Picking out flooring can be stressful and you might not even know what your options are. Below we are sharing a basic guide from bhg.com to what exactly each flooring material is, what you’ll pay for it, and the options for design.
Cork
Material – Cork is all natural and made of bark of the cork oak tree. It is molded, baked, cut and varnished into tiles or planks. Cork is a natural sound reducer, heat retainer, and shock absorber.
Cost – Generally ranged from $3-$6 per square foot.
Design – You can find cork in all types of patterns, shapes and colors to fit your needs.
Laminate
Material – An image of some kind of material, like stone or wood, that is layered in between a clear protective coat on top and fiberboard on bottom. Pieces can fit together like a puzzle with grooves.
Cost – About $1.45 to $3.99 per square foot.
Design – Pick some variations in the laminate to make the pattern look more real.
Linoleum
Material – Linoleum can contain materials such as wood, cork resins, powder or pigments, which are then combined with linseed oil and put onto a jute backing. Customized linoleum will take 2-3 weeks to make.
Cost – Anywhere from $2 to $4 per square foot.
Design – Limitless color and pattern options.
Vinyl
Material – Resilient flooring that consists of printed vinyl with a protective top layer. Two types of vinyl are available — felt back and fiberglass.
Cost – 50 cents to $5 per square foot
Design – Any photo images can be placed in vinyl and it will just roll out without laying tile if it is fiberglass backed.
Hardwood
Material – Adding to a homes value, hardwood flooring can be made of many types of wood like oak or tigerwood.
Cost – Hardwood can be more expensive than others, anywhere from $2.30 to $10 per square foot.
Design – It is important to consider foot traffic that will wear down hardwood, but you can choose from many shades and grains to match your style.
Ceramic
Material – This tile can be a mixture of clay and minerals baked together.
Cost – Quality and additional features can up the price, but ceramic starts at about 75 cents.
Design – Options include anything from squares to a mosaic of shapes. Lots of colors and patterns are available.
