As you start thinking about designing your new home, you know that you need to find the perfect blend of style and functionality. This is especially true when it comes to your flooring. If you choose a type that’s not right for your family, it might show extensive wear and tear far sooner than you’d hoped, especially in high-traffic areas.
Our guide will help you learn the benefits of each type of flooring to help guide your decisions. You might even be surprised by what you learn.
Carpeting: Soft and Comfortable
Carpeting just feels nice underfoot, so most people choose to have this type of flooring in their bedrooms. Many also incorporate it into living rooms, though today’s open-concept living areas tend to work better with other types of flooring. What’s especially nice about carpeting is that it comes in a variety of colours and styles, so you can really personalize the look to fit your aesthetics.
Look for carpeting that’s dense; you don’t want to easily see the backing when you bend the carpet sample. Consider purchasing a stain resistant carpet if you’ll be putting it in an area like the 
living room. You can often save some money by upgrading the padding underneath rather than just the carpeting itself.
Hardwood: Sturdy and Timeless
Hardwood floors have always been a popular choice, so they’re often the first thing people think of when they want a classic, upscale look throughout the entire home. With proper care, wood floors will last a very long time. After all, many homes that are over 100 years old still have their original floors. Surprisingly, hardwood floors can easily show damage, though.
For instance, you might soon see scratches from kitchen chairs and little dings from kids dropping their toys or marks from pets. Hardwood floors are also susceptible to damage from water, so you need to quickly wipe up any spills. Those who have children or pets might be better off with a different material.
Take samples of the hardwood choices and try to scratch them with kids' toys or high heels. This will give you a good sense of the damage you might see. No matter which wood you choose for your floors, be sure to read the care instructions so you understand how to keep them clean and when you need to perform regular maintenance.
Laminate Flooring: Durable and Beautiful
If you like the look of hardwood but don’t want to worry about the damage, consider laminate flooring. Since the material is manufactured, you have a wider range of colour and style options available. This flooring type tends to be scratch and dent-resistant, and it is also water-resistant. It looks like hardwood, but it’s often more affordable.
Laminate is a good choice for an open-concept home because of its versatility. Choose a lighter coloured wood if you want to brighten the home up or something darker if you want to create a stylish feel.
Tile: Waterproof and Unique
Tile used to be common in bathrooms, but you don’t see it as much anymore. It’s a bit more expensive, but using tile can give your home a truly elegant look. Typically made from stone or ceramic, tile is usually waterproof, but it can crack if something heavy falls on it.
Stone tiles look great in the entryway. Some people like to use coloured or uniquely shaped tiles in the bathroom to create intricate patterns. Choose a quality grout to go in between the tiles, 
and be sure to clean your floors with the recommended cleaning products.
Vinyl: Versatile and Functional
Vinyl has long been a popular choice in bathrooms and kitchens because it’s waterproof. It also comes in plenty of designs, is affordable, and easy-to-install. Traditionally, the vinyl comes from a large roll and has to be cut precisely to match the shape of the room. More recently, though, people have been using vinyl planks. This style gives the floor the benefits of vinyl with the look of hardwood.
If you’re shopping for vinyl, pay attention to the wear layer. This is the uppermost layer that will eventually show the wear and tear on the floor. A thinner layer will require replacement sooner than a thick one.
Flooring is an element in your home that will bear the most "use," so it's important to think beyond look and make a choice that suits your family and lifestyle. While aesthetic preferences will give you the design you want right away, be sure to weigh all your options to ensure long-term durability to gain the most value for your dollar.
