This guide gives you 11 types of flooring side by side, plus a comparison table, a room guide, and a resale section for clients. Homeowners sometimes turn to real estate agents for advice on home renovations, especially on large projects like flooring. If they know they will sell their homes in a few years, homeowners may want to ensure that their renovations will increase the resale value and make their homes more attractive to buyers.
As a local area expert, it’s up to you to guide your current and potential clients on design trends in your area. As an additional resource, feel free to bookmark this article and share it with your clients with questions about flooring. We’ll describe each of the most popular types of flooring materials and the pros and cons of each.
Table of Contents
- 11 Types of Flooring Materials to Consider for Your Home
- Flooring Types Compared: Cost, Lifespan, and Water Resistance
- How to Choose the Right Flooring for Each Room
- Which Flooring Adds the Most Resale Value?
- Flooring FAQs
- Helping Your Clients Choose With Confidence
Key Takeaways
- Match flooring to the room. Choose tile or vinyl for wet rooms and a thicker vinyl wear layer for heavy traffic and pets.
- Sanding limits differ. Most solid wood floors allow six to eight sandings (Miller, National Wood Flooring Association); engineered wood depends on wear-layer thickness.
- Refinishing has strong estimated returns. NAR’s 2022 report estimated 147% cost recovery for refinishing hardwood; its 2025 report gave new wood flooring a 9.1 Joy Score.
- Test older flooring before sanding. The EPA warns against sanding or leveling asbestos flooring, so have a trained, accredited professional inspect older floors before a remodel.
11 Types of Flooring Materials to Consider for Your Home
As we discuss each type of flooring material, it’s important to remember that the quality of the materials and installation significantly affect the return on investment. Get to know the best flooring installers in your area so you can share their contact information with homeowners.
Here’s a list of popular flooring options, with the pros and cons of each.
1. Hardwood Flooring
Classic and durable hardwood floors offer warmth and beauty. Various wood types can be used, including oak, maple, cherry, and walnut.
Hardwood floors are installed using a few different methods. Generally, the process involves preparing the subfloor, laying down the underlayment, placing the hardwood planks, nailing or gluing them, and finishing with sanding and sealing.
Hardwood Flooring Pros
Hardwood floors add warmth, elegance, and character to any room. Here are some additional benefits of hardwood floors:
- Come in a variety of colors and finishes
- Durable
- Long-lasting
- Can withstand heavy foot traffic
- Can increase the resale value of your home
- Easy to maintain
- Allergen free
- Can be refinished
Hardwood Flooring Cons
Hardwood floors aren’t great options for every family. Here are some of the drawbacks to hardwood flooring:
- Expensive compared to laminate or vinyl
- Susceptible to water damage
- Can be scratched or dented
- Noisy
Even though hardwood floors can be refinished, that process is time-consuming and costly and often requires homeowners to be absent for some time.
Most solid wood floors can be sanded six to eight times over their service life (Miller, National Wood Flooring Association).
2. Engineered Wood
Engineered wood flooring is a popular alternative to solid hardwood floors. It’s made by bonding several layers of wood, typically consisting of a thin top layer of hardwood veneer bonded to a core of plywood or high-density fiberboard.
Engineered wood floors are installed by preparing the subfloor, laying down the underlayment, clicking or gluing the boards, and finishing with sanding and sealing.
Engineered Wood Pros
It’s important to read product reviews when purchasing engineered wood flooring. Here are some of its benefits, especially in comparison to hardwood.
- More moisture resistant than hardwood
- Less prone to scratches and dents than hardwood
- Can be installed in a variety of environments, including kitchens and basements
- Easier to install than hardwood floors
- Attractive
- Less expensive than hardwood
- Hypoallergenic
Engineered Wood Cons
While engineered wood is less expensive than hardwood, it is still more costly than other flooring options like vinyl or laminate.
Here are some other drawbacks to engineered wood floors.
- Limited refinishing capabilities
- Shorter lifespan than solid wood floors
- Quality of material can vary by product
- Can be damaged if exposed to prolonged moisture or flooding
How often engineered wood can be sanded depends on wear-layer thickness, and sanding isn’t recommended below 3/32 inch (Miller, National Wood Flooring Association).
3. Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a synthetic product designed to mimic the look of natural materials like hardwood, tile, or stone. It’s constructed with several layers fused together through a lamination process.
Laminate floors are installed by preparing the subfloor, laying down the underlayment, clicking or gluing the planks, and finishing with trim installation.
Laminate Flooring Pros
Laminate flooring is a cost-effective option for homeowners who want to mimic the look of hardwood, tile, or stone, without the high price tag. Here are some other benefits of laminate flooring:
- Versatile designs
- Easily installed
- Affordable
- Resistant to scratches, stains, and fading
- Hypoallergenic
- Low maintenance
Laminate Flooring Cons
Like engineered wood, the quality of laminate flooring varies by manufacturer. Here are some drawbacks to laminate flooring.
- Cannot be refinished or repaired
- Susceptible to water damage
- Not as attractive as natural materials
- Sounds and feels different than natural materials
4. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is made from synthetic materials, primarily PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and additives like plasticizers, stabilizers, and pigments. The materials are pressed and heated to create vinyl sheets or tiles.
Vinyl flooring can be installed using different methods, including peel-and-stick, floating, or glue-down installation. Again, the quality of vinyl varies by manufacturer.
Vinyl comes in planks, sheets, or tiles, with luxury vinyl plank (LVP) styled like hardwood and vinyl tile styled like stone (The Home Depot).
Vinyl Flooring Pros
Vinyl flooring is often used in kitchens and bathrooms. Here are some advantages of vinyl floors:
- Durable
- Resistant to stains and water damage
- Affordable
- Easy to maintain
- Comfortable to walk on
- Variety of styles
Vinyl Flooring Cons
Vinyl flooring has several drawbacks, including the following:
- Prone to gouges, cuts, and tears if heavy objects are dragged across the surface
- Susceptible to fading
- Limited repair options
- Not as luxurious as natural materials
Hybrid Resilient Flooring
The Home Depot describes hybrid resilient flooring as low-maintenance, durable, and waterproof like vinyl, with the looks of hardwood or stone. It’s built in multiple layers, with a vinyl top layer that resists scratches and stains (The Home Depot). Products vary by brand, so have clients check each product’s specs before buying.
5. Tile Flooring
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are popular flooring options. Porcelain tiles are made of a more refined clay mixture and fired at higher temperatures than ceramic tiles, meaning that porcelain tiles are denser and less porous.
Tile floors are installed by preparing the subfloor, applying mortar or adhesive, laying the tiles, grouting the joints, and finishing with sealing and caulking.
Tile Flooring Pros
Tile for floors comes in a variety of shapes and styles. Here are some of the other benefits:
- Durable
- Water-resistant
- Easy maintenance
- Variety of styles
- Hypoallergenic
- Long-lasting
Tile Flooring Cons
There are some drawbacks to tile flooring.
- Not comfortable for extended periods of standing or walking
- Cold
- Requires skill to install
- Susceptible to cracking
- Requires grout maintenance
- High cost
- Slippery when wet
6. Stone Flooring
Many different materials can be used for “stone” flooring, including marble, granite, slate, travertine, limestone, sandstone, flagstone, and quartzite.
Stone flooring is installed by preparing the subfloor, applying mortar or adhesive, laying the stones, grouting the joints, and finishing with sealing and polishing.
Stone Flooring Pros
Stone flooring offers a timeless and natural aesthetic to any space. Here are some additional benefits:
- Durable
- Unique beauty
- Variety
- Longevity
- Low maintenance
- Have a natural cooling effect
Stone Flooring Cons
No flooring type is perfect, even those made with natural materials. Here are some drawbacks of stone flooring.
- Expensive to purchase and install
- Porous if not properly sealed
- Not comfortable for extended periods of standing or walking
- Slippery when wet
- Requires periodic maintenance
- Susceptible to scratching, chipping, or cracking
7. Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum flooring is made with natural materials, primarily linseed oil, wood flour, cork dust, and natural resins. The materials are mixed and pressed onto a backing like jute or canvas.
