How to Choose the Right Type of Flooring

There are two types of hardwood floors: solid hardwood floors or engineered hardwood floors. Solid hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of solid wood, while engineered hardwood flooring is made of a composite of wood and resin with a wood surface.

Here are some key advantages to solid hardwood flooring.

• Wood flooring can be sanded and refinished more than once to give them new life.
• It's one of the most desirable types of flooring and can help boost your home’s resale value.
• Wood floors are hypoallergenic and easy to clean.
• Hardwood flooring comes in a variety of colors and finishes to suit your home’s style. Oak, maple, hickory, walnut and more tree species are used for solid hardwood flooring.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

• Wood floors are typically more expensive than other types of flooring.
• Unless you're an experienced DIYer, this installation job is best left to the pros.
• Solid wood flooring is very durable, but in a home with kids and pets, scratches or deep lines are bound to happen. You'll need to refinish your wood floors every ten years to keep them in the best condition possible.

More Info
Choose the best hardwood flooring for your home.
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Learn how to install hardwood floors.

Engineered hardwood is the best option if you love the look of solid hardwood flooring, but you need more durability.

Here are some key advantages to engineered flooring.

• Engineered hardwood flooring can be less expensive than solid hardwood.
• Depending on the finish, it gives the look of wood flooring with more protection from heat, moisture, scuffs and scratches.
• It's easier to DIY install than solid wood flooring.
• Engineered hardwood flooring can be used with radiant heat or installed over a concrete slab.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

• Due to thin top wood layer, engineered wood flooring can't be refinished multiple times, like solid hardwoods.
• Look for flooring made with low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
• Engineered wood floors can fade in the sun.

More Info
Learn the differences between engineered wood and solid hardwoods.
Find out how to install engineered hardwood flooring.
Check out these flooring ideas for your home.

Laminate wood flooring has multiple layers and mimics the look of wood.

Here are some key advantages to laminate flooring.

• Laminate flooring is scratch-resistant and durable.
• It’s quick and easy for DIYers to install with click-together installation.
• Laminate wood flooring typically costs less than solid hardwood flooring.
• Laminate flooring is low maintenance, easy to clean and stain-resistant.
• It can be installed over most existing floors.
• Laminate wooden flooring is resistant to fading from UV light.
• Laminate wood floors at Lowe’s are readily available, so you can complete a DIY project fast without placing a special order.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

• From a resale standpoint, laminate wood flooring is considered less desirable than solid hardwood or engineered floors.
• Most laminate is waterproof now, but check carefully to ensure that it is. If it's not waterproof, laminate can buckle when exposed to excess moisture.
• The texture and pattern of laminate wooden flooring have gotten better, but it's still not comparable to the real wood, stone or ceramic surfaces it’s trying to mimic.

More Info
Learn how to prep a subfloor for hardwood or laminate flooring.
Find out how to install a laminate floor.
Select the best laminate flooring for your home.

Available in tile or planks, these top-of-the-line vinyl flooring options mimic the look of natural materials like wood.

Here are some key advantages to luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile.

• Vinyl flooring is affordable.
• It's available in a variety of colors with realistic patterns and textures.
• Luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile are easy to clean, stain- and water-resistant.
  
• It can be waterproof, so it’s great for any room, including basements, bathrooms and kitchens. It can even be used in an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit).
• LVP flooring is durable, making it an ideal choice for homes with pets or kids.
• Luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile are installable over most floors.
• Luxury vinyl is available in sheet vinyl that’s pre-cut or cut to length.
• Luxury vinyl tile flooring is available in peel-and-stick or click-to-lock formats.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

• Some luxury vinyl plank flooring is challenging to repair. Once the adhesive is applied, it can be difficult to remove and any new sections look obvious. It's easier to remove and repair luxury vinyl tile.
• If you’re considering resale value, vinyl flooring isn't considered as desirable as hardwoods.
• Look for vinyl flooring made with low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
• Peel-and-stick LVT flooring isn’t as durable.

More Info
Compare the benefits of LVT and LVP flooring.
Use our vinyl flooring calculator to determine how much you'll need.
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Tile is a durable and classic choice that can add color and pattern.

Here are some key advantages to ceramic, porcelain or stone tile.

• Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile is waterproof, so it can be used in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
• Tile requires little maintenance.
• Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile offer consistent color throughout the tile, not just on the surface.
• It’s relatively easy to repair tile flooring by replacing damaged tiles instead of the entire floor.
• Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile can be installed outdoors on patios, around pools and in direct sunlight.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

• If something heavy is dropped on it, it can crack. Some tile types are more susceptible to stains.
• Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile can be expensive depending on the square footage of the room and if you need a professional to install it.
• Think about the climate when choosing tile. Tile offers a cool feel in a warmer climate. You can also opt to use radiant heat with tile.
• Unlike carpet, tile doesn’t muffle sound.

More Info
Choose the best tile flooring for your home.
Determine how much tile you'll need for your project.
Learn how to replace a cracked tile.

If you're looking for softness underfoot, you can't go wrong with carpet.

Here are some key advantages to carpet.

• Carpet absorbs sound, so it's a quieter option than tile or hardwood flooring.
• It feels comfortable on bare feet and works well in bedrooms.
• Carpet offers design flexibility thanks to the many colors, styles and pile heights.
• Carpet is affordable.
• It covers uneven subfloors and adjusts to uneven walls easily.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

• Professional installation is recommended.
• Carpet holds on to odors and stains, so it can be a challenge with pets and children. Look for stain-resistant and pet-friendly carpet.
• Carpet pulls can also occur if you have pets that like to dig.

More Info
Select the best carpet for your home.
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Think About the Location

• Consider the location of your new floor. Is it below, on or above grade? Basements are susceptible to moisture, so your flooring choice may be different from what you’d choose for a bedroom on a higher floor.
• Kitchen and bathroom flooring is also prone to water damage, which should be a key factor in your decision-making process.
• Will any of the rooms have radiant heat? Some flooring, such as solid hardwoods, certain vinyl and plush carpets aren’t radiant-heat compatible.

Consider Light
Be sure to observe the space throughout the day. Does it get a lot of direct sun? UV light can fade or darken certain flooring, so look for UV-resistant products.

Time to Measure

• Take detailed measurements and create a drawing including doorways, fireplaces, built-ins or other structures that change the floor’s flow.
• To calculate your room’s square footage, multiply length by width. If you have an irregularly shaped room, divide the area into smaller sections. Calculate the square footage of each one and then add them up to get the room’s total square footage. Use our flooring calculators.

Purchase Extra Flooring
Always purchase 10% more flooring than you calculate you’ll need. This allows for mistakes. Plus, having extra flooring on hand is great for future repairs. Store the extra flooring under a bed or in a closet where fluctuating temperatures and moisture won’t be an issue.

Moulding & Transitions
Whichever flooring options you choose, you'll also need coordinating moulding, transitions and accessories to complete your project. Look for quarter rounds, T-moulding, thresholds, reducers, wall base, four-in-one moulding and underlayment.

Adding new flooring is one of the most impactful upgrades a homeowner can make. It’s the foundation of every room and lays the groundwork for the room’s design, functionality and overall feel of the space.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect flooring for your home, it’s time to get it installed. While it can be a do-it-yourself (DIY) project, installing different types of flooring can be complex.

If you don’t have the time or the expertise to do this project yourself, our professional installation service can handle everything from measuring to installation. It starts with a free consultation. Fill out the form online or stop by your local Lowe’s and speak with a Red Vest associate that'll help you get started.