What you need to know to make the right flooring choices for your home.

Carpet
Warm and soft underfoot, carpet comes in a wide variety of colors, textures and patterns. Always an elegant solution, carpet can be formal, casual or in between, making it adaptable to every room. It is constructed of two layers – the yarn on top (called the surface face pile) and the backing that holds the fibers together. Most fibers are nylon, olefin, polyester or wool; and they vary in wear, stain and cleanability. The quality of padding installed beneath carpet also affects its wear. Available in a broad price range, carpet is a good fit for any budget.

Vinyl
Easy to maintain and ideal for moisture-prone areas, vinyl has long been a staple floor material for bathrooms and kitchens. Vinyl is easy on the legs – another benefit for rooms like kitchens or laundry nooks where you may be standing for prolonged periods of time. Because vinyl is offered in a wide range of textures, patterns and colors, it runs the fashion gamut, reinforcing classic looks or adding an up-to-the-minute splash of color and fun.

Tile & Stone
For and elegant and natural look in high-traffic areas, it’s hard to beat ceramic or porcelain tile. Available glazed or unglazed, tile is a good choice for moisture-prone areas like entryways, kitchens or baths. Extremely durable and simple to maintain, tile complements other floor types such as carpet, hardwood or laminate. Another option is natural stone, which comes in several forms and varies in look, usage and durability.

Laminate
Mimicking the look of real wood, tile or stone, laminates are very easy to clean and never require sanding or refinishing. Laminates have a sandwich-like four-layer construction consisting of a wear layer on top, followed by a decorative sheet that contains the printed image, then a rigid core – usually fiberboard – and finally a bottom balancing layer that prevents warping. Because it is so versatile and durable, laminate makes a great “whole house solution.”

Wood
A classic flooring material adaptable to any look from wildly contemporary to formal, wood can work well in any room, though it’s not a first choice for baths or laundry rooms. Wood floors are available in solid one-piece boards or in the form of engineered wood. Engineered flooring consists of a hardwood veneer top-layer laminated to lower layers of softwood backing that inhibit warping. Wood can be refinished and restained, giving it enduring value in the home.

Area Rugs
In the same way that a bright or subtle scarf can accent your wardrobe, area rugs are the accessories of floor coverings. They can add a fashion touch, help pull together a room’s furnishings or decrease the noise and wear and tear from foot traffic. Area rugs are offered in every imaginable color and pattern and in a wide range of prices. They also introduce warmth and softness to rooms with such hard flooring surfaces as tile or hardwood.