Linoleum is typically installed using a glue-down method, although some modern options may include click-together floating floors.
Linoleum Flooring Pros
Even though it is not considered a luxury material, linoleum floors have many benefits.
- Environmentally friendly
- Durable
- Water-resistant
- Comfortable for walking and standing
- Variety of colors and patterns
- Antimicrobial properties
- Easy to maintain
Linoleum Flooring Cons
Even though linoleum is known for being relatively durable, the material does have its drawbacks, including the following:
- Can be damaged by sharp objects, heavy furniture, and abrasive cleaning agents
- Prone to staining
- May require sealing
8. Carpet
Wall-to-wall carpeting has been a familiar feature in American homes for decades. Today, carpet remains a common choice for bedrooms and other low-moisture rooms.
Carpet is typically professionally installed. It involves preparing the subfloor, laying down padding, stretching and securing the carpet, trimming excess material, and finishing with edge trim.
Here are some pros and cons of this common household feature for you to consider.
Carpet Pros
Here are some of the benefits of carpet:
- Comfortable
- Provides warmth underfoot
- Noise reduction
- Soft
- Non-slip surface
- Versatile
- Cost-effective
Carpet Cons
There are some obvious drawbacks to carpeting. Here are a few:
- Stains are hard to remove
- Allergen retention
- Wear and tear
- Moisture retention
- Limited lifespan
9. Concrete Flooring
Concrete flooring has traditionally been associated with industrial and commercial settings. However, it’s also used as a residential flooring option. Homeowners can achieve a variety of effects with stained, stamped, and polished concrete.
Although installing concrete floors varies by the desired effect, the concrete is poured and leveled. After it cures, it is finished with polishing or sealing.
Concrete Flooring Pros
Although concrete doesn’t sound like a good flooring option for a home, modern concrete floors have many benefits.
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Versatile
- Energy efficient
- Long-lasting
Concrete Flooring Cons
Like tile and natural stone flooring, concrete is uncomfortable for prolonged standing or walking. Area rugs or floor mats may help alleviate this issue.
Here are some other drawbacks of concrete flooring for homes:
- Hardness
- Cold
- Labor-intensive installation
- Susceptible to cracking
- Cost
10. Cork Flooring
Cork flooring is made from the bark of cork oak trees. It’s often chosen as a sustainable and eco-friendly flooring option for homes because of its unique properties.
Cork flooring is typically manufactured as tiles or planks designed with an interlocking tongue and groove system.
Cork Flooring Pros
Here are some reasons homeowners choose cork flooring:
- Comfortable
- Has insulative properties
- Environmentally-friendly
- Durable
- Hypoallergenic
- Comes in a variety of styles
Cork Flooring Cons
Before you install cork flooring in your home, you must be aware of these drawbacks:
- Vulnerable to moisture
- Not durable
- Fades over time
- Requires regular maintenance and sealing
- More expensive than vinyl or laminate
11. Rubber Flooring
Although rubber flooring sounds like a perfect option for a playroom, it’s versatile for various residential areas. Rubber flooring is made from synthetic or natural rubber materials.
It can come in large rolls, installed with adhesive. Homeowners can also buy rubber tiles with interlocking edges.
Rubber Flooring Pros
Considering rubber flooring? Read reviews, and this list of benefits:
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Reduces noise
- Water-resistant
- Slip-resistant
- Low maintenance
- Eco-friendly
Rubber Flooring Cons
Rubber flooring has an impressive list of benefits. However, no flooring option is perfect. Here are some of the cons of rubber flooring.
- More expensive than vinyl or laminate
- Fewer design options than other types of flooring
- Vulnerable to staining from oil-based or acidic liquids
- Shows indentions from heavy items
Flooring Types Compared: Cost, Lifespan, and Water Resistance
The ranges below are Angi’s national average costs per square foot and typical lifespans (Angi). Local quotes vary by market, product, and the condition of the existing floor.
