Top Choice: Porcelain Tile
A natural fit for high-traffic areas of the home, porcelain tile outperforms every other flooring material we test for resistance to scratching, and it resists dents from light objects like falling utensils very well, says Larry Ciufo, the CR engineer responsible for rating flooring.
Porcelain tile comes in a range of styles to fit any décor. You can get small-format hex tiles for a traditional early-20th-century house, for example, or 4-foot faux reclaimed-ash planks that, when laid tightly together with a matching grout, will convincingly create the look of wood. Tile is also low-maintenance, requiring nothing more than vacuuming and mopping to stay clean.
Ciufo has one cautionary note about porcelain tile: It’s vulnerable to heavy objects that fall on it. “It’s probably the best choice for kitchens and mudrooms, but one has to be aware that it may crack when something heavy, like a full can of vegetables, is dropped on it,” he says.
Runner-Up: Vinyl Flooring
Sheet vinyl floors became popular with homeowners in the 1950s (sometimes with layer upon layer put down as tastes changed) for several good reasons. First, vinyl flooring is an affordable way to cover an expansive space. Of the vinyl flooring we test, vinyl planks and tiles come in at around $3.42 per square foot, on average, cheaper per square foot than porcelain tile and second in affordability only to laminates, at $2.82 per square foot. Vinyl planks and tiles are also among the easiest types of flooring to install yourself.
“Customers constantly mistake the luxury vinyl planks on my showroom floor for real wood,” says Joan Slaughterbeck, founder of Slaughterbeck Floors in Campbell, Calif., who has installed luxury vinyl planks throughout entire homes in Palo Alto and other upscale Bay Area communities.
Today’s vinyl products are also more durable than those of the past, but some may be prone to scratching. Therefore, keep felt bumpers on the feet of kitchen stools to protect vinyl flooring, and buy an extra bundle of planks now to ensure that you have a perfect match down the road. If any planks get damaged, you can remove them and install replacements as needed.
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Family Handyman
If you think installing carpet is time-consuming and complicated, think again. Modular carpet, aka carpet squares, is one of the easiest floor coverings to install and one of the easiest cheap flooring ideas. You simply lay the squares on the floor; adhesive strips and the carpet’s heavy backing hold them in place. You can finish most rooms in a day, if not an afternoon. And you can use it anywhere. You can add whimsy to a kids’ playroom, like the brilliantly cartoonish furniture Judson Beaumont creates, or create an elegant look in a formal dining room. A carpet pad isn’t required for this flooring option and they can be repositioned or removed at any time. For more help on how to properly place carpet squares use these tips.
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Construction-grade plywood was once only reserved for subfloors and sheathing, but now it’s making a splash as an affordable residential flooring. There are two ways you can go with this flooring option: Remove the existing flooring and refinish the plywood subfloor beneath, or install new plywood, cut into planks or any creative design you choose, on top of an existing subfloor. Whichever route you choose, if you take your time and apply a hardy topcoat such as polyurethane that will stand up to everyday foot traffic, you can create a stunning, one-of-a-kind floor. Plywood’s great for a variety of projects, like some of these incredible headboards you should add to your bedroom.
The world of plywood is vast and complicated but once you learn the grades you can find the right plywood for the job.
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Peel and stick vinyl tiles are one of the most inexpensive flooring options for homeowners. And if you’re good at measuring and are comfortable using a utility knife, you’ll have no problem installing a basic vinyl tile floor. This flooring is virtually indestructible, is often waterproof and is easier to install than most other flooring materials. Because of these features, this flooring is perfect for a basement or a bathroom. However, the best part about this flooring is the infinite number of designs you can create once you learn a few special techniques. If something does happen to your vinyl tiles, like a stain, check out these tips for how to easily fix them.