Deciding what type of flooring material to use is one of the biggest choices you’ll have to make when remodeling, and it can be a difficult decision for many. Looks are obviously an important factor to consider, but there’s also the issue of practicality. Will the floor be easy to clean? Will it stand up to kids, or pets? What about spills? Choosing the right material can feel like trying to balance on a tightrope, as every option has both costs and benefits. At Divine Home Remodeling, we want your remodeling decisions to be as easy as possible, which is why we’ve compiled some of the pros and cons to the most popular types of flooring material.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular options today, and for good reason. Hardwood is one of the best choices when it comes to both looks and durability, and minor damages like scratches and scrapes can be fixed relatively easily. The only real downside to using hardwood is that it requires regular maintenance and may even warp if it gets too wet.

A cheaper alternative to consider is engineered hardwood, but the lower price means less durability, as it can only be refinished a few times before wearing out. Whether you choose standard or engineered, hardwood flooring options will bring a refined, attractive look to your home.

Carpet

Another popular choice, carpet is softer, warmer, and more comfortable to walk on than other materials, and is generally less expensive as well. There’s a wide variety of colors, patterns, and types of fabric available, so you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to choosing the best design for your home.

The biggest downside to using carpet is that it’s much harder to clean than other flooring, and is more susceptible to stains. Carpet can also be a trap for hair and dust, which could be a problem for people with allergies. Messy kids, pets, and wine stains can be a disaster in carpeted areas of the home, so these are important factors to consider when deciding whether it’s the right choice for you.

Tile

Tile is the most durable material on this list, and comes in an enormous variety of sizes, styles, and colors. Tile is easy to keep clean in messy areas of the house, making it an ideal choice for bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes. Tile also has a wide price range, so if you choose the cheaper options, it can be one of the most affordable flooring materials available.

The main downsides to using tile are that cleaning the grout is an undesirable chore, and the surface can be hard to stand on for extended periods. Tile can also be difficult to install, which means anyone other than a skilled DIY homeowner will probably have to hire expert installation.

Laminate

Laminate is an increasingly popular flooring material, as it’s inexpensive, comes prefinished, and can be installed over existing floors. Like the other harder materials on this list, laminate is easy to clean, and is also softer and more comfortable on your feet than wood or tile.

The main downside to laminate flooring is that it’s not very durable. It’s more prone to moisture damage than tile or wood, and can’t be refinished in the event of scratches or scrapes. However, if you’re remodeling on a tight budget and water damage isn’t a concern to you, then laminate is a hard value to beat.

Those were the basic pros and cons of the most popular floor materials, and we hope they help when it comes to your home remodeling project. Divine Home Remodeling offers floor installation services at a great price, so if you’ve already chosen your material or you’d like some recommendations from our expert team, contact us today for a free estimate.