Installed cost and lifespan by flooring type (Angi, updated July 10, 2026). Moisture tolerance draws on Angi, The Home Depot, and the pros and cons above. | |||
Flooring Type | Typical Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. | Typical Lifespan | Moisture Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
Hardwood | $6–$25 | 30–100 years | Low |
Engineered wood | $4.50–$16 | 20–30 years | Moderate (waterproof-rated options exist) |
Laminate | $3–$13 | 10–30 years | Low unless rated waterproof |
Vinyl | $2–$14 | 10–25 years | High |
Tile | $15–$20 | 75–100 years | High |
Stone | $6–$20 | 50–100 years | Moderate (needs sealing) |
Linoleum | $3–$12 | 20–40 years | Moderate |
Carpet | $3.50–$11 | 5–15 years | Low |
Polished concrete | $2–$16 | 50–75 years | High when sealed |
Cork | $5–$19 | 20–40 years | Low |
Rubber | Not listed by Angi | Not listed | High |
Before your clients commit, have them confirm the manufacturer’s water rating for the exact product and get quotes from local installers. Tile pricing varies widely by material and size, so treat the tile row as a high-end estimate.
How to Choose the Right Flooring for Each Room
Start with five factors for each room: moisture, foot traffic and pets, comfort underfoot, budget, and how soon your client plans to sell. A floor that works in a bedroom can fail in a laundry room, so walk through the home space by space.
Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Laundry Rooms
Water resistance comes first in these rooms. The Home Depot calls tile perfect for high-moisture rooms and describes vinyl and hybrid resilient flooring as waterproof (The Home Depot). Hardwood and laminate are susceptible to water damage, so steer clients toward waterproof-rated products if they want a wood look here.
Basements
The Home Depot lists basements among the high-moisture rooms suited to tile, and vinyl is another waterproof option (The Home Depot). Engineered wood can also be installed in basements; look for a waterproof-rated product. Carpet retains moisture, which makes it a risky pick in a basement that has ever been damp.
Living Rooms and Bedrooms
Comfort and appearance matter more than water resistance in these rooms. Hardwood adds warmth and character, and engineered wood offers a similar look for less. Carpet is soft, warm underfoot, and reduces noise, which is why it suits bedrooms.
High-Traffic Areas and Homes With Pets
Scratches, dents, and wear are the main risks in hallways, entries, and homes with pets. Tile is durable, and The Home Depot advises choosing vinyl with a thicker wear layer for heavy traffic (The Home Depot). Hardwood can be scratched or dented, so it needs more upkeep in busy homes.
How to Guide Your Client’s Flooring Decision
- Walk each room with your client and note moisture, traffic, pets, and who uses the space.
- Set a budget range using the installed costs in the comparison table above.
- Ask about their timeline, and if they’ll sell soon, compare options with recent listings in your market.
- Have them read reviews of the specific brand and product, since quality varies by manufacturer.
- Share contact information for installers you trust, and suggest they get more than one quote.
Which Flooring Adds the Most Resale Value?
Refinishing existing hardwood is often the strongest flooring move before a sale, based on estimates from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). In 2022, NAR estimated refinishing hardwood floors recovered 147% of cost and new wood flooring 118% (National Association of REALTORS®, 2022 press release). NAR repeated those figures in March 2025: about $3,400 spent on refinishing and an estimated $5,000 recovered at resale (Tracey, REALTOR® News).
NAR’s 2025 Remodeling Impact Report published no flooring cost-recovery figure, but it gave new wood flooring a Joy Score of 9.1 out of 10. The Joy Score measures how happy homeowners are with a finished project. Surveyed REALTORS® most often recommended painting the entire home (50%), painting one interior room (41%), and new roofing (37%) before listing (National Association of REALTORS®, 2025 Remodeling Impact Report).
These figures are national estimates and don’t guarantee a higher sale price. Whether to replace floors depends on their condition and what local buyers expect for that style of home. Before your client commits, compare flooring with which pre-sale projects tend to pay off and what home staging costs.
Flooring FAQs
What Is the Best Type of Flooring for a House?
There’s no single best type of flooring for a house, because the right choice depends on the room. Tile, vinyl, and hybrid resilient flooring handle wet rooms (The Home Depot), while hardwood, engineered wood, and carpet suit living rooms and bedrooms. Budget, pets, and resale plans matter too, so use the room-by-room guide above to match each space.
