From cozy Berber carpeting to gleaming hardwood, there are so many types of floors to choose from, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Some flooring adds value to your home, while others are simply used because they are comfortable, inexpensive, or easy to maintain. When you’re thinking about what kind of flooring to install in your home, here are some options to consider.

Hardwood

Aside from its obvious beauty, hardwood flooring offers many additional benefits. It increases the value of your home, and its appearance actually improves with age. Easy to maintain, hardwood flooring is also incredibly long-lasting. There are so many different options available, everything from handscraped hardwood for a more rustic look to exotic hardwood from all around the world, so you can choose something that will perfectly suit your taste.

Negatives: It may scratch easily and is sensitive to humidity.

Alternatives: Bamboo is a popular alternative to hardwood flooring, as it is environmentally friendly and boasts a smooth finish.

Laminate

Best for active areas of the home, laminate flooring can give you the appearance of wood, ceramic or stone without the hassle. Thanks to advanced technology, laminate looks more realistic than ever. It is also extremely durable, easy to care for and less expensive than real wood, stone or ceramic flooring. Plus, a wide range of colors and styles gives you a lot to choose from.

Negatives: Although it is durable, laminate won’t last as long as real wood, stone or ceramic flooring. And because it isn’t real, it won’t add the same value to your home.

(Interested in tile flooring options? Keep your eye out for an upcoming article!)

Carpet

Carpeting is certainly the coziest flooring option, as it is soft under your feet, and it adds warmth as it insulates the home. Some other benefits of carpeting include its sound-deadening quality, making it much quieter than hard surface floors. It also costs less to install than a lot of the hard flooring does, and it comes in an assortment of colors to complement any room’s decor.

Negatives: Some types of carpeting shows tracks and can hold more dirt, so it’s usually not best for high-traffic areas.

Stone

Variations in color and surface appearance mean that no two pieces of natural stone flooring are alike, making it an extremely unique choice. There are many different kinds to choose from, each with their own appeal. Marble adds a touch of elegance, while travertine provides a more worn, aged look. Durable and stain-resistant, slate flooring offers a rustic charm. Granite is one of the most durable stones, and it also doesn’t scratch or stain easily.

Negatives: Some types of stone flooring, particularly granite, can be very expensive.

Alternatives: Along with natural stone, there is also manmade stone flooring like terrazzo, which is not only beautiful but also highly durable.