Laminate flooring is made to look like real wood, but is in fact made of a mix of wood compounds and melamine resin. The main advantage of laminate is that you get the same look and feelof hardwood floors with much lower cost and much less maintenance. Even though laminates are cheaper, there is still a wide range in their prices because there are several manufacturing technologies that produce them. Each one differs in quality, durability, and installation techniques.

Some types of laminate are stain resistant and scratch proof. Other do not have these qualities but still offer an authentic look and feel. You can get laminate flooring in all types of colors and styles. There is even a bamboo
laminate option that is a less expensive alternative to real bamboo hardwood floors.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring differs from laminate because it is made from real wood, not a mix of different materials. There are several types of hardwoods that you can choose from that include solid wood, engineered wood, acrylic wood floor, prefinished hardwood floor, and unfinished hardwoods.

Solid wood is very durable and takes a bit more effort to get installed. Engineered wood is made from different layers of superior and inferior woods. It is known for being able to survive exposure to humidity, high temperatures, and lots of moisture. Acrylic hardwoods have a protective layer on top of that helps prevent it from getting scratched. Prefinished hardwoods come ready to install right out of the package and do not require much prepping beforehand. Unfinished hardwoods are the raw materials that are not sanded, buffered, coated, etc. They require a lot of extra work before installation.

Hardwood floors also come in lots of different colors and styles that include vinyl and oak.

Linoleum

Linoleum flooring has been around for decades. It is known for its soft finish that is easy on the feet and comes in a huge array of patterns and styles. It is made from linseed oil as well as wood flour. The design pattern of it is imprinted all the way through the flooring, so it does not get easily scraped. It is cost efficient, tolerant to water and moisture, and very durable. Good quality linoleum can last for several decades. Even though it is not as common as it used to be, there is still a huge market for people who choose this for their kitchen flooring and sometimes other areas of their homes as well.

Tiles

Tile flooring has traditionally been preferred mainly for bathrooms and kitchens. Ceramic tiles are very versatile and are very resistant to moisture and extreme temperatures. It is uncommon for people to use ceramic or rubber tiles all over their house because of cost reasons. They are fairly easy to maintain but do require that occasionally clean them with a detergent solution to prevent the build up of mold and mildew.

Where to Buy

The best places to get flooring are home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot. These stores offer a huge selection, knowledgable staff, and a wide range of prices. You an get cheap or premium priced flooring and still have tons of choices. There are also lots of independent stores that have their own selection.

Installation

Depending on what type of floor you get, installing it can be pretty straightforward or it can be much more complicated. For example, tile is pretty easy to install but can be very tedious and messy. You can usually install laminate and glueless laminate flooring in a weekend once you understand the process. If you do not know how to install your flooring already, then it is recommended to hire someone to do it for you or at least show you how to get started.

The rest of this website will provide a variety of articles on different types of flooring available to you. Have a look around and enjoy!