Various Types of Flooring for Homes

Q: What are the various types of flooring material (other than linoleum) available to us for our flooring project?

A: With so many types of flooring available, it may seem hard to choose which type of flooring material to go with, especially if you find yourself liking them all! Making this decision can be easier if you consider these factors:

• Size of the family
• Amount of traffic
• Presence/Absence of children & pets
• Maintenance
• Floor life

With these factors under consideration, the following types of flooring and their specific qualities may start to be more or less appealing to you as a homeowner.

Ceramic/Stone floors:

• Durable
• Elegant
• Heat resistant
• Low Maintenance
• Home structure

Ceramic tiles traditionally were relegated to use in kitchens and bathrooms only, but it’s becoming more popular for homeowners to use ceramic and stone as flooring options in other rooms of the home, even in living rooms.

Ceramic flooring comes in three basic types: glazed, unglazed and porcelain.

• Glazed ceramic tiles are designed with glass coated with mineral stains and come in semi-gloss or high-gloss finishing.
• Unglazed ceramic tiles have different texture and are very hard.
• Porcelain is the hardest as it has a higher breaking strength.

Ceramic tiles are easy to maintain. They are durable so dents, dings and scratches almost never occur. One thing to keep in mind is to never to use ceramic tiles over a floor that may have structural movements. Though ceramic tiles are durable, they are prone to cracking. And ceramic throughout the home or in major areas of traffic outside of a kitchen or bathroom may not be good for homes with children as it can be slippery when it gets wet.

Natural stone floors such as granite, marble, limestone, travertine and others are commonly used as living room flooring. Stone offers many advantages including: natural beauty, elegance and durability. Stone flooring is among one of the more expensive types of flooring as it also requires sub flooring when installed.

Wood Flooring:

• Long floor life
• Easy maintenance
• Works well with many interior designs.
• Prone to scratches and dents

Two common types of wood flooring are the natural and synthetic woods. The majority of our homeowners select natural woods for their different styles and patterns, overall appeal and home resale value.  

• Parquet square is the most common type. It comes in square boards that form its pattern. The big advantage of using parquet square is that it is replaceable.
• Plank flooring adds a classic look. Although planks do not require sub flooring, these are more expensive that other wood floors.
• Strip floor is another type of natural wood floor. These are long narrow boards that may be prone to buckling and typically are installed with sub flooring.