A-1 Flooring Store · Buyer's Guide
Which
Flooring Is
Right for You?
Every flooring type has its strengths. We carry them all — so our only agenda is helping you find the one that fits your space, your life, and your budget. Here's an honest breakdown.
Hardwood
CLASSIC CHOICE
"Timeless, adds home value, lasts generations — but requires care and investment."
BEST FOR: Living rooms, Bedrooms, Dining rooms, Long-term homeowners, Resale value
COST
Higher upfront — mid to premium range
DURABILITY
Decades with proper care; can be refinished
MAINTENANCE
Sweep regularly, avoid excess moisture
COMFORT
Firm underfoot; warmer than tile
VALUE
Strongest ROI of any flooring type
Pros ✓
Increases home resale value more than any other flooring
Can be sanded and refinished multiple times — it's a true lifetime floor
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Each plank is unique — natural grain patterns never look mass-produced
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Improves with age; develops character over time
Hypoallergenic — doesn't trap dust, dander, or allergens
Cons ✘
Higher upfront cost than most alternatives
Not suitable for wet areas — bathrooms, basements
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Scratches from pets, furniture, and heavy foot traffic
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Can expand and contract with humidity — needs acclimation
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Requires more involved maintenance than vinyl
Pros ↗
Homeowners planning to stay long-term and want lasting value
Anyone selling a home and wants maximum appeal to buyers
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People who love the look and warmth of real wood
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Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms — main living areas
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Those willing to invest more upfront to avoid replacing it
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
MOST POPULAR
"The practical all-rounder — waterproof, durable, and surprisingly convincing wood look."
BEST FOR: Kitchens, Bathrooms, Basements, Families & pets, Rental properties, Whole-home installs
COST
Budget to mid-range; very accessible
DURABILITY
Excellent; resists scratches and dents
MAINTENANCE
Easiest to clean of any flooring
COMFORT
Softer than tile; some built-in padding
VALUE
Good — neutral and wide appeal
Pros ✓
100% waterproof — safe for kitchens, bathrooms, basements
Realistic wood look without the wood price tag
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Stands up to pets, kids, and high foot traffic
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Can be installed over most existing floors — lower install cost
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Wide variety of styles, colors, and plank widths
Cons ✘
Cannot be refinished — must be replaced when worn
Can feel hollow or less substantial underfoot vs. real wood
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Lower-end products can look noticeably synthetic
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Can be damaged by very heavy furniture or sharp objects
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Doesn't add as much resale value as real hardwood
Pros ↗
Families with young children or pets
Anyone wanting wood look without wood price or wood risk
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Basements, mudrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms
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Rental property owners who need durability and low upkeep
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Whole-house installs on a budget
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
TILE-LOOK VINYL
"All the waterproof toughness of LVP, in a tile format — without the cold or the grout."
BEST FOR: Bathrooms, Laundry rooms, Entryways, Grout-haters, Cold climates
COST
Similar to LVP — budget friendly
DURABILITY
Durable; resists water, stains, scratches
MAINTENANCE
No grout to clean — major advantage
COMFORT
Warmer than ceramic tile underfoot
VALUE
Good; neutral and clean-looking
Pros ✓
Looks like stone or ceramic tile without the cold underfoot
No grout — dramatically easier to clean than real tile
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100% waterproof — great for wet areas
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Easier and cheaper to install than ceramic
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Comfortable in bare feet — no cold shock in winter
Cons ✘
Cannot be refinished — tiles must be replaced when worn
Less authentic look than real stone or ceramic up close
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Individual tiles can lift or gap over time in high traffic
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Less variety of styles compared to LVP
Pros ↗
Bathrooms and laundry rooms where warmth matters
Anyone who loves the tile look but hates cleaning grout
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Older homes where radiant heat or cold floors are an issue
Renters and landlords who need easy upkeep
Ceramic & Porcelain Tile
THE REAL THING
"The gold standard for wet areas — durable, authentic, and virtually permanent."
