No single floor is right for every room. Hardwood is the classic choice for a living room and a poor one for a basement. Here is how we walk customers through the seven floors we install most, and where each belongs.
1. Solid hardwood
Oak, maple, hickory and others, in strips or wide planks, nailed to a wood subfloor. It looks good in any style of house, it can be refinished several times over its life, and it adds real resale value. It doesn't like moisture, so keep it above grade and out of full bathrooms. Prefinished boards cost less to install and have a tougher factory finish than site-finished.
2. Engineered hardwood
A thin layer of real wood over plywood. It looks identical to solid wood on the surface, costs less, and is more stable with humidity swings, so it works over concrete and in rooms where solid wood would cup. It can be nailed, glued or floated. It can usually be refinished once or twice depending on the veneer.
3. Bamboo
Technically a grass, sold as planks. Strand-woven bamboo is very hard and looks modern. It's sensitive to humidity and quality varies a lot between brands, so buy from a reputable supplier.
4. Ceramic and porcelain tile
The right answer for bathrooms, mudrooms and many kitchens. Waterproof, nearly indestructible and available in every look including wood-plank patterns. It's cold and hard underfoot, which is why heated floors pair so well with it. Installation needs a rigid, flat subfloor.
5. Laminate
A photographic layer under a wear coat on a fiberboard core, clicked together as a floating floor. Inexpensive, scratch-resistant and quick to install. The weakness is water: a flooded laminate floor swells and is done. Good for bedrooms, offices and family rooms.
6. Luxury vinyl plank and tile (LVP / LVT)
Our most-installed floor today. Fully waterproof, durable, comfortable underfoot, realistic in appearance and reasonably priced. It goes in basements, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and anywhere else. Choose a thicker wear layer for high-traffic areas.
7. Linoleum
Not vinyl. Linoleum is made from linseed oil, cork and wood flour, so it's natural and long-lasting, and it comes in bold colors. It needs periodic sealing and is less common now, but it remains a good choice for kitchens and laundry rooms.
Our rule of thumb
Wet rooms get tile or LVP. Living spaces get hardwood or engineered wood if the budget allows, LVP or laminate if not. Basements get LVP. And every floor is only as good as the subfloor under it, which is where we spend the first day of any flooring job.
Ready for new floors? See our flooring installation page or request a free estimate.