Replacing old flooring can be quite an undertaking. There are many factors at play.
Do you choose DIY versus hiring a contractor?
One section of the home versus the entire house?
And, of course, you’ll need to decide which flooring solution is right for you. With so many options out there, this part of the process can be stressful and time-consuming. If you’re reading this guide, you’re likely already researching which option is right for you. Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Take a look at this complete list of home flooring options to inform your decision.
A timeless classic, hardwood flooring is a highly sought-after option for many homeowners. And for good reason! It has a stunning look and a worthwhile return on investment. This flooring comes in either 1.5 - 2.5 inches strips or 4 - 8 inches wide planks. Homeowners can choose popular options such as oak or opt for a more opulent material such as bocote.
Hardwood is one of the most popular flooring options. It undoubtedly comes with a great number of benefits. Here is what you will love about wood flooring:
Wood flooring does come with its fair share of disadvantages as well. If you’re sold on this option, be sure to consider the drawbacks before moving forward with your project:
If you have your heart set on hardwood flooring, know that it can be one of your most costly options. Most installations will be around $6 to $12 per square foot. Higher-end jobs might climb up to $13 to $25 per square foot.
If you love the idea of wood flooring but don’t love the price tag, engineered wood floors might be a good fit for you. This type of flooring is created by placing a thin layer of natural wood on top of a base of manufactured material that’s usually composed of stone dust and wood fiber.
It comes in a variety of colors and plank sizes so they can fit seamlessly into your unique interior design aesthetic.
There are a number of reasons why you may choose to install engineered wood over other options. It can be a great fit for someone looking for a beautiful flooring solution for less than actual hardwood. Here are some more benefits:
While there are many benefits of installing engineered wood there are some definite drawbacks to keep in mind as well:
The average cost of engineered wood flooring is roughly $3.05 per square foot – significantly less expensive than traditional wood flooring. The Installation cost of labor will be comparable to solid wood. Keep in mind that some more high-end types of engineered wood will be more expensive than cheaper, natural wood.
A tried and true classic, the carpet is another popular choice. Often found in bedrooms and living areas, this flooring solution provides a cozy underfoot feel. It comes in a range of colors, textures, and materials. Some popular materials include wool, polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Within each of these categories, there are tons of different styles and colors to choose from.
Carpet can be a great flooring option for several reasons. Many homeowners come back to this flooring solution time and time again. Here are some reasons why:
As many benefits there are for carpets, there’s an equal number of cons. Here are some considerations to keep in mind before installing this type of flooring:
You can expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $4 per square foot for carpet. The Labor cost for carpet flooring for a 16x20-foot room will be around $960 to $1,920. Pricing will depend on the material quality and pattern of the carpet you choose.
Epoxy is a popular flooring option for both residential and commercial building owners alike. This sturdy, long-lasting flooring has certainly earned its reputation as an incredible floor option for houses. Comprised of a two-part combination of polymer resins and hardeners, it dazzles with a vast collection of color options and textures. While it’s widely known to be a garage flooring solution, epoxy is great in basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and more too.
You’ll come to find that there are many positives to choosing epoxy flooring. Here are some qualities you’ll love when you choose to go with epoxy flooring.
Of course, there are some considerations to be aware of when you decide to give epoxy flooring a try. Keep these drawbacks in mind when you are weighing out the options:
Epoxy flooring will run you anywhere between $4.33 to $8.68 per square foot depending on the quality and if you decide to add texture or color chips. Since this flooring can be installed directly on top of concrete, labor costs are lower than say wood flooring where an underlayment needs to be installed as well.
If you’re looking for a flooring solution that’s a step above epoxy, polyaspartic floor coatings might be a good option for you. While it has a similar resinous finish to epoxy flooring, polyaspartic floor coatings are comprised of ester and various other materials rather than polymer resins. It hardens to create a more abrasion-resistant finish than traditional epoxy.
There are many benefits to choosing polyaspartic floor coatings for your home. Here are some qualities you’ll love about it:
This flooring system isn’t going to be a great fit for all homeowners. Keep these considerations in mind while vetting polyaspartic coatings as a possible option:
You can expect to pay around $5 – $7 per square foot. You can expect to pay around $2,000 – $2,800 for a two-car garage. These prices will vary depending on the size of the room, the number of layers applied, and the addition of any color or textured chips.
Call on Epoxy Colorado for all your epoxy and polyaspartic floor coating needs!
Elegance is embodied by the ceramic tile floor. Made from shale and clay, they come in a vast variety of colors and patterns. There are four types of ceramic tiles to choose from: glazed ceramic, terracotta, quarry tile, and porcelain. The tiles themselves can be cut into many different shapes. While they have a stunning look, they are notorious for not being very durable when under heavy use.
Ceramic tile can be a great choice for certain homeowners. Here are some of the benefits you will enjoy if you opt to choose this flooring:
Tile can come with its fair share of downsides as well. As beautiful as this option is, some of these cons might dissuade some homeowners from choosing it as a floor option:
With such a vast variety of options when it comes to tile, there is a wide range of how much it will cost to install. In fact, it can run you anywhere from $0.50 to $35 per square foot. Since it can be so expensive, many homeowners opt to install it in a small area of the house such as a bathroom, kitchen, or mudroom.
If you're searching for a budget-friendly flooring option, laminate flooring might be a good choice for you. Laminate flooring is essentially a printed photo of a traditional flooring option such as wood, stone, or tile placed on top of a layer of plywood or compressed fiber. It usually comes in planks or tiles. This versatile option is great for a variety of rooms.
Laminate flooring has garnered a lot of popularity for a reason. Many thrifty homeowners are drawn to these benefits:
While the price tag for this flooring option is compelling, there are some downsides as well. If you’re considering laminate flooring, you should be aware of these drawbacks:
Expect to pay somewhere between $2 and $8 per square foot for laminate flooring. Since this flooring is so simple, it is fairly DIY-friendly. If you choose to tackle this project on your own, you might be able to shave down the cost even more. Just keep in mind that poor installation will lead to shorter longevity.
Flexible and soft, vinyl flooring is another option on the cheaper end of the floor material spectrum. It’s made by adding a layer of polyvinyl chloride plastic on top of a layer of felt. Some people choose to add another layer of foam for an even more comfortable underfoot feel. Similar to laminate, vinyl can mimic tile, stone, wood, and more.
There are quite a few reasons why someone might choose to go with vinyl flooring. Here are some pros to this flooring choice:
While vinyl flooring will be a great choice for some, it won’t be compatible with all homeowners’ needs. Here are some drawbacks to be mindful of:
As we mentioned, there’s a lot of variance between the lowest and highest quality vinyl flooring. With that being said, there’s also a wide range of how much you might pay. Most projects will cost somewhere between $2 and $14 per square foot. It will all depend on how high the quality of the vinyl is and if you get professional help or not.
A long-time favorite, linoleum has been around since the 1880s. It took off in popularity around the 1940s. Once vinyl came around, it lost some popularity. But this old-school option is being seen in a new light now that sustainability is in the mind of more and more homeowners.
Unlike vinyl, it is made from renewable materials such as cork powder and linseed oil. Linoleum comes in a variety of colors and has a distinct look from other types of flooring.
There are plenty of reasons to jump back on the linoleum flooring bandwagon. Here are a few reasons to consider this option:
Of course, there’s a reason this flooring hasn’t regained its former popularity quite yet. Here are some qualities you might not like about linoleum flooring:
There are several types of linoleum options available such as sheet or tile linoleum. The cost will vary depending on which type you choose but you can generally expect to pay anywhere from $3.50 to $8.00 per square foot when installing linoleum.