When remodeling or building your home, choosing the right flooring may be one of the most important decisions you make. From carpet to concrete, there are many factors to consider before selecting your flooring. To help you whittle down the facts and determine the best flooring for your family, Central Construction Group — Central Indianapolis’ premier remodeling and construction company — examined the most popular flooring options based on 7 different criteria. See how the different flooring options stack up against the competition.
Hardwood: Timeless and Durable Flooring
Hardwood flooring comes in various species, hardness, shades, sizes/widths and finishes.
1. Budget: $6 to $15 per square foot, installed (Note: While new hardwood flooring can be pricey, refinishing existing hardwood floors is extremely cost effective at $2 to $5 per square foot.)
2. Room(s): Hardwoods are great for shared living spaces and bedrooms, but don’t always fare well in areas with high moisture or humidity – such as bathrooms and kitchens.
3. Wear & Tear: Known to age gracefully and withstand heavy traffic areas, but may need occasional refinishing to reclaim shine. Keep pet nails trimmed to avoid heavy scratching.
4. Style & Décor: Goes well with any style — from traditional to industrial and contemporary.
5. Comfort: Cool underfoot
6. Climate: Not ideal for excessively humid or dry environments, though dehumidifiers and humidifiers can prevent issues of swelling or drying flooring.
7. Health Factors: Great for those who suffer from allergies
Laminate: Inexpensive, tough and easy-to-clean flooring
The chameleon of the flooring world, laminate, is constructed of dense fiberboard, and a photo beneath a clear protective layer of plastic.
1. Budget: $3 to $7 per square foot, installed
2. Room(s): Laminate works well in most areas of the home but is not designed for excessively damp conditions such as a bathroom.
3. Wear & Tear: Known for taking a beating, but must be replaced after the top layer has worn through.
4. Style & Décor: Fits all styles and can be made to mimic most any other flooring texture, color, finish and shape — including wood, tile or stone.
5. Comfort: Feels soft underfoot
6. Climate: Excessive damp and humidity may cause panels to swell and require replacement. As a result, wet mopping should be kept to a minimum.
7. Health Factors: Great for those who suffer from allergies
Ceramic Tile: Durable and elegant flooring
Ceramic tile flooring, which is water resistant and can stand up to years of abuse, comes in every color, shape, and size imaginable — and can be installed in virtually any pattern.
1. Budget: $4 to $12 per square foot, installed
2. Room(s): Works well in any room of the house, but may be better suited for high traffic areas, entries, bathrooms, and kitchens.
3. Wear & Tear: Tough tile holds up to almost everything, but tiles can crack if heavy or sharp objects are dropped upon them.
4. Style & Décor: From rustic to modern, tile fits all styles.
5. Comfort: Cool to the touch.
6. Climate: Ideal for any climate.
7. Health Factors: Great for those who suffer from allergies.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT): Versatile and Inexpensive Flooring
LVT comes in various textures and finishes that resemble hardwood, tile, stone and even leather.
1. Budget: $5 to $7 per square foot, installed
2. Room(s): Can be installed anywhere (some varieties can’t be installed on stairs). Works wonders for high-traffic areas such as entryways, laundry rooms, playrooms, and kitchens.
3. Wear & Tear: Holds up well to messes, and even stands up to pets’ nails
4. Style & Décor: Comes in various levels of gloss with many textures and finishes — so fits nicely with any décor.
5. Comfort: Feels soft to the touch and warm underfoot.
6. Climate: Works well in most climates, but best in lower to mid humidity.
7. Health Factors: Great for those who suffer from allergies.
Bamboo: Earth-friendly and sturdy flooring
Bamboo is a grass, so it grows much faster than a tree — making this flooring a darling of environmental-savvy homeowners. It’s comes in various shades or stains, as well as plank sizes.
1. Budget: $4 to $8 per square foot, installed
2. Room(s): Great for all rooms of the house, but not ideal for any room where there may be standing water – such as a laundry room or children’s bathroom.
3. Wear & Tear: Holds up nicely to pet nails and heavy traffic.
4. Style & Décor: Works well with all styles and décor.
5. Comfort: Feels cool to the touch and hard underfoot.
6. Climate: Bamboo grows in the tropics, so can withstand higher humidity. It doesn’t swell and contract like hardwood.
7. Health Factors: Great for those who suffer from allergies.
Cork: Green and Clean Flooring
Cork flooring is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. It also acts as a natural insulator, which means it muffles sounds and even lowers energy bills. It can be left natural, stained or painted and comes in a variety of sizes.
1. Budget: $4 to $9 per square foot, installed
2. Room(s): Works in most rooms, but not ideal for wet areas like bathrooms or laundry rooms.
3. Wear & Tear: Scratches easily, so must be kept clean. Can be refinished when sighs of wear begin to appear.
4. Style & Décor: Sleek and contemporary to traditional.
5. Comfort: Warm and soft underfoot.
6. Climate: Like wood, cork (made from tree bark) swells and contracts with humidity changes.
7. Health Factors: Great for those who suffer from allergies
Carpet: Cozy and Practical Flooring
Carpet flooring comes in so many different options — from a high-pile shag to cut and loop pile, various fiber choices and virtually every color under the sun. It’s also a fantastic insulator and helps lower energy bills.
1. Budget: $2 to $15 per square foot, installed
2. Room(s): Works in most rooms, but not recommended for rooms with moisture or high likelihood of staining, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
3. Wear & Tear: Damaged by high traffic, snags and stains, so consider stain treated and durable varieties. Requires regular vacuuming and an occasional deep clean.
4. Style & Décor: The endless amount of options lend carpet to all styles and décor.
5. Comfort: Warm and soft underfoot.
6. Climate: Carpet works in all climates, but excessive humidity may pose a problem.
7. Health Factors: While the fibers may trap allergens and prevent from circulating in the air, allergy sufferers may prefer other flooring options.
Still not sure which flooring option is best for you? Before deciding, contact Central Construction Group, Inc. 317-213-6246, or email brian@ccg-indy.com, and hit the ground running!
