Compare Flooring Types for Madison Homes
One person handles your whole project, start to finish.
Start Here
Pick the one that sounds like you. Each guide is short and answers the questions we hear most.
Water-Damaged Floors
Had a leak or flood? Here’s what to do first and which floors to replace.
Read the guide →Getting Ready to Sell
Which floors help a house sell, and which upgrades aren’t worth it before you list.
Read the guide →Just Bought a House
Change the floors before you move in, while the rooms are empty and the work goes faster.
Read the guide →Kids and Pets
Floors that stand up to spills, claws and muddy paws without looking worn.
Read the guide →What Affects Cost
What drives your price, from the floor you pick to the prep underneath it.
Read the guide →Compare the Five Floors
See all five floors side by side, with our usual pick for each room.
See the comparison →
Every Floor Has a Best Room
There’s no single best floor. There’s a best floor for each room. Here’s what each one does well, and where we’d pick something else.
Hardwood
Real wood that gets better with age.
Pick it if you want
- Real wood. Every board is one of a kind, and it gains character over the years.
- You can sand and refinish it, even to a new stain color years later. A solid floor can last for generations.
- The warm, natural look many buyers look for when a house hits the market.
Think twice if
- It’s not for bathrooms or damp basements. Engineered hardwood handles kitchens and dry basements better.
- Dents and scratches show more on softer species.
Best rooms: Living and dining rooms, bedrooms, stairs. Engineered for kitchens.
Tile
Built for water, snowmelt, and decades of use.
Pick it if you want
- Built to last. Well-laid tile can go for decades.
- Water, snowmelt, and muddy boots don’t bother it.
- It pairs well with in-floor heat, and comes in looks from wood-look to marble-look porcelain.
Think twice if
- It’s hard and cool underfoot. Rugs or in-floor heat help.
- Grout needs cleaning now and then, and tile needs a stiff, flat subfloor. Natural stone needs sealing.
Best rooms: Bathrooms, entries and mudrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms.
Carpet
The softest, quietest floor in the house.
Pick it if you want
- The softest, warmest floor to walk on, especially first thing in the morning.
- The quietest floor you can pick. Great upstairs.
- A softer landing on stairs and in kids’ rooms.
Think twice if
- It’s not for kitchens, baths, or entries.
- It wears sooner than hard floors, though it often lasts 10+ years.
Best rooms: Bedrooms, family rooms, stairs, dry finished basements.
Laminate
A tough wood look for busy rooms.
Pick it if you want
- A tough top layer that stands up to scratches.
- A firm, solid feel underfoot.
- A wood look that’s a practical choice for busy living areas.
Think twice if
- It’s water-resistant, not waterproof. Skip it in full baths, wet areas, and damp basements.
- It can’t be refinished. Worn planks get replaced.
Best rooms: Living rooms, hallways, home offices, rentals.
Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Waterproof planks for the rooms that get wet.
Pick it if you want
- Waterproof planks for basements, kitchens, and baths.
- Easy living with pets and kids.
- Quiet, and softer underfoot than tile.
Think twice if
- It can’t be refinished, and it’s not real wood, so it won’t gain character with age. Worn planks get replaced.
- Heavy furniture can dent it. The planks are waterproof, but the floor isn’t flood-proof. A big leak can still reach the subfloor.
Best rooms: Basements, kitchens, bathrooms, rentals, busy family rooms.
Room by Room
Where we usually point people, and why. Your home might call for something different, and we’ll tell you if it does.
| Room | Our usual picks | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Living and dining rooms | Hardwood first. Laminate or vinyl plank for heavy traffic. | Real wood is the warm centerpiece, and you can refinish it down the road. |
| Bedrooms | Carpet or hardwood | Carpet is soft and quiet. Hardwood is easy to keep clean and looks timeless. |
| Kitchen | Tile, engineered hardwood, or vinyl plank | Tile and vinyl plank handle spills. Engineered hardwood gives you real wood that’s more stable. |
| Bathroom | Tile first. Vinyl plank also works. | Tile handles water best and pairs well with in-floor heat. |
| Basement | Vinyl plank, or carpet on a dry slab | Waterproof planks suit basements. Carpet adds warmth where it stays dry. We check for moisture first. |
| Entry and mudroom | Tile | Snowmelt, salt, and boots won’t hurt it. |
| Stairs | Hardwood or carpet | Hardwood looks classic. Carpet is quieter and softer on the feet. |
| Rentals and busy family rooms | Vinyl plank or laminate | Tough, easy to clean, and a worn plank can be swapped out. |
At a Glance
Each floor wins somewhere. Here’s the quick version.
Swipe sideways to see all five floors. →
| Floor | Hardwood | Tile | Carpet | Laminate | Vinyl Plank (LVP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real natural material | Yes. Real wood | Yes. Fired clay or stone | Mostly synthetic fibers | No. A printed wood look | No. A printed wood look |
| Gets better with age | Yes. It gains character | Stays about the same | No | No | No |
| Can be refinished | Yes. Solid many times, engineered once or twice | No | No | No | No |
| Handles water | Wipe spills fast | Best of the five | No | Water-resistant, not waterproof | Waterproof planks |
| Softest and warmest | Warm to the touch | Cool. In-floor heat helps | Best of the five | Firm | Softer than tile |
| Quietest | Solid sound. Rugs help | Can echo. Rugs help | Best of the five | Good with the right underlayment | Good |
| Easiest upkeep | Sweep. Wood-safe cleaner | Easy. Mop and clean grout | Vacuum weekly | Easy. Keep it dry | Easy. Sweep and damp mop |
| How long it lasts | Solid can last generations with refinishing | Decades, with the least care | Often 10+ years | Many years | Many years |
Not Sure? That’s What the Free Visit Is For.
One person walks you through it, from samples in your room to the last piece of trim.
Visualize Your Space
Leave nothing to the imagination. Use our flooring visualizer to see our products in your space before you buy. Simply upload a photo and watch your room come to life!
