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FLOOR COVERING BY ROOM
Below is a general pros, cons and cost list of specific flooring types.
See Flooring America's calculator to estimate how much flooring you will need.
KITCHENS & BATHS
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Type
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Pros
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Cons
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Material Cost
$/sq.ft.
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VINYL
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Good looks, easy care, wide variety textures/colors, water-resistant
in sheet form, soft underfoot in many instances, can imitate more expensive floor coverings.
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Less expensive grades may discolor with age and susceptible
to nicks and dents; can look artificial, nonabrasive cleaners only
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$1 to $5
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LINOLEUM
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Natural ingredients like linseed oil, cork, tree resins, color goes all the way through
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Relatively expensive, professional installation only,
needs sealer, do not leave wet.
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Approx. $4
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CORK
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Soft underfoot, spongy natural/durable, warm to the
touch, resists mildew, does not absorb water.
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Depends on type of finish, usually treated like wood,
waxed cork needs occasional rewaxing and buffing; not for heavy traffic.
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$5+
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CERAMIC
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Style/color range porcelain is particularly tough; glazed
is minimal maintenance.
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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.
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$1 to $6
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NATURAL STONE
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Natural material; earthy look, wide variety of textures.
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Some stone types require sealer, others require impregnation;
avoid polished stone for safety.
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$3 to $10+
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CONCRETE
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Can be textured, colored, mimic tile, works well with
radiant heat systems and passive solar designs; easily cleaned.
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Frequent sealer to avoid wear pattern.
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Varies
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WOOD
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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
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Wipe up spills promptly; never wet mop; softwoods less
durable than hardwood counterparts
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$4 to $10
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LAMINATE
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Can imitate a wide variety of other types of flooring
(ie: wood, tile and stone), easily installed; extremely durable and stain resistant
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Sound may appear unreal
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$2 to $7
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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.
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LIVING ROOMS
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Type
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Pros
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Cons
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Material Cost $/sq.ft.
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CARPET
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Soft underfoot; wide variety range and styles/colors/textures;
noise absorbing; can be easily replaced.
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Regular cleaning, may require restretching.
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$1 to $5
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WOOD
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Various species, types, patterns and styles; rich appearance;
simple installation; mixes with any period style.
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Requires regular maintenance; noisy
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$4 to $10
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See all other hard surfaces listed previously.
BEDROOMS
CARPET (WALL-TO-WALL) • RUGS on HARD SURFACES |
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Type
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Characteristics
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Care/Cost
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WOOL
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Deep, warm, rich look; excellent resiliency and abrasion
resistance; has a warm and natural feel.
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Excellent durability; flame-resistant; crush-resistant;
dyes well in a wide range of colors.
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Can be damaged by alkaline detergents; needs moth-proofing;
not best medium or bright colors.
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Resists soil; not cleaned as easily as many synthetic
fibers. Expensive.
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ACRYLIC
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Closest to wool of the manmade fibers; nonallergenic;
resists mildew, moths, and insects; comes in a range of colors.
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Crush-resistant; springy; fade-resistant; generates minimal
static.
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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.
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Cleans very well; smooth fibers resist soil. Moderate
price.
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NYLON
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Wide choice of colors; excellent color retention; soft
and resilient.
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Strongest synthetic fiber; resists abrasion, mildew, moths;
nonallergenic; continuous filament fibers minimize pilling, shedding.
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Static-prone, unless treated; cut-filament loop carpet
may pill.
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Good cleanability; stain-resistant treatments make nylon
easy to keep clean. Moderate price.
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POLYESTER
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Similar to wool in look, touch; good color and texture
selection, and color retention; resists moths, mildew; nonallergenic.
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Very durable, resilient; abrasion-resistant; sheds moisture;
available in a wide range of colors.
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Does not wear as well as wool or nylon; some pilling and
shedding; susceptible to oil-based stains.
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Good cleanability, enhanced by stain-resistant treatments;
sheds moisture; static-resistant. Less expensive than nylon or wool carpet.
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OLEFIN
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Primarily loop and randomly sheared textures; nonabsorbent;
resists abrasion, pilling, shedding.
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Fibers can withstand moisture; use indoors or outdoors;
very durable in level-loop styles.
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Lower grades may crush and flatten.
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Excellent cleanability, especially with stain-resistant
treatments; resists static, acids, chemicals. Moderate price.
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