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MATERIAL
|
PRICE*
|
RATING |
DURABILITY FACTORS
|
DESIGN NOTES
|
| HARDWOOD |
$5 - $12
|
 |
Scratches and dents
Wipe spills promptly
Oak is the most durable.
|
Hardwood is still the most luxurious of the flooring surfaces, with the highest resale value. Wide planks offer a more rustic look while narrow planks are more formal. |
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ENGINEERED
HARDWOOD |
$5 - $10
|
|
Susceptible to scratches, dents and water stains, more resilient than hardwood. Can be laid over concrete. |
Looks like real hardwood, good for condos, available in a wide variety of sizes, colors and grains. |
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NATURAL
STONE |
$7 - $20
|
|
Travertine is hardest and crack resistant. Slate is softest with most color variety. Should be stains annually to resist stains. |
Limestone and travertine are considered formal while slate is more rustic.
Granite and marble are less slip resistant and are not suitable for kitchen and bathrooms. |
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| CORK |
$5 - $7
|
|
Will scratch and dent, excess moisture may cause buckling. Similar wear as laminate. |
Environmentally friendly, warm underfoot, wide range of colors. |
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| LAMINATE |
$1 - $7
|
 |
Look for high density plastic that is dent and scratch resistant. |
Higher priced options look and feel like the real thing. Cheaper versions sound and look like a reproduction. |
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CERAMIC
TILES |
$3 - $8
|
|
Chips easier than porcelain, inside color different than surface. |
Endless design possibilities with a wide variety of sizes, textures and colors. |
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| LINOLEUM |
$5 - $6
|
|
Easy to clean and requires no waxing. Available in sheets and tiles. Labour intensive - costly to install. |
Popular in laundry and mud rooms, limited in patterns, but many colors available. |
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| VINYL |
$2 - $7
|
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Choose good quality for dent, scratch and water resistance. Available in tiles and sheets, may fade in direct sunlight. |
Limited in color selection but lots of pattern choices. |
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| PORCELAIN |
$3 - $12
|
 |
Look for grade 3-5 tile for maximum durability. |
Available in many colors, finishes, shapes and sizes. A matte finish resists stains and feels like natural stone. |
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*Price is based on per foot, not including installation and underlayment if required.
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