Different Types of Flooring [The Complete Guide]

Here is a list of the most popular types of flooring:

1. Tiles Flooring

2. Hardwood Flooring

3. Natural Stone Flooring

4. Engineered Wood Flooring

5. Laminate Flooring

6. Vinyl Flooring

7. SPC Flooring

8. Linoleuim

9. Cork Flooring

Different types of flooring can transform the appearance, comfort and value of a home. Floors are not only designed to stand up to heavy foot traffic, but they must also look good while doing it. When deciding on the best type of flooring for your home, you must consider both performance and style. Different types of flooring offer a variety of looks, colors, and textures that range from sleek modern to stunning vintage. Different materials have advantages in different spaces depending on the amount of foot traffic, budget, lifestyle, and other considerations. Different types of hardwood flooring like engineered, solid hardwood, laminate and resilient vinyl provide warmth underfoot as well as durability with regular care and maintenance.

Different kinds of tile flooring such as ceramic, stone or porcelain are strong and easy to maintain, making them great for bathrooms or kitchens where moisture is present. Carpet is cozy underfoot and comes in many styles that can easily fit any area in your home. No matter what look you want to achieve with your floors, there’s sure to be an option with Different Types of Flooring to suit your specific needs.

Each sort of flooring offers its own set of advantages. Evaluate the necessities of every space before selecting the best kinds of flooring for the residence. You may choose from a variety of flooring selections by combining your aesthetic inclinations with the extent of your spending plan. This article explores various kinds of flooring and associated benefits and drawbacks so you can pick the ideal type of flooring solution for your space.

Although there are a plethora of flooring types, some are more popular in newer residences than others.  Let's check the most widespread options for flooring.

1. Tiles Flooring

Tiles are considered one of the most inventive forms of floor solutions. Its varied colors, patterns, forms, and dimensions make it a versatile alternative that might work in any space of your house. The tiles are created by blending fine clay with other selected components and baking it in a furnace to solidify the ceramic.

Dyes applied to the composition provide a wide range of color options in tiles. Select flooring that also is certified for usage on floors to guarantee they will withstand foot activity. Ceramic Tiles, Porcelain Tiles, Glazed Vitrified Tiles, Polished Glazed Vitrified Tiles, and other varieties of tiles are available on the market depending on their manufacturing method.
 

Pros

• Water-resistant
• Robust
• Lasts longer

Cons

• Costly
• Installation is difficult
• Even before assembly, a significant amount of preparation is required
• Cold and slick

Installation Guide

• First of all, prepare the surface for the installation. It requires the surface to be dried out and leveled before the installation. 
• After mixing the blend of thin-set with adhesives in the prescribed quantity and waiting for 15 minutes, lay the mortar evenly on the surface
• Lay the tiles alongside the straightedge and push it gently with fingers, make necessary cuts and notch the tile for corners and edges of the space.
• Filling the joints with grout is the next step in the process, and clean up the remaining grout from the surface so as to avoid marks.
   

2. Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is one of the many types of flooring. Hardwood floors are a high-maintenance yet classic flooring style choice that comes in slabs, logs, and inlaid patterns. Hardwood flooring may be fairly resilient if properly maintained. It is available in several natural hues, including oak and mahogany, and may compliment a wide range of décor trends.
Although hardwood floors are more costly than other alternatives, they are still a great choice for elegance.Floormonk one of the leading hardwood flooring manufacturer in india.

Pros

• Great investment as it adds to the home value
• Can be restored several times
• There are several choices accessible
• Sturdy and long-lasting

Cons

• Costly
• In high-traffic locations, scuffs, stains, and damages are possible
• Damaged by water
• Cannot be applied in all spaces, especially in moisture-prone areas such as Bathrooms, kitchens, etc.

Installation Guide

• Allow Hardwood to adjust to room conditions
• Make Preparation for Hardwood Flooring such as cleaning, drying and leveling floor
• The first rows must be fastened in through the board's surface, whereas the remainder can be fastened through the tongues.
• Draw a chalked line down the first panel, with the grooves towards the wall.
• Nails should now be hammered into pre-drilled slots.
• Push the next panel in position and blind the nails with a hammer.
• With a nail punch, drill nails and fill the gap with complementing sealant.
• Allow a 34-inch space at the ends of the panel for expansions.
• For every floorboard across the row, fasten at a 45-degree angle on the tongue's border.
• Insert the grooves into the tongues of the initial row and knock them into position with a knocking mallet to begin the next line.
• Lay the remaining hardwood floorboards, spacing the seams and leaving room for expansions.
• The last two lines on the tongue's side should be face-nailed.
• Remove any extra subfloor, scrape, and seal. Cover nail cavities with matching wooden sealant.
   

3. Natural Stone Flooring

Natural stone flooring is one of the most premium floors available. Traditionally, such floors were exclusively found in posh residences and vintage buildings. They are somewhat pricier than some other flooring alternatives, but the appearance they provide to any space where they are put is unparalleled. 

