Naturally, the same caution about those designs mentioned with linoleum applies here. Additionally, ceramic’s strengths are also often weakness in other ways. That same durability can lead to breaking anything you do drop on it. And if the tile does chip, it can be very difficult to do a quality repair job on your own. Tile can be harder on your feet as well, making you want to rush back to those carpeted areas. Dirt also tends to collect in the grout lines, making it difficult to clean.
LAMINATE
Laminate became popular in the late 1990's and early 2000's and was an inexpensive option to being carpet free. The original laminate flooring was only 8mm and tended to peel and lift at the seams after prolonged washing with water. Laminate has come a long way baby! Now sold in up to 16mm thickness and plank width it is hard to differentiate some high quality laminate floor from engineered hardwood at first glance.
HARDWOOD
As stated, hardwood is easily the most popular choice for flooring today. Hardwood floors present a clean and distinguished look throughout the home. It is easy to clean, durable, and tends to be more comfortable than tile. It also has the advantage of being able to be restored every few years, meaning that any scratches, cracks, or loose boards can be corrected periodically, resulting in what looks like a brand-new floor any time it is refinished, often at far less cost than changing out carpet or any other material. What has become very popular over the past 8 - 10 years is engineered hardwood flooring. This style is often a wider, plank style and is not as susceptible to to damage as the thinner, pre-
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