BEST FOR: Bathrooms & showers, Kitchens, Entryways, Commercial spaces, Radiant homes
COST
Mid-range; installation adds cost
DURABILITY
Essentially permanent if maintained
MAINTENANCE
Grout requires regular sealing and cleaning
COMFORT
Cold and hard underfoot — rugs help
VALUE
Highly valued in kitchens & baths
Pros ✓
Virtually indestructible — lasts the life of the building
Authentic look and feel that vinyl can't fully replicate
Huge range of styles — from simple subway to large-format stone
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Completely waterproof; ideal for showers and wet areas
Works with radiant floor heating
Cons ✘
Cold and hard underfoot — uncomfortable for long standing
Grout lines require regular sealing and cleaning
Installation is labor-intensive — higher install cost
Cracked tiles are difficult to match and replace
Slippery when wet without textured finish
Pros ↗
Bathrooms, showers, and kitchen backsplashes
Homeowners who want "done once, done forever."
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Anyone who wants the authentic look of stone or ceramic
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Homes with radiant floor heating systems
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Commercial spaces with extreme foot traffic
Carpet
COMFORT FIRST
"Nothing beats carpet for warmth, quiet, and underfoot comfort — especially in bedrooms."
BEST FOR: Bedrooms, Basements, Apartments, Young children, Budget installs, Sound reduction
COST
One of the most affordable options
DURABILITY
5–15 years depending on traffic & quality
MAINTENANCE
Vacuuming + occasional deep clean
Softest underfoot of any flooring
VALUE
Neutral — buyers often replace it
Pros ✓
Warmest and softest underfoot — unmatched comfort
Absorbs sound — great for upstairs rooms and apartments
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One of the most affordable flooring options overall
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Safe for kids — cushions falls, non-slip surface
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Wide variety of colors, textures, and pile heights
Cons ✘
Stains easily — requires prompt cleanup and periodic deep cleaning
Not suitable for wet areas or high-moisture rooms
Traps allergens, pet hair, and dust — harder to keep truly clean
Shorter lifespan than hard flooring options
Can look worn in high-traffic areas within a few years
Pros ↗
Bedrooms — warmth and quiet underfoot matter most here
Families with young children who play on the floor
Apartments and condos where sound transmission is an issue
Anyone on a tight budget who needs to cover a lot of square footage
Basement rec rooms and media rooms
Laminate
BUDGET WOOD LOOK
"An affordable wood-look option that holds up well in dry areas — best in class for the price."
BEST FOR: Living rooms, Bedrooms, Dry areas only, Tight budgets, Short-term installs
COST
Very affordable — lowest cost wood look
DURABILITY
Good in dry areas; 10–25 year lifespan
MAINTENANCE
Easy to sweep and damp mop
COMFORT
Click-lock layer adds cushion
VALUE
Modest — buyers often prefer wood
Pros ✓
Most affordable way to get a wood-look floor
Scratch-resistant surface layer holds up to everyday use
Click-lock installation — faster and cheaper to install than glue-down
Good variety of styles and finishes available
Easy to clean in dry areas
Cons ✘
Not waterproof — moisture causes swelling and warping
Cannot be refinished — replace when worn
Can sound hollow underfoot without good underlayment
Lower-end products have a noticeably artificial look
LVP has largely replaced it as the practical choice
Pros ↗
Living rooms and bedrooms where moisture isn't a concern
Tight budgets that still want a wood-look finish
Short-term situations — rentals, staging a home for sale
Rooms that don't get heavy foot traffic or spills
Specialty Floors
UNIQUE OPTIONS
"Bamboo, cork, linoleum, and athletic surfaces — each built for a specific need or value."
Bamboo & Cork
• Eco-friendly and sustainably sourced — a genuinely "green" choice
• Cork is uniquely soft and insulating — ideal for home offices and playrooms
• Bamboo rivals hardwood in hardness at a lower price
• Both are sensitive to moisture — not suitable for wet areas
• Fewer color and style options than mainstream flooring
Best for: environmentally conscious buyers, home offices, dry living areas
Linoleum & Athletic
• Linoleum is naturally antibacterial — excellent for kitchens and healthcare spaces
• Athletic surfaces are impact-absorbing — built specifically for gyms and sport courts
• Both are extremely durable in their target applications
• Niche products — not suitable for general residential use
• Limited aesthetic variety compared to mainstream options
Best for: commercial kitchens, home gyms, rec centers, utility spaces
Not sure if a specialty floor is right for your project? Come into the showroom — we'll walk you through what makes sense for your space, your lifestyle, and your budget. No pressure, just honest advice.
