The type of flooring you choose shapes how a room feels, sounds, and survives daily life.
Luxury vinyl plank covers the widest range of rooms, solid hardwood carries the most resale weight, and tile takes the crown in wet spaces.
Ultimately, it comes down to your specific room, budget, and how your household uses the space.
8 Best Flooring Types: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Flooring Type | Avg. Installed Cost | Water Resistance | DIY Friendly |
| Solid Hardwood | $6–$25/sq ft | Low | No |
| Engineered Wood | $7–$20/sq ft | Moderate | Moderate |
| Laminate | $3–$11/sq ft | Low to Moderate | Yes |
| Luxury Vinyl Plank | $4–$12/sq ft | Completely Waterproof | Yes |
| Ceramic / Porcelain Tile | $7–$20/sq ft | Completely Waterproof | Moderate |
| Carpet | $2–$8/sq ft | Low | No |
| Concrete | $3–$15/sq ft | High (when sealed) | No |
| Linoleum | $3–$11/sq ft | Good | Moderate |
These are national averages. Actual costs vary with subfloor condition, region, material grade, and whether demo and prep are included.
1. Solid Hardwood
Cut directly from a single piece of wood, solid hardwood is milled in standard thicknesses that allow for repeated sanding and refinishing over decades.
It works best in living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas, and requires a wood subfloor, meaning it can’t be installed below grade.
Pros:
- Refinishable up to 10 times over its lifespan, so surface wear doesn’t end its useful life
- Strong resale ROI, with the NAR 2022 Remodeling Impact Report finding that new hardwood installation returns 118% of project cost at resale
Cons:
- Sensitive to humidity and moisture, which rules out bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements
- Shows scratches from pets and heavy furniture more readily than synthetic options
Pricing: $6–$25 per sq ft installed, with most standard projects landing $10–$16
2. Engineered Wood
A genuine wood veneer bonded over layered plywood gives engineered wood the look of solid hardwood while offering better resistance to humidity and temperature fluctuations.
Unlike solid hardwood, it can be installed over a concrete subfloor and is suitable for above-grade moisture-prone rooms, though not for areas with standing water.
Pros:
- More dimensionally stable than solid wood across seasons with high humidity
- Same visual range as solid hardwood, including wide-plank formats and natural species
Cons:
- Thinner veneer limits refinishing to one or two passes depending on product thickness
- Budget versions can feel hollow underfoot if the subfloor isn’t level
Pricing: $7–$20 per sq ft installed
3. Laminate Flooring
Laminate uses a high-density fiberboard core with a photographic wood or stone layer sealed under a protective top coat. It has come a long way in terms of appearance and scratch resistance.
However, despite what some manufacturers claim, standard laminate is not waterproof, and its HDF core will swell with prolonged exposure to moisture.
Pros:
- Scratch-resistant surface holds up well in hallways and high-traffic family rooms
- Click-lock installation makes it one of the most accessible DIY flooring options available
Cons:
- Swells and buckles with water exposure, making it unsuitable for bathrooms or laundry rooms
- Cannot be refinished, so damaged sections require replacement rather than repair
Pricing: $3–$11 per sq ft installed
4. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
LVP has become the most popular whole-home remodeling floor choice in the U.S., and for good reason.
Its rigid core construction is 100% waterproof throughout the plank, making it an easy choice in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
Pros:
- 100% waterproof throughout, safe for every room including below-grade spaces
- Softer and quieter underfoot than ceramic tile or laminate, with sound-dampening properties
Cons:
- Cannot be refinished, and sharp objects can permanently cut through the wear layer
- Thinner wear layer products (under 12 mil) will show wear significantly faster in busy homes
Pricing: $4–$12 per sq ft installed
Curious how flooring fits into a full kitchen or bathroom overhaul? Our kitchen remodeling page covers the materials we use on real completed projects.
5. Tile
Tile is the standard for wet rooms because it handles moisture better than any other residential flooring. That said, the grout lines do require periodic sealing to prevent staining and water intrusion.
Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures than standard ceramic tile, giving it a water absorption rate below 0.5% compared to ceramic’s 3-7%.
Pros:
- Completely waterproof at the tile surface, ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways
- Extremely long lifespan with minimal visible wear under consistent daily use when properly installed
Cons:
- Cold and hard underfoot without radiant floor heating or substantial area rugs
- Grout requires periodic sealing and will trap grime without regular maintenance
Pricing: $7–$15 per sq ft for standard ceramic; $9–$20 per sq ft for standard porcelain. Large-format or premium tile runs higher.
6. Carpet
Carpet often gets overlooked nowadays, but it still makes sense in bedrooms and living spaces where comfort, warmth, and sound absorption matter.
Professional installation is strongly recommended since a proper stretch requires a power stretcher. DIY installs frequently develop ripples within a year.
Pros:
- Warm and soft underfoot, which hard flooring types can’t replicate in a bedroom
- Naturally dampens sound in rooms where hard surfaces and high ceilings amplify echo
Cons:
- Holds allergens, pet dander, and moisture far more than hard-surface alternatives
- Wears down faster in high-traffic zones and typically needs replacement every 5–15 years
Pricing: $2–$8 per sq ft installed (includes padding and labor)
7. Concrete Flooring
Polished or stained concrete has become a legitimate residential design option, not just an industrial or garage solution.
It’s a strong choice for basements, modern kitchens, and open-concept spaces. Polished concrete can become slippery when wet, though, so non-slip sealer or grit additive is important.
Pros:
- Extremely durable once sealed, requiring very little routine maintenance long-term
- Compatible with in-floor radiant heating, which resolves the cold underfoot problem
Cons:
- Slippery when wet without a non-slip sealer or grit additive in the finish
- Requires professional equipment and periodic resealing every two to five years to maintain its finish
Pricing: $3–$15 per sq ft depending on finish level and complexity
Finishing a basement and still deciding on flooring? Our basement remodeling page includes real project examples with the actual material decisions we’ve made.
8. Linoleum
Linoleum is made from linseed oil, limestone, cork, wood flour, and natural pigments on a jute backing. It’s often confused with vinyl sheet flooring, which is a different product entirely.
True linoleum, such as Marmoleum (the only natural linoleum widely available in North America), carries FloorScore certification for low chemical emissions.
Pros:
- Low chemical emissions and FloorScore certified, making it one of the healthier flooring choices for indoor spaces
- Naturally antimicrobial due to linseed oil oxidation, and durable in kitchens and utility rooms
Cons:
- Can curl or lift at edges if moisture consistently gets underneath sheet installations
- Fewer style options than luxury vinyl tile or ceramic, and limited availability in some markets
Pricing: $3–$11 per sq ft installed
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best flooring type for homes with pets?
Luxury vinyl plank leads this category. Its waterproof construction and wear layer handle spills, claw traffic, and accidents without absorbing damage the way hardwood or carpet do. Tile works equally well in spaces where moisture is a daily reality, such as kitchens or mudrooms.
Does hardwood flooring improve resale value?
It does, with documented numbers to back it up. The National Association of Realtors Remodeling Impact Report found that installing new hardwood floors returns an average of 118% of project costs at resale, the second-highest ROI of all interior remodeling projects.
Skip the Research Spiral and Just Fix Your Floors
At some point, comparing flooring specs becomes its own project. At Pritch Remodeling, flooring decisions happen as part of the full home remodeling process, not as a separate homework assignment.
We look at your subfloor, your rooms, your lifestyle, and the materials we actually trust before making any recommendation.
Take a look at our home remodeling services to see how we work, then call us at (402) 677-6401 or message us here when you’re ready to talk.
