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When selecting new flooring for your home, there are an array of materials that you can choose from. Each of these materials has its pros and cons - with each one suited to a different application. This guide explores 15 different options, as well as delving into the unique properties of each flooring material.

1. Natural carpet

Typically made from wool or jute, natural carpet is soft underfoot and provides excellent thermal and sound insulation. This material is also eco-friendly and durable against high traffic. It’s ideal for keeping bedrooms warm or muffling the pitter-patter of feet on a staircase. Avoid natural carpet in any room that could get wet.

2. Synthetic carpet

Synthetic carpet is made from materials like nylon or polyester. It’s not as durable as natural carpet, however it can offer better stain resistance and moisture protection. On top of this, synthetic carpet is usually cheaper and available in a more diverse range of colours.

3. Hardwood

Hardwood floors are prized for their beautiful appearance - each one has a unique tone and grain pattern. These floors can withstand a lot of traffic and have the potential to last over 100 years. If they do get stained or scratched, you can always sand them down to rejuvenate them. Just be careful of spillages or humidity, which can cause a hardwood floor to rot or warp.

4. Engineered wood

Engineered wood consists of a natural timber veneer glued to a core made of plywood or high density fibreboard (HDF). There’s practically no visual difference between an engineered wood floor and hardwood floor. The main difference is that engineered wood cannot be continuously refinished like hardwood, although it can offer better moisture resistance, potentially making it better suited to kitchens and dining rooms.

5. Laminate

Laminate is a synthetic wood made from HDF with a printed image on top covered by a melamine layer. It has a similar appearance to wood, but is much cheaper and much easier to clean (making it a popular option in homes with kids or pets). It is not as durable as real wood though and cannot be refinished.

6. Vinyl

One of the most budget-friendly flooring options is vinyl flooring. This consists of a layer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that can be designed to mimic the appearance of all kinds of materials and textures from timber grain to chequerboard tile patterns. Vinyl is incredibly water resistant, making it a popular bathroom and kitchen option, but is prone to tearing.

7. Luxury vinyl

Luxury vinyl is made from the same material, but it is typically much thicker and harder. It may come in planks - providing more cushioning, more resistance against tearing and better sound insulation. It often has a higher quality appearance than standard vinyl, but comes at a higher price tag.

8. Linoleum

Similar in texture to vinyl, linoleum is made from natural materials like linseed oil and pine resin. It can last longer than vinyl, but requires periodic sealing and is not available in as many diverse styles as vinyl. It was once a popular material option in kitchens, but is less popular nowadays (cheap linoleum can look dated).

9. Ceramic

Ceramic is the most affordable hard tile flooring option. It’s easy to cut into shape, making it a popular DIY tile solution. In addition to this, ceramic tile floors are fairly water resistant and easy to clean. They stay cool underfoot in summer, but may be less comfortable in the winter.

10. Porcelain

Another popular tile material, porcelain is made from a much denser clay, which makes it more durable than ceramic. Porcelain floors can last for years in high traffic areas and can offer exceptional water resistance (these floors are a fantastic choice for bathrooms). Expect to pay more for a porcelain floor than you would for a ceramic floor.

11. Natural stone

The most premium tile option is natural stone. This includes materials like limestone and marble. Every natural stone floor is unique in its texture, and as a result natural tone floors can add a lot of value to a home. These floors can also last well over 100 years, but need to be kept well maintained (which includes regular cleaning and resealing) to keep them looking good.

12. Concrete

Concrete is an equally durable but more affordable and synthetic alternative to stone. A concrete floor can come in many forms including rough concrete (commonly found in basements and workshops), polished concrete (more popular in hallways or kitchens) or concrete tiles. To protect it from damage, concrete needs to be periodically resealed. It can be designed to mimic stone, but can develop a faded appearance with age.

13. Rubber

Rubber can make excellent home gym flooring or be equally suitable in a home workshop. It’s easy to clean while remaining soft underfoot. The majority of rubber floors are made from a synthetic rubber and consist of tiles that can be easily pieced together oneself.

14. Cork

A less common choice than some of the other materials listed above, cork flooring is hypoallergenic and soft underfoot. It can make a unique living room floor material, however is less suitable for bathrooms and kitchens due to potential moisture damage.

15. Bamboo

Bamboo flooring can resemble a light hardwood, while being a lot cheaper than timber. It can offer a high level of durability, however generally won’t last as long as a hardwood floor. Like cork, bamboo is also prone to moisture damage, and should be avoided in kitchens or bathrooms where there is humidity.

Which flooring material should you choose?

Choosing the best flooring material ultimately comes down to personal preference. It’s important to compare the practical properties of each material, but you should also consider what you think looks and feels good in your home. Try to maintain a sense of flow throughout your home, and consider which material best matches the home’s character (more traditional and natural materials may be a better choice in an older or more rustic property).