Whether you’ve just moved in or are looking to refresh your living spaces, choosing the right flooring isn’t just about the style you prefer, but finding an option that suits your lifestyle too. With so many types available, selecting a material that can live up to your daily wear and tear, match your room and fit your budget is the first step.
To help you narrow down the choices, we’ve put together this expert guide on the main floor types so you can weigh up the pros and cons.
The most popular types of home flooring
When you start looking at flooring for your home, you’ll soon realise there’s more to it than choosing between carpet and hard floors. For a long time, many people chose carpet for its comfortable, homely feel. Softening spaces and giving a warm, soft feel underfoot, it was a particularly popular flooring choice for bedrooms and living rooms.
However, the practicality of hard floors, particularly in homes with pets and children, has recently increased their popularity. With a range of styles available, harder options can also withstand significant wear and are easy to clean and maintain. Plus, with the right product, underlay and installation, hard floors can also be comfortable and quiet under foot.
When it comes to hard floors, the four main types to consider are vinyl, LVT, laminate and real wood. There are lots of different styles, features and effects within these types, so understanding the pros and cons of each is essential to start narrowing down your options.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a synthetic layered material that is laid in planks using glue or click-together methods. The four layers are made up of:
- A backer layer which supports and protects the other materials from uneven or moist subfloors and stops the floor from bending or dipping
- A compressed core that’s typically made from high-density fibreboard (HDF) and resin to give the floor its durability
- A decorative layer which gives the laminate its overall look and includes a range of colours and effects (such as stone or wood)
- A top layer which is made of a protective overlay and stops any scratches or stains from damaging the floor
Available in a range of thicknesses (from 6mm to 12mm) to suit your floor space, laminate planks can also be laid in different orientations to create the effect of a real wood, stone or herringbone floor.
Pros
- It’s easy to clean and maintain, with regular mopping and sweeping (and an occasional deep clean) enough to keep the floor looking great
- It is an affordable option, particularly as it’s possible for homeowners to install laminate flooring themselves
- It is very durable and resistant to scratching and stains, making it ideal for areas of high traffic or where stains and spills are more likely
- It can create the effect of a stone or real wood floor without the high costs or tricky installation
Cons
- Some types of laminate aren’t waterproof, meaning they can bend or warp over time or when installed in areas like bathrooms
- Although cost-effective laminate is a great option for some, it isn’t seen as high value by new buyers compared to other flooring types
- If something does go wrong with a laminate floor, it can be difficult and expensive to repair, with a full replacement required in some cases
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is another type of layered synthetic flooring. However, unlike the fibreboard core used in laminate, vinyl is made entirely of polymers. It's made from at least four layers, which include:
- A foam base layer which protects the rest of the floor from moisture or unevenness
- A thick core which gives the flooring its name, this will vary in construction and softness depending on the particular type
- A print layer which gives the floor its visible effects and colour and may replicate a ceramic, stone or wood aesthetic
- A wear layer which is a transparent sealant and helps protect against water and wear
Vinyl flooring comes in a single sheet, so can be installed relatively easily using a similar method to what you would use for carpet.
Pros
- It’s very cost-effective, particularly if homeowners decide to install vinyl themselves (something which is straightforward to do)
- Easy cleaning and maintenance, with regular hoovering and mopping being enough to maintain its look and hygiene
- It's waterproof, making it suitable for installing in bathrooms or wet rooms
- It’s highly resistant to wear and tear, meaning you can use it for high traffic areas like hallways
- Available in a range of colours and effects, so you can style it easily to any room
Cons
- If there are any tears or damage to the floor, it will have to be completely replaced as it’s all in one piece
- Some types of vinyl are made using recycled materials, but most are constructed using polymers that come from fossil fuels, making it environmentally damaging to buy and dispose of
- With a soft foam base, it can sink or indent if any heavy furniture or other loads are placed on top of it
- Direct sunlight can quickly cause discolouration or faded patches in the floor
LVT Flooring
Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) flooring is an upgrade of standard vinyl flooring. Available as planks or tiles rather than a single roll, it otherwise has a similar layered construction as a vinyl floor. Although there are variations like stone plastic composite (SPC) and wood plastic composite (WPC) which have cores made from natural materials. Laid using click-together or glue-down methods, the separate pieces give the floor a realistic, high-quality finish.
