Flooring now comes with all kinds of material with multiple patterns, textures and colors. Check out our selection on our walls and floors page. If we don’t have it, we’ll recommend where you can get it now from our friendly suppliers. Read our guide below on how to pick flooring:
Solid Hardwoods and Softwoods
- Sand and/or refinish
- Comes in a variety of colors, finishes and species
- Different levels of durability available per your needs
- Easy to clean and hypoallergenic
- Reduces drafts and thus lowers energy bills
Engineered Woods
- Allows for installation throughout house, including the basement concrete slab
- Many colors, finishes and species
- Costs less than solid hardwoods
- Easier installation
- Can use with radiant heat
How to Install Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Laminates
- Scratch-resistant and durable
- Click-together installation
- Easy to clean and stain-resistant
- Can install over most existing floors
- Better UV light protection
Stone, Ceramic, Porcelain Tile
- Waterproof type applications
- Consistent color with natural stone tile
- Relatively easy repair damaged pieces
- Straightforward installation
Vinyl
- Attractive with a variety of colors and realistic looking patterns
- Sound dampening
- Water resistant
- More shock absorbent
Do-It-Yourself : Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Carpet
- Solid soundproofing even cushioning falls
- Good insulation while being comfortable
- Much flexibility in styles and piles
- Consider for uneven subfloors and walls
How to Pick Flooring: Considerations
- Is it below grade, on-grade, or above-grade?
- Will the flooring suffer from ground moisture like basements or water spillage and humidity like kitchens and bathrooms?
- Planning radiant heat?
- Does it get a lot of direct sun?
- Then what?
Make a drawing with detailed measurements including all aspects of the floor traffic. Calculate your room’s square footage. See calculator below. With an irregularly shaped floor area, divide the area into smaller squares and rectangles, calculating the square footage of each. Then add the square footage of each area together for the total square footage.
Then add 10% more, allowing for mistakes and for future repairs. And don’t forget to coordinate accessories and mouldings…from quarter rounds to wall base, as well as underlayment and maintenance products.