Quick Reference Guide
START YOUR FLOORING PROJECT WITH ALL THE
INFORMATION YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR IDEAS REALITY.
Pros
- Appearance Improves
with Age
Hardwood improves with age because it acquires a desirable patina over time.
- Long Lasting
Hardwood is among the longest lasting of all flooring types.
- Great Investment
Although hardwood can initially cost more than some other flooring options, it's an investment that pays off, increasing the value of your home.
- Can Be Recoated
All hardwood can be recoated, allowing you to refresh your floor to its original look.
- Easy Care & Maintenance
Hardwood is as easy to care for as most other floors—waxing is not necessary for urethane finishes.
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Considerations
- May Scratch
A hardwood floor's finish is susceptible to scratching from traffic or pet nails.
- Limited Below Grade
Installation
Solid hardwood cannot be installed below grade level; engineered hardwood can.
- Full Bath Installation Not
Recommended
Hardwood should not be used in a full bathroom because it is sensitive to humidity and pooling water.
- Transitions to Other Floors
A new hardwood floor may be a different height than the floor it adjoins. Thinner profile wood and transition strips will help to equalize the difference.
Pros
- Ultra Realistic Designs
Provides the realistic look of wood, tile or stone at a lower cost.
- Long Lasting
Extremely durable and far less apt to scratch than wood.
- DIY-Friendly
Exceptionally easy to install because interlocking floating pieces attach to each other with no glue, rather than the subfloor.
- Easy Area-to-Area Transitions
Easy to adjoin to other floors, due to its 7 to 10 mm (approximately 1/3") thickness.
- Child and Pet Friendly
Superior durability for households with children or large pets.
- Environmentally Responsible
Yield from the tree is dramatically higher than real wood - means far fewer trees are needed for production.
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Considerations
- Cannot be Refinished
Unlike hardwood floors, laminate cannot be refinished or recoated.
- Shorter Life Expectancy than Natural Products
Laminate's life expectancy of 15 to 30 years is on par with other types of manufactured flooring, but considerably less than that of genuine stone, ceramic and other natural materials.
- "Hollow" Sound if Not Installed with Correct Underlayment
Laminate's construction and installation method can create hollow sounds when people or pets walk on the floor. Using the correct underlayment eliminates or reduces this problem.
- Adds Less Value to Your Home than Natural Products
Laminate does not have the same perceived value of the natural materials it mimics.
Pros
- Long Lasting
Ceramic, when installed and maintained properly, will last for the life of your home.
- Low Maintenance
Ceramic cleans easily with a neutral floor cleaner.
- Virtually Unlimited Designs
Ceramic offers a wide variety of designs, colors and patterns.
- Stands Up to High Traffic
Extremely durable ceramic is an excellent choice for high traffic areas.
- Great Investment
Although ceramic is harder to install than other flooring, it is an investment that pays off, increasing the value of your home.
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Considerations
- Difficult to Install
Professional installation is highly recommended, and can be expensive.
- May Chip or Crack
Ceramic's hardness makes it susceptible to chipping or cracking from impact.
- Hard, Unforgiving Surface
Ceramic is not easy on breakable objects or muscles and joints. Plates and glass may break; knees and elbows may bruise from falls; and standing on a very hard floor can cause muscle fatigue.
- Colder Perception
Ceramic may feel cooler to the touch than other floor types, in low-temperature environments.
Pros
- Broadest Range of Colors and Designs
If you want to mimic the look and texture of natural materials such as hardwood, stone or ceramic, or if you prefer a visual that's only possible with modern print technology, vinyl flooring offers you the widest array of designs and colors in any one flooring category.
- A Great Buy
Value-priced vinyl sheet is one of the best buys in flooring, compared to other floor coverings.
- Underfoot Comfort and Resilience
Vinyl is easier to stand on for long periods of time, compared with other hard surface flooring. Its resiliency is more forgiving on dropped glasses or other objects. Vinyl's cushy construction is toddler-friendly and easier on elderly joints, too.
- Low Maintenance
Vinyl requires minimal maintenance -- much less than any other flooring category.
- Water Resistant
Vinyl sheet doesn't absorb liquids, so it's suitable for any room of the house, especially bathrooms and kitchens. It also has fewer seams than vinyl tile, for less places water or dirt can accumulate.
- Install Anywhere
Vinyl can be used below, on or above grade level, over most subfloors (except carpet).
- Virtually Seamless
Vinyl sheet is 6' or 12' feet wide, which creates a more uniform-looking installation.
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Considerations
- Will Not Increase Home's Value
Vinyl sheet is less likely than natural flooring products to enhance the monetary value of your home.
- Easier to Rip or Gouge
Thinner vinyl is more susceptible to gouging and other durability problems. For high-traffic areas, it's best to install thicker and higher quality vinyl.
- Not as DIY-Friendly as Other Flooring (laminate, glueless vinyl tile)
For DIYers, vinyl sheet is not too complicated to install, but it does require precision and preparation. The subfloor must be prepped to be smooth, flat and dry before the floor goes down. After the floor is laid, sealing the seams can be difficult. When a seam is required, installation is best left to a professional.
- Must Allow for Expansion and Contraction
Subfloors shrink and expand with temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Pros
- Great Value
Vinyl tile is one of the best values in flooring.
- Easy Installation
For DIYers, glueless and peel ‘n stick vinyl tile is the easiest floor to install.
- Install Anywhere in the Home
Can be installed in any room, including bathrooms. Can be installed on all levels including below grade.
- Wide Variety of Designs, Sizes and Shapes
A wide variety of designs ranging from natural materials to original patterns in 12" x 12", large formats and planks. Vinyl has the look of wood, stone or ceramic tile at a lower price point.
- Low Maintenance
Just sweep and mop occasionally.
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Considerations
- Lower Life Expectancy
Vinyl tile will not last as long as hardwood, ceramic tile or linoleum.
- Seams That Can Accumulate Dirt and Moisture
Water can seep into tile seams. This can create maintenance, adhesive bonding and subfloor issues.
- Gouging and Tearing
Resilient, vinyl tile is easier to gouge and tear than ceramic tile. In higher traffic areas, be sure to install thicker vinyl tile for better performance.
- Does Not Increase Home's Value
Vinyl tile is less likely than natural flooring products to enhance the monetary value of your home.
Pros
- Natural Beauty
Linoleum is made from natural ingredients. The floor patterns and vivid, saturated colors create dramatic design statements worthy of Mother Nature.
- Long Lasting
Life spans that can last 40 years or more. Pattern and color extend through the thickness of product, so even if the flooring begins to wear down, the design and color remain.
- Resists Damage and is Easy to Clean
When protected with a manufacturer’s bonded coating, linoleum resists dirt, scratches, scuffs, and cleans easily with sweeping and occasional mopping. An excellent choice for active households.
- A Great Value
Linoleum's long life span makes it a cost-effective flooring option.
- One of the "Greenest" Floors
Environmentally preferred linoleum is made of abundantly available, renewable natural materials. Armstrong™ linoleum is FloorScore™ certified.
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Considerations
- Difficult to Install
Professional installation is highly recommended.
- May Require Special Maintenance
Unprotected floors must be polished to prevent damage to the design. If polish wears off, high pH cleaners such as ammonia can discolor the floor.
- "Drying Room Film" and Odor
New linoleum has a yellow cast and a harmless odor; both of which dissipate when exposed to light and air.
