Types Of Flooring, Laminate, Hardwood, Vinyl Tile, Bamboo, Cork, Rubber

Best Types Of Flooring For Your Home


With as many different choices as there are in today's flooring materials, it's easy to become confused and overwhelmed. Manufacturing techniques and raw material have improved to such a degree, and costs have equalized so much, that finding the best choice among all the alternatives can seem mind-boggling for the average homeowner and do-it-yourselfer. This brief guide is designed to aid you in clearing away some of the cobwebs.

Types of Flooring ImageLaminate tile flooring and laminate planks have become a favorite of many remodelers and homebuilders, mainly because it so deftly combines toughness and beauty, as well as easy installation. With laminates, you can duplicate many natural materials - even handtextured and distressed exotic hardwoods - without the high cost of using the real thing. Of course, there are great differences between makes and types of laminate floor materials, so it pays to do your research ahead of time.

Another great choice, and one upscale homebuilders have been using for years, is hardwood flooring. Available in a wider array of finishes and textures than ever before, hardwoods have come a long way from the simple days of pine boards laid end-to-end. Exotic hardwoods like Bamboo and Cork, as well as the more traditional Oak, Cherry, and Maple are all available for the discerning homeowner and decorator, and their natural beauty and durability is unmatched by any manmade product.

Vinyl is a material that has come into it's own of late, and not only the cheap vinyl sheet materials used by many low budget homebuilders. Commercial grade vinyl tile - a material many of us remember from our school days - is experiencing a rebirth, and the colors and patterns available spark the imagination. Excellent durability and ease of cleaning make self adhesive vinyl tile a great choice for kitchen, bath, and high traffic areas like foyers and entryways.

Finally, flooring materials many of us don't think of are actually becoming more mainstream. Think of Rubber and you may not think of your home's floors, but this makes a great floor for a recreation room, an excercise or play space, or even your kid's bedroom. Marble has also enjoyed a resurgence, and don't forget rugs and carpeting for everyday living spaces, and ceramic tile for kitchens and bathrooms. Even good old linoleum has much to offer the discriminating remodeler.

Whatever your tastes and budget, you're sure to find a great flooring material for your new home or remodeling project.