What Is the Most Durable Type of Flooring?
Durability depends on how a room is used. Porcelain is fired at a higher temperature than ceramic, which makes it more durable and less porous (The Home Depot). In Angi’s table, tile, stone, and hardwood carry among the longest typical lifespans, each reaching up to 100 years (Angi). For homes with pets and heavy traffic, vinyl with a thicker wear layer is another option (The Home Depot).
What Is the Least Expensive Type of Flooring?
In Angi’s table, vinyl and polished concrete start at about $2 per square foot installed, with laminate at $3 and carpet at $3.50 (Angi). Those are starting points, and prices climb with product quality. Removing old flooring and preparing the subfloor add to the total, so have your client get local installer quotes before setting a budget.
Is Vinyl or Laminate Better?
Moisture usually decides it: vinyl resists stains and water damage, which makes it the safer pick for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Laminate is susceptible to water damage and can’t be refinished or repaired, but it resists scratches and fading and can mimic hardwood, tile, or stone. In dry rooms either can work, while wet rooms call for vinyl or a laminate rated waterproof.
What Is the Difference Between Vinyl and LVT?
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is one format of vinyl flooring, so the core pros and cons are the same. The Home Depot describes vinyl in planks, sheets, or tiles, with LVP styled like hardwood and vinyl tile styled like stone (The Home Depot). Your client’s choice comes down to the look they want and the installation method.
What Are the Downsides of Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl is prone to gouges, cuts, and tears when heavy objects are dragged across it, and it can fade over time. Repair options are limited, and it isn’t as luxurious as natural materials like hardwood or stone. Quality also varies by manufacturer, so have your client compare product reviews and wear-layer thickness before buying.
Can Old Flooring Contain Asbestos?
The EPA’s homeowner guidance specifically covers asbestos flooring and its backing, noting you generally can’t tell by looking whether a material contains asbestos. Before you remodel, have a trained, accredited professional inspect the floor. Leave undisturbed material in good condition alone, and don’t sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. When it needs replacing, cover over it if possible (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). This is general guidance, not legal or inspection advice.
Helping Your Clients Choose With Confidence
While there is no such thing as a perfect flooring option, a few come close. Remind your clients to consider the pros and cons of each type and their lifestyle when deciding the best choice for them. Also, encourage them to read reviews of specific brands, as the quality of some of these flooring options varies greatly depending on the manufacturer. Finally, if your client will be selling their home soon, advise them on the type of flooring that is popular in your area, and in their style of home.
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Sources
- The Home Depot. “Types of Flooring.” The Home Depot, 19 May 2025, https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/types-of-flooring/9ba683603be9fa5395fab903a8a5e90.
- Mickelson, Stephanie. “How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost? [2026 Data].” Angi, 10 July 2026, https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-should-my-new-floor-cost.htm.
- Miller, Brett. “How Many Times Can a Wood Floor Be Sanded?” Hardwood Floors Magazine, National Wood Flooring Association, 1 Apr. 2025, https://hardwoodfloorsmag.com/2025/04/01/how-many-times-can-a-wood-floor-be-sanded/.
- National Association of Realtors. “Remodeling: New Hardwood Floors and Home Offices Bring Most Joy.” GlobeNewswire, 6 Apr. 2022, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/04/06/2417735/0/en/remodeling-new-hardwood-floors-and-home-offices-bring-most-joy.html.
- National Association of REALTORS® Research Group. 2025 Remodeling Impact Report. National Association of REALTORS®, Apr. 2025, https://cms.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025-remodeling-impact-report_04-09-2025.pdf.
- Tracey, Melissa Dittmann. “Why Remodeling Homeowners Need a Real Estate Agent’s Guidance.” REALTOR® News, National Association of REALTORS®, 4 Mar. 2025, https://www.nar.realtor/news/real-estate-news/sales-marketing/why-remodeling-homeowners-need-a-real-estate-agents-guidance.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos.” US EPA, 25 June 2026, https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-exposures-asbestos.
