I’m Josie, the Remodeling Designer and Office Manager here at AP. At 21, I’ve grown up around construction and design, and now I have the privilege of leading our creative process and connecting with clients to bring their dream spaces to life. I also create 3D renderings for our client projects to help them visualize the finished design before we even begin. On top of that, I manage our marketing and social presence—so if you’ve seen our work online, I probably had a hand in sharing it!
My roots run deep in Jacksonville, but my story is also shaped by my family’s journey. My parents immigrated from Albania and now work alongside me every day. Together, we’ve built more than just beautiful homes—we’ve built a company grounded in hard work, integrity, and a genuine love for what we do.
Choosing the right flooring is one of the most impactful decisions a homeowner can make. Beyond aesthetics, flooring affects comfort, durability, insulation, and resale value. With numerous material options and installation techniques available today, it can be overwhelming to determine the best fit for your specific needs.
Questions about home flooring often arise: Which materials are best for high-traffic areas? How does vinyl compare to hardwood in terms of maintenance? What’s the most budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality? These are just a few of the many considerations homeowners have when evaluating their flooring choices.
This comprehensive flooring guide for the home breaks down each primary type, explores proper installation methods, and provides long-term care tips to help preserve your investment. Whether designing a dream home or renovating a single room, this guide gives you clarity and confidence.
Understanding Flooring Materials: Weighing Pros, Cons, and Best Uses
Different flooring materials serve various functions. What works beautifully in a cozy bedroom might fall short in a damp basement. Knowing the strengths and limitations of each type helps you make the right choice the first time.
Solid Hardwood: A Traditional Favorite With Natural Character
Few materials rival hardwood for its classic charm and warmth. Solid planks of oak, walnut, or maple add texture and depth to a room. Acacia, an increasingly popular exotic hardwood, stands out with its dramatic color variation and resilience.
Acacia flooring durability is particularly noteworthy. Its dense grain structure resists dents and scratches better than many domestic hardwoods, making it ideal for busy households or homes with pets. Hardwood, however, requires a dry indoor environment and occasional refinishing to maintain its appeal over the decades.
Vinyl: Waterproof, Affordable, and Highly Adaptable
Vinyl flooring comes in sheets, tiles, and planks. It mimics the look of wood or stone while offering water resistance and affordability. Vinyl plank flooring, in particular, combines comfort underfoot with rugged durability.
Recent advances have dramatically improved the durability of vinyl flooring, especially in higher-end LVP (