Pros
Carpet has been around since the early 1800s but became vastly popular in the ’60s and ’70s. Carpet acts as a natural air filter by trapping dust, pollen, dander, and other particulates from the air. Of course, requiring frequent vacuuming to remove those harmful allergens. It’s an affordable and comfortable flooring option, the average price range is $2-7 a square foot. It’s available in thousands of colors, styles, and textures. It also acts as a noise dampener and can help with noise transferring downstairs on a two-story home.
Cons
Carpet doesn’t last as long as some of the other flooring options out there. Quick wear and tear in high traffic areas, is easily stained and requires regular maintenance.
After Install Care:
Vacuum at least twice a week, deep clean at least once a year, and clean any spills or stains immediately. Barrier mats can be useful in protecting the carpet.
Pros
Hardwood is very durable, easy to clean, and doesn’t trap dust. It never seems to go out of style. When remodeling you can re-stain to a wood tone that works with your new color scheme instead of replacing the floor entirely.
Cons
Scratching, scuffing, and maintenance to keep its sheen. Susceptible to water damage, and staining. Hardwood is one of the more expensive options for the material and the install. The flooring ranges on average $10-$20.
After Install Care:
Sweep regularly, damp mop, and occasional deep cleaning. Take care of scratches with a concealer to hide the damage and re-seal the floor. Avoid strong chemical cleaning products and overly wet cloth. Microfiber cloths are recommended.
Pros
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are known for their durability. High traffic areas won’t show wear and tear. Easy to clean and resistant to germs. It retains your home value and is available in countless styles.
Cons
Can fade if exposed to years of sunlight. Cold in wintertime and slippery when wet. Can also be more expensive and installation is more difficult. Material ranges from $3-10 a square foot on average.
After Install Care:
Sweep or vacuum the tile floors at least 2 times a week. Sand and dirt can dull and scratch the surface. Once you’ve removed the grit, mix a mild detergent with hot water and apply it with a rag or chamois mop instead of a sponge mop. You should also clean and sanitize the grout in your home at least twice a year.
Pros
Laminate is very affordable and easy to install. It’s a tongue and groove snap-together system. It comes in many colors, shapes, and styles. The wood plank appearance is very popular right now. The material can range from $2-5 a square foot on average.
Cons
Laminate is water-resistant, but not waterproof. It is susceptible to water damage. It does not hold the same value as hardwood or tile, including the resale value of your home. Depending on the laminate you choose it can be slippery and can chip easily. The printed image on top can fade with foot traffic over time.
After Install Care:
Sweep or vacuum and then use a microfiber mop. Add glides or cushion protectors under chairs and table legs to prevent possible scratching.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of vinyl flooring is the fact that it is 100% water-resistant. It is pretty durable in most cases and can withstand floor traffic without fading. It’s affordable material and installs easily. Material ranges from $3-7 a square foot. Low maintenance and stains can be easily removed.
Cons
Tongue and groove install systems are difficult to repair. Chemicals are used to manufacture vinyl flooring and those chemicals release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Just like Laminate, It does not hold the same value as hardwood or tile, including the resale value of your home. It can feel cheap to walk on depending on the manufacturer and line purchased. Although LVP is typically water-resistant, the pad below the vinyl is not. So if you were to experience a water loss it would still need to be dried out properly and removed if exposed to too much over an extended period of time.
After Install Care:
Cleaning and maintaining vinyl plank flooring is easy. Sweeping or vacuuming is all that’s needed for daily maintenance. For deeper cleaning, a mop and warm water will work in most cases. Be sure to avoid mops with built-in scrub brushes, however, as this can damage your floor.
Pros
Carpet has been around since the early 1800s but became vastly popular in the ’60s and ’70s. Carpet acts as a natural air filter by trapping dust, pollen, dander, and other particulates from the air. Of course, requiring frequent vacuuming to remove those harmful allergens. It’s an affordable and comfortable flooring option, the average price range is $2-7 a square foot. It’s available in thousands of colors, styles, and textures. It also acts as a noise dampener and can help with noise transferring downstairs on a two-story home.
Cons
Carpet doesn’t last as long as some of the other flooring options out there. Quick wear and tear in high traffic areas, is easily stained and requires regular maintenance.
After Install Care:
Vacuum at least twice a week, deep clean at least once a year, and clean any spills or stains immediately. Barrier mats can be useful in protecting the carpet.
Pros
Hardwood is very durable, easy to clean, and doesn’t trap dust. It never seems to go out of style. When remodeling you can re-stain to a wood tone that works with your new color scheme instead of replacing the floor entirely.
Cons
Scratching, scuffing, and maintenance to keep its sheen. Susceptible to water damage, and staining. Hardwood is one of the more expensive options for the material and the install. The flooring ranges on average $10-$20.
After Install Care:
Sweep regularly, damp mop, and occasional deep cleaning. Take care of scratches with a concealer to hide the damage and re-seal the floor. Avoid strong chemical cleaning products and overly wet cloth. Microfiber cloths are recommended.
Pros
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are known for their durability. High traffic areas won’t show wear and tear. Easy to clean and resistant to germs. It retains your home value and is available in countless styles.
Cons
Can fade if exposed to years of sunlight. Cold in wintertime and slippery when wet. Can also be more expensive and installation is more difficult. Material ranges from $3-10 a square foot on average.
After Install Care:
Sweep or vacuum the tile floors at least 2 times a week. Sand and dirt can dull and scratch the surface. Once you’ve removed the grit, mix a mild detergent with hot water and apply it with a rag or chamois mop instead of a sponge mop. You should also clean and sanitize the grout in your home at least twice a year.
Pros
Laminate is very affordable and easy to install. It’s a tongue and groove snap-together system. It comes in many colors, shapes, and styles. The wood plank appearance is very popular right now. The material can range from $2-5 a square foot on average.
Cons
Laminate is water-resistant, but not waterproof. It is susceptible to water damage. It does not hold the same value as hardwood or tile, including the resale value of your home. Depending on the laminate you choose it can be slippery and can chip easily. The printed image on top can fade with foot traffic over time.
After Install Care:
Sweep or vacuum and then use a microfiber mop. Add glides or cushion protectors under chairs and table legs to prevent possible scratching.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of vinyl flooring is the fact that it is 100% water-resistant. It is pretty durable in most cases and can withstand floor traffic without fading. It’s affordable material and installs easily. Material ranges from $3-7 a square foot. Low maintenance and stains can be easily removed.
Cons
Tongue and groove install systems are difficult to repair. Chemicals are used to manufacture vinyl flooring and those chemicals release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Just like Laminate, It does not hold the same value as hardwood or tile, including the resale value of your home. It can feel cheap to walk on depending on the manufacturer and line purchased. Although LVP is typically water-resistant, the pad below the vinyl is not. So if you were to experience a water loss it would still need to be dried out properly and removed if exposed to too much over an extended period of time.
After Install Care:
Cleaning and maintaining vinyl plank flooring is easy. Sweeping or vacuuming is all that’s needed for daily maintenance. For deeper cleaning, a mop and warm water will work in most cases. Be sure to avoid mops with built-in scrub brushes, however, as this can damage your floor.