What Are the 3 Types of Flooring? A Simple Guide for Homeowners

With dozens of flooring materials on the market, how do you make sense of it all? It starts with knowing the three main categories.

Most homeowners walk into a flooring store and feel overwhelmed. Hardwood, vinyl, tile, laminate—where do you even begin? This guide breaks down the three types of flooring so you can narrow your choices before you shop.

Below, we explain each flooring category, what materials fall under it, and which rooms each works best in.

What Are the Three Types of Flooring?

The three types of flooring are:

1. Hard surfaces — includes tile (ceramic, porcelain), natural stone, and concrete
2. Wood and wood-look — includes solid hardwood, engineered wood, and laminate
3. Soft and resilient — includes carpet, vinyl (LVT, LVP), and rubber

Each category offers different durability, comfort, and cost for various rooms.

While many specific materials exist, these three groups cover nearly every option you will find. This framework helps you compare apples to apples when shopping. It is also how we organize our showroom floor at Profloors & Blinds in Spokane—it helps customers find options faster.

Compare all three types in person—visit our flooring showroom.

Hard Surface Flooring (Tile, Stone, Concrete)

Hard surface flooring is the most durable and water-resistant category. It works well in rooms that see moisture or heavy use.

What's included:

• Ceramic tile
• Porcelain tile
• Natural stone (marble, granite, slate)
• Concrete

Why homeowners choose hard surfaces:

• Extremely durable—tile and stone can last 50+ years with proper care
• Water-resistant, making them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways
• Easy to clean and maintain

Things to keep in mind:

• Hard underfoot and can feel cold without radiant heating
• Higher material and installation cost than other categories
• Professional install is recommended for stone and tile

We often recommend porcelain tile for bathrooms—it handles moisture better than natural stone and costs less to install. Stop by our Spokane showroom to see samples and feel the difference for yourself.

Wood and Wood-Look Flooring (Hardwood, Engineered, Laminate)

Wood flooring adds warmth and value to any home. This category includes real wood options and budget-friendly alternatives that mimic the look.

Solid Hardwood

• Real wood throughout the plank
• Can be sanded and refinished multiple times
• Adds home resale value—according to the National Wood Flooring Association, new wood flooring recovers 118% of project costs at resale
• Sensitive to moisture; not ideal for basements or bathrooms

Engineered Wood

• Real wood veneer over plywood layers
• More stable in humidity than solid hardwood
• Can be refinished 1–2 times
• Works well in below-grade spaces

Laminate

• Photo image layer over fiberboard
• Budget-friendly at $3–$8 per square foot installed
• Scratch-resistant but not waterproof
• Good for renters or starter homes

These options work best in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. If you love the hardwood look but have a basement or below-grade space, we usually steer clients toward engineered wood—it handles humidity swings better.

Explore our hardwood and laminate flooring supply to see our options

Soft and Resilient Flooring (Carpet, Vinyl, Rubber)

Soft and resilient flooring offers comfort underfoot and works well for families on a budget. This category is popular for bedrooms, playrooms, and high-moisture areas.

Carpet

• Soft, warm, and excellent for noise reduction
• Best for bedrooms, playrooms, and stairs
• Lifespan of 5–15 years depending on quality and traffic
• Requires regular vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning

Vinyl (LVT, LVP, Sheet)

• Waterproof and affordable at $4–$10 per square foot installed
• Great for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements
• Easy DIY install for handy homeowners
• Mimics wood or stone looks at a lower price

Rubber

• Durable and shock-absorbent
• Common in home gyms and playrooms
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cork and linoleum also fall into this category. Both are sustainable options worth considering if eco-friendly materials matter to you.

Luxury vinyl plank is our top seller right now—families with kids and pets love how it handles spills and scratches. See our vinyl and carpet selection at our Spokane location.

Try Our Flooring Visualizer Before You Buy

Our flooring visualizer takes out the guesswork. You can see your space changed right away.

Upload a photo of your room. Pick a product from our collection. Watch what happens instantly. The realistic picture shows you exactly how different floors will look in your actual space.

Step 1: Upload your photo. | Step 2: Pick a product. | Step 3: See the change right away!

Use the visualizer to pick your favorites online. Then ask for those specific samples to test in person. This gives you both online ease and hands-on proof.

Try the Pro Floors and Blinds Flooring Visualizer today!

How to Choose the Right Flooring Type

Picking the right flooring comes down to your room, your budget, and your lifestyle. Use this checklist to guide your decision.

1. Match flooring to room use. Consider moisture level, foot traffic, and comfort needs. Tile works for wet areas. Carpets add warmth to bedrooms. Vinyl handles busy kitchens.
   
2. Set a budget range before shopping. Hard surfaces cost the most. Wood and wood-look fall in the middle. Soft and resilient options are often the most affordable.
   
3. Request samples. Take materials home to see how they look in your lighting. Test how they feel underfoot.
   
4. Visit a local flooring store. Comparing all three types side by side helps you decide faster. Photos online do not show texture or quality.
   
5. Ask about installation. Some materials like vinyl and laminate are DIY-friendly. Tile, stone, and hardwood usually need professional install.
   

We offer free in-home estimates and sample loans at Profloors & Blinds. Stop by our Spokane showroom at 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1 to grab a few and test them in your space. Call (509) 866-6776 to schedule your appointment.