Everyone seems to have their favorite types of flooring, which can make it easier to determine which type you must use during construction projects.  However, if you have ever come across anyone who doesn’t know what types of flooring they love, you must know which ones may work best for their needs.  Of course, this also can help you in your personal life, because you may find that you love some of the newer types of flooring that are now available.

Types of Flooring to Consider for Your Future Projects

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring has been one of the most popular types of flooring on the market for decades and we do not see that changing any time soon.  This type of material is cut from trees and while any type of tree can be used, you will see mostly walnut, cherry, and oak options.
The width of this material can vary, but it is usually approximately three quarters of an inch thick.  You can purchase prefinished hardwood flooring, or you can buy it unfinished and sand it down and finish it to your specifications.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

While hardwood flooring is the most popular of the types of flooring, it can be very expensive.  The cost is what makes many people choose engineered hardwood flooring instead.  This type of flooring is made by combining a layer of hardwood to multiple layers of plywood planks.  These engineered hardwood planks look exactly like hardwood, but they are more resistant to moisture.
Due to the thin coating of veneer on top, you cannot resand and refinish this type of floor; however, you can apply a high-quality coating to make them resistant to scratches and other marks.  There are many different kinds of wood that you can choose from for engineered hardwood, but again, the most popular include hickory, oak, and cherry.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the newer types of flooring and it is a sustainable and eco-friendly option that many people are loving nowadays.  While natural bamboo is really light, you can purchase it after it has been treated with a darker finish.
Most bamboo is created from Moso bamboo, which is grown over in China.  This eco-friendly material can be reharvested every five years, which is so much better than the twenty-plus years that it takes for a tree to grow.
The cost of this material is comparable to hardwood, which is why so many people are seriously considering this newer type of flooring.

Laminate

Laminate flooring can look just like hardwood floors, but they are much less expensive.  This material is very similar to engineered hardwood floors, but laminate doesn’t have a real wood top layer.  In addition to looking like wood, you can also purchase laminate that looks like ceramic tiles, stained concrete, and real stone.

Linoleum

The linoleum of the 1970s is not the linoleum that you will see on floors today, which is why this type of flooring is still around.  Linoleum can be purchased in sheets and once you install them, you can add a protective coating to ensure that they do not get stained or worn.

Cork

Cork is another material that is environmentally friendly and that is why so many environmentally conscious people are choosing this type of flooring over all the others.  Cork is basically tree bark and the way that the bark is harvested, it doesn’t kill the trees.  The bark will then regenerate on the trees every eight to ten years, which means that more cork can be produced in a shorter amount of time that it would take to grow another tree.
Cork has a warm appearance, just like hardwood, but it has unusual grain patterns which give it a unique look.  Cork can be purchased in both planks and tiles and you can choose the one that you think will look best in the space you are putting it.
Almost all cork is prefinished, but you should still make sure that it is sealed every three to five years to ensure that it will not get ruined by moisture and to prevent staining.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles get a bad rap amongst all different types of flooring, because they can be cold underfoot.  You can choose almost any color and texture and you can now even choose from different types of shapes and sizes.
Ceramic tiles are made by mixing clay and shale and then placing it in a kiln to harden.  The numerous color choices are created by adding different pigments.
If you do decide to use ceramic tiles on your floor, you may want to add radiant heated coils underneath, so the tiles will not be as cold under your feet.  It is also an excellent idea to choose an anti-slip surface for safety.

Carpet

Carpet is one of the most popular types of flooring, especially when it comes to bedrooms.  There are so many different textures and colors available and you can find it made from numerous materials.  We recommend looking at the fiber density count for any carpeting that you are considering, because the more fibers that are in every square inch, the more durable the carpeting will be.

Stone Flooring

One of the most expensive types of flooring is stone and just due to the luxurious look and feel, it is easy to see why.  These flooring tiles are made from many types of stone, so do not think that you are stuck with just one option.  When it comes to stone flooring, you can choose from limestone, travertine, marble, granite, and slate.  The harder the stone, the more moisture resistant it will be, so choose your stone carefully.
All stone flooring needs to be refinished every few years, so that they stay looking beautiful for many years in the future.

Polished Concrete

Concrete floors are starting to become a popular type of flooring option, especially in homes that have a modern appearance.  This type of material can be dyed many different colors, plus you can have it stamped with almost any pattern you can think of.
This type of flooring can be quite complex to install, so you must either be knowledgeable in this area or you should consult an expert.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is one of the most durable types of flooring and it is practically maintenance free as well.  This is a low-cost option for those who are working on a strict budget and no one will need to sacrifice color and style since there are many colors and patterns to choose from.
With so many different types of flooring to choose from, we can see why it can be difficult to make a decision on which one you love the most.  However, since each one offers unique pros compared to the cons, there will always be a type of flooring that stands out amongst all the rest.