Natural stones are mined straight from quarries and then processed by manufacturers to use in homes. They also allow moisture to soak into the floor because they are constructed of natural stone. However, this is a benefit in and of itself, as natural stone is distinctive and transparent. Your home will shine and have a distinct appearance. Some of the most popular natural stones are Marble, Granite, Limestone, etc.

Pros

• Beautiful in appearance
• Shades and patterns that are one-of-a-kind
• Excellent resale worth
• Sealants can help to alleviate product constraints
• Most desired for their appeal

Cons

• Can be very costly
• Feels colder beneath the feet
• They are prone to chipping off
• They are porous and hence require sealing
• Depletes natural resources

Installation Guide

• Eliminate any pre-existing floor coverings, particularly if they're in poor shape, such as carpeting or wood.
• After you've replaced all of the old floorings, scrub your floor to guarantee it's clear of filth and dirt.
• Now next procedure is to apply your adhesives to the subfloor in a space big enough to accommodate all of the stone tiles.
• After you've placed the adhesive, proceed with the single stone tile and firmly press it into position. As necessary, use a leveler to ensure that the tiles are flat and level on top of one another.
• Continue to put tiles one by one. When you've done that column, continue laying additional lines until you've done placing all of your natural stone tiles.
• Allow your natural stone tiles to dry for 24-48 hrs following installation prior to adding any form of sealant to the top. After they have dried, you may add a preferred sealant to the top.
   

4. Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring appears like natural hardwood but has increased moisture protection because they combine an upper surface of authentic hardwood with various levels of ply planks that flow in various directions underneath. Engineered wood flooring is also increasing in popularity due to the numerous available choices.

Engineered wood is an excellent solution for sections of your house where you may be worried about genuine hardwood distorting owing to hot humid conditions, for instance, a wet region. Furthermore, because engineered hardwood floors are made from less expensive solid wood, they are often a more affordable alternative for folks who have their hearts set on plank flooring.

Pros

• Installation is easy and you can even choose to do it yourself
• It has a genuine wooden upper surface
• Better moisture and humidity tolerance than genuine hardwood
• Least prone to warping

Cons

• Refinishing is not permitted multiple times
• It does fade with time
• Quality varies greatly
• As opposed to hardwood, the composition may feel hollow beneath the feet
• VOCs are emission

Installation Guide

Floating Method

• Insert separators between both the walls and the boards on a clear flooring to begin. Use separators to provide a 1/4" spacing from the wall.
• Moving from left to right, place one plank in the room's far corner. Finish the first row by joining the tongue and grooves joints and leveling the gaps using tongue and groove adhesive.
• When you reach the end of a row, just check the distance between both the wall and the final panel, and label and slice the next board to size.
• Start the next line with the remaining snipped pieces.
• Proceed to advance around the space, knocking the boards into a closed configuration with the hitting blocks and rubber hammer to ensure that the boards are connected and all of the joints are secure. Put separators every few inches along the perimeter of the floor and detach them once finished.
   

5. Laminate Flooring

Laminate floors are a composite flooring option that consists of a fiberboard wood foundation that is overlaid with a hardwood or tiles design that is protected by a transparent plastic coating. Identical to engineered wood flooring, it features a polished and protected top layer that is installed to provide solid and lasting planks.

Laminate flooring is a common sort of flooring solution for houses' living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, corridors, as well as other spaces which are not prone to too much moisture exposure. The variety of designs and textures available make it among the finest forms of floors for homes, as it complements a wide range of residential décor trends.

Pros

• Simple to maintain
• Resistant to scrapes and scuffs
• Ideal for high-impact residences
• Comparatively affordable

Cons

• Water has the potential to damage it
• The top laminate layer may chip off
• Not suggested for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms
• Reduced reselling worth

Installation Guide

• Same as Engineered wood flooring
   

6. Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is known to be a very resilient flooring option and provides flexibility and cushioning feel over the surface. The cost of vinyl flooring is typically dictated by the density of the planks or tiles, which is produced by gluing the top-wear layer to a level of felt and cushion. The top-wear layer offers a tear and stain-resistant coating that is both long-lasting and low-maintenance.

Luxury vinyl flooring may be a bit more costly, but it will undoubtedly look prettier than less expensive ones and it promises to be more long-lasting. If you wish your flooring surface to truly match the appearance and feel of hardwood, you might choose luxury vinyl plank.

Pros

• Excellent for use in kitchens, baths, and laundry spaces
• Weather resistant
• Moisture and fading resistance
• DIY-friendly
• There are several design options available.
• Simple to upkeep

Cons

• LVP and LVT are much more costly than laminated flooring options.
• The resale value is much lower as compared to hardwood flooring

Installation Guide

• Same as Engineered flooring installation
   

7. SPC Flooring

SPC flooring, which stands for Stone Plastic Composite, is the most recent and revolutionary flooring product. It is a superior version of Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) that is completely waterproof and far sturdier than ordinary LVT.

