If you are planning on redoing your flooring but are not sure where to begin there are a few things to keep in mind before making any decisions.

You will of course first have to decide which kind of flooring you will be going with. Whether you want something in a residential space that will make the space cozier, or you’re looking for something for a commercial space that will be heavily used and treaded on, you’re going to want to pick a flooring option that suits the space it will be residing in.

Deciding where your flooring will be going is also crucial when deciding which flooring to choose for a particular space. You wouldn’t want carpet in a commercial space that will be destroyed before long and you may not want cold, hard tile in your living space.

With all of this in mind, we have gone through some of the more common types of floors and touched on their benefits, disadvantages and where would the best place to use them.

Hardwood

Hardwood is a traditional, popular choice and it fits a majority of residential spaces. It is durable and warm with a natural look. Oak is primarily used in hardwood but a number of different types of woods can be used as well if you’re looking for something darker. Hardwood floors come in a variety of styles like plan, parquet and prefinished wood if you’re the DIY type and want to install them without the assistance of a contractor.

Hardwood is perfect for a living space or halls inside your home but you should consider something else for areas with higher traffic.

Carpet

Carpet is great if you want to have a want comforting flooring option that will help keep you and your space warm. Whatever style, pattern or colour you have in mind, there is sure to be a carpet out there for you. There are countless materials used when making a carpet, so it is really up to you and your preferences.

Carpets are practical for a living space or bedroom but should be avoided in places where people walk a lot due to carpets being made of materials that could easily tear or stain.

Concrete

When you think of concrete you may think of your garage or something industrial but it is one of the more desired looks in today’s market. There is a white range of sealers and specialty stains that can give a concrete floor personality. Typical gray concrete can be stamped and stained to give off the look of polished marble, tumbled stones and much more.

There is a lot of wiggle room when it comes to concrete floors due to the large variety of stains, so the look is really up to your imagination - and as to be expected, concrete is incredibly durable and will last you for some time, with little maintenance needed.

Concrete would be preferable for a commercial space that has many people coming and going and thanks to the generous choice of stains, you don’t have to sacrifice style for durability. For homes, it could be used for most rooms, aside for washrooms. In a bedroom or living space, concrete can give off a minimal, modern chic look.

Laminate

Laminate is another very popular choice that you will often find in residential spaces. They are rather easy to install when compared to hardwood and is much more affordable. Laminate is made of different wood-based materials that are layered, or laminated (where the name derives from) together then topped with wood grain, so it is beautiful, durable and easy to install.

Laminate is perfect for kitchens and living spaces, but would also work well in most parts of the home. It is also a good option for those who want that hardwood look at an affordable price.

Tile

Tiles come in a variety of materials from ceramic, porcelain, glass, marble, mosaic and more. These all come at different price ranges with porcelain being on the lower and mosaic being on the higher end. Due to the large selection of materials and styles that tiles come in, it makes it easy to find the perfect tile for any space. If you’re creative, this is a great place to flex your skills, you can combine different colours, materials and shapes to make your own custom floor.

Tiles are mostly used in kitchens and bathrooms but would also work in most living spaces. It isn’t recommended that you use tiles in places where you expect people to walk with shoes frequently due to tiles not being as durable as other options.

Linoleum

If you’re looking to redo your flooring on a budget, linoleum is a good option to consider. Like tile, it comes in a variety of colours and styles that will fit with any space. Linoleum is also eco-friendly due to being made with all-natural materials, primarily constructed using wood flour, linseed oil, and rosins. It also stops microorganisms from multiplying due to its construction, which is why you’ll see it used in hospitals.

Linoleum is water and scratch-resistant, easily maintained and comfortable, so it can go just about anywhere.

When picking a new flooring option there are many choices, many more than listed here. We have just curated the most common flooring options that you often see in residential and commercial spaces.

If you’re still having a hard time deciding on a flooring option for your space, we invite you to visit Improve Canada, Canada’s largest home improvement centre. We have over 350 showrooms with 22 of those having flooring options.