Pros
- The premium look given by the separate tiles or planks adds resale value to a home
- It’s available in a range of effects or colours to match the overall look of your room
- It’s highly durable, with the water and scratch-resistant benefits of vinyl with the extra plus of individual, replaceable sheets
- It’s easy to care for and maintain, as you can follow the same cleaning routine as for vinyl floors
- It lasts for longer than a standard vinyl floor, with a lifespan of up to 30 years
Cons
- If the floor has been glued down, it can be difficult and expensive to replace or repair
- Like vinyl, it’s made mainly from polymers and therefore isn’t very sustainable
- It is more expensive to buy and install than vinyl
- It can also discolour or become dented if exposed to sunlight or placed under heavy loads
Real Wood Flooring
One of the most stylish flooring options, real wood adds a natural, beautiful finish to any room. With a range of woods and stain types available, planks can also be laid to create a variety of effects such as herringbone or staggered. Typically, real wood can be installed using glue, nails or click-together methods.
It’s also possible to get wide planks, lacquered, brushed or oiled options to create a different look. Plus, engineered wood made from a mix of cost-effective real woods mean homeowners can get a premium look without the huge investment.
Pros
- One of the best looking hard floors, real wood adds a beautiful look and huge value to a home when it’s installed
- Naturally durable, real wood floors will last for a long time with minimal maintenance
Cons
- One of the pricier flooring options, real wood will also need refinishing at least every decade (this involves sanding and treating the wood), which will be a significant outlay
- There may be natural faults in the wood, plus scratches and scuffs can start to build up over time, particularly in high traffic areas or if you have pets
- Real wood can shift or warm when moisture levels or temperatures change, this makes it unsuitable for some rooms and can result in damage that’s costly to repair
- When people move across a wood floor, it can be very noisy and echo around a house
Carpet
Soft, cosy and great for keeping in heat and absorbing sound, carpets are great for adding a homely touch to any room. A huge range of man-made and natural fibres, colours and textures are available to suit the style and needs of particular living spaces. Easy to install and available at a range of price points, homeowners love it for the warmth and comfort it brings to rooms.
Pros
- It’s comfortable underfoot, absorbs heat and sound and helps to soften the look of rooms
- Dense, man-made carpets are hard-wearing and resistant to some moisture and stains
- It’s easy to install, with options that suit any homeowner’s budget
- There are styles and colours to suit any room or preference
Cons
- Even the most durable options won’t last as long as hard floors, particularly in high traffic areas
- Fibres aren’t as easy to clean and maintain as hard surfaces as they catch dirt and debris. This means regular hoovering and deep cleaning will be needed, especially in areas like bathrooms and kitchens
- It’ll need to be replaced every five to 15 years depending on the level of wear and carpet quality
What is the most durable flooring?
Natural materials such as wood and stone are highly durable. This makes real wood and types of LVT flooring, such as SPC and WPC, the most wear-resistant choices. Waterproof and heavy-duty LVT is also great for installing in areas of your home where there’s lots of wear and tear or the risk of moisture and spills. If you want a softer look, dense piled carpet is also a good option.
Which flooring is the easiest to clean?
Generally, hard floors are easier to clean than carpets as there are no fibres that cling to dust or dirt. However, you have to be careful about the type of cleaning regime you use on certain types of hard floors. For example, hoovering can scratch real wood or tear vinyl, while mopping with too much water or strong cleaners can warp laminate. Follow the specific care tips for your floor and check if cleaning products are suitable before using.
Find your ideal floor with Factory Direct Flooring
Our experts can help you find the best flooring option to suit your room’s style and your household’s lifestyle. Whether you want the stunning finish of real wood or good-looking, easy-to-lay vinyl, get in touch to discover which product in our range would best fit your needs.