The body of SPC multi-layered flooring boards is made of stone particles and a PVC polymer mixture, which results in a very lasting dent-resistant substance that doesn't stretch and shrink with climatic factors.

Pros

• Water Resistant
• Lower cost of installation
• Easy installation
• Stunning appearance
• Environment friendly
• Contributes to better air quality
• Provides noise-proof ambiance

Cons

• Prone to scratches
• Not for external application
• May fade with time
• Surface has to be perfectly leveled
• Lacks underfoot cushioning

Installation Guide

• Same as Engineered flooring installation
   

8. Linoleum

Linoleum has always been a common addition to houses since it is a natural flooring alternative; nevertheless, it used to be a fragile choice, thus people turned away from it. However, in recent years, advancements in the manufacturing of linoleum, as well as a recognition of a number of its intrinsic beneficial features, have generated a rebirth in the application of this flexible and resilient flooring solution. 

Linoleum is a robust, comfortable flooring material that is unfazed by moderate surface conditions and does not easily sustain fire. It has been carefully toughened to withstand dents and is not affected by fats, greases, or other organic solutions.

Pros

• Reasonably priced
• A sustainable and environmentally friendly solution
• DIY-friendly installation
• Available in a number of colors and pattern combinations
• It demands minimal upkeep

Cons

• Doesn't really contribute to the value of the property
• Gets damaged or sliced easily
• If subjected to sunlight, it may discolor or give a yellow tint.
• Not appropriate for damp environments 

Installation Guide

• Take a measuring tape and make a note of the floor's size so you determine how much linoleum you would require.
• Linoleum normally takes between 24 and 48 hours to adjust to the atmosphere of a space.
• Outline and slice the linoleum, and ensure your margins are clean by using a measuring tape.
• Start by applying flooring adhesives with a notched spreader to the foundation or pre-existing flooring.
• Following laying the linoleum, use a floor roller to smoothen it out.
• For a minimum of 24 hours, there should be no footfall on the surface.
• As you reassemble the space, some locations may require sealing.
   

9. Cork Flooring

Cork is derived from the skin of the cork oak tree and is taken on a regular basis off mature trees in commercial cultivation. As a result, cork is a perfectly natural, reoccurring, and readily replenishable flooring substance. /

Cork is crushed up, flattened, and shaped into panels joined with resins to make flooring goods. To be true, cork flooring has numerous advantages, and its current appeal has resulted in cork floor installation nearly all over the household.

Pros

• It has a comfortable feel beneath the feet
• It is naturally warm
• Cork flooring can be refinished multiples times
• Hygienic and antimicrobial
• Environment friendly
• Easy installation
• Easy maintenance

Cons

• Prone to damage
• Not good for water-exposed areas and requires sealing
• Sun exposure may result in fading

Installation Guide

• Prepare the surface by cleaning, drying, and leveling it out before installation
• Back away the cork-floor board and discard the scrap wood pieces after gently cutting across each doorstop.
• Begin by putting the boards along the lengthiest straight wall and trimming the panels for the initial phase.
• To assemble the very first phase, raise one panel at a 45-degree angle from the floor, slip its tip into the tip of another panel, and softly push down till the tongue and grooves lock perfectly. Connect panels tip to tip until the initial phase is finished.
• Put 1/2 inch separators against the beginning wall and push the complete first row against the separators, grooves end towards you.
• Install the following plank by clicking its end into the previous plank and tapping it against the prior course. Continue placing cork floor boards until the field is completely covered.
   

Space Wise Recommendation for Various Floors

Living Rooms

Living Rooms are the most happening space in a house and with the most footfalls as well, hence it requires a beautiful yet sturdy flooring solution. We recommend Tiles, Hardwood Floors for its sheer aesthetics and value, Natural Stone, Engineered Wood, Laminate, or SPC Flooring for this space.

Kitchen

The heart of a home requires an even worthy addition when it comes to its floors, hence we suggest going for SPC Flooring, Tiles, Vinyl Flooring, Linoleum or Cork Flooring.

Bathroom

Of course you need to choose a more water resistant flooring solution for bathroom and Tiles, Natural Stones, or even SPC Flooring solutions.

Bedrooms

Your most personal space requires a more comfortable and cozy flooring and hence we recommend Cork Flooring, Tiles, SPC Flooring or even Natural Stones for it.
We hope the article has enough to help you choose your next flooring option, or maybe just add to your existing knowledge. 

FAQS :

1. What are the different type of floorings?

The different types of floorings include hardwood, laminate, vinyl plank, carpet, ceramic tile, and natural stone. Each option has its own unique benefits and drawbacks that should be considered before making a final decision.

2. What is the trend for flooring in 2022?

In 2022, the trend for flooring will be towards more eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and cork, as well as high quality vinyl plank flooring that can mimic the look of hardwood. Additionally, more homeowners are looking for sustainable options with recycled content or natural materials. 

3. How many types of flooring do we have?

We have numerous types of flooring, including stone, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, carpet, cork and linoleum. Each type provides a unique style and level of comfort to the home.

Article Updated  - 13 December 2022

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