of vinyl plank floors:

Expanded Polymer Core (WPC)

Manufactured with a rigid expanded PVC core instead of a solid PVC backing, WPCs have tiny air pockets in the core that create great sound properties in a space. This expanded core is joined with a traditional thin LVT Cap to create it’s visual and usually has an attached pad on the back to create softness under foot. Most WPC products have a locking system and are installed as a floating floor requiring no glue.

Solid Polymer Core (SPC)

This type of flooring includes a solid PVC core with a thin traditional LVT cap to create the visual. This solid un-plasticized core is incredibly stiff and tough with great indentation and temperature stability properties. This product is also generally a floating floor and can be installed without any glue.

Traditional Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

Traditional LVT floor is composed of multiple layers of flexible PVC making it much less stiff then the rigid core products. It is composed of a scratch resistant wearlayer, a decorative/image layer and a durable flexible backing layer and is known to be stable and reliable. Most Traditional LVT requires adhesive and is glued to the floor in an installation.