KITCHENS & BATHS

Type

Pros

Cons

Material Cost
$/sq.ft.

VINYL

Good looks, easy care, wide variety textures/colors, water-resistant in sheet form, soft underfoot in many instances, can imitate more expensive floor coverings.

Less expensive grades may discolor with age and susceptible to nicks and dents; can look artificial, nonabrasive cleaners only

$1 to $5

LINOLEUM

Natural ingredients like linseed oil, cork, tree resins, color goes all the way through

Relatively expensive, professional installation only, needs sealer, do not leave wet.

Approx. $4

CORK

Soft underfoot, spongy natural/durable, warm to the touch, resists mildew, does not absorb water.

Depends on type of finish, usually treated like wood, waxed cork needs occasional rewaxing and buffing; not for heavy traffic.

$5+

CERAMIC

Style/color range porcelain is particularly tough; glazed is minimal maintenance.

No resilience, noisy, unglazed tiles require periodic sealing; not all tiles are suitable for flooring; hard and cold to the touch; grout should be sealed periodically. Joints can leak to subfloor.

$1 to $6

NATURAL STONE

Natural material; earthy look, wide variety of textures.

Some stone types require sealer, others require impregnation; avoid polished stone for safety.

$3 to $10+

CONCRETE

Can be textured, colored, mimic tile, works well with radiant heat systems and passive solar designs; easily cleaned.

Frequent sealer to avoid wear pattern.

Varies

WOOD

Engineered wood, 3 to 5 layers, grain alternates; it expands/contracts less than solid wood as humidity changes. Polyurethane finish resists moisture. Factory finishes: ceramic and aluminum oxides; acrylic impregnated - all resist moisture

Wipe up spills promptly; never wet mop; softwoods less durable than hardwood counterparts

$4 to $10

LAMINATE

Can imitate a wide variety of other types of flooring (ie: wood, tile and stone), easily installed; extremely durable and stain resistant

Sound may appear unreal

$2 to $7

Any of these surfaces would also be appropriate in an entryway.  As a design element, more costly materials in a relatively small space can make a dramatic statement with minimal investment.

LIVING ROOMS

Type

Pros

Cons

Material Cost $/sq.ft.

CARPET

Soft underfoot; wide variety range and styles/colors/textures; noise absorbing; can be easily replaced.

Regular cleaning, may require restretching.

$1 to $5

WOOD

Various species, types, patterns and styles; rich appearance; simple installation; mixes with any period style.

Requires regular maintenance; noisy

$4 to $10

WOOL

Deep, warm, rich look; excellent resiliency and abrasion resistance; has a warm and natural feel.

Excellent durability; flame-resistant; crush-resistant; dyes well in a wide range of colors.

Can be damaged by alkaline detergents; needs moth-proofing; not best medium or bright colors.

Resists soil; not cleaned as easily as many synthetic fibers.  Expensive.

ACRYLIC

Closest to wool of the manmade fibers; nonallergenic; resists mildew, moths, and insects; comes in a range of colors.

Crush-resistant; springy; fade-resistant; generates minimal static.

May form pills, or beadlike balls of fiber, on face of the carpet; not as resilient or wear- and stain-resistant as wool or nylon.

Cleans very well; smooth fibers resist soil.  Moderate price.

NYLON

Wide choice of colors; excellent color retention; soft and resilient.

Strongest synthetic fiber; resists abrasion, mildew, moths; nonallergenic; continuous filament fibers minimize pilling, shedding.

Static-prone, unless treated; cut-filament loop carpet may pill.

Good cleanability; stain-resistant treatments make nylon easy to keep clean.  Moderate price.

POLYESTER

Similar to wool in look, touch; good color and texture selection, and color retention; resists moths, mildew; nonallergenic.

Very durable, resilient; abrasion-resistant; sheds moisture; available in a wide range of colors.

Does not wear as well as wool or nylon; some pilling and shedding; susceptible to oil-based stains.

Good cleanability, enhanced by stain-resistant treatments; sheds moisture; static-resistant. Less expensive than nylon or wool carpet.

OLEFIN

Primarily loop and randomly sheared textures; nonabsorbent; resists abrasion, pilling, shedding.

Fibers can withstand moisture; use indoors or outdoors; very durable in level-loop styles.

Lower grades may crush and flatten.

Excellent cleanability, especially with stain-resistant treatments; resists static, acids, chemicals.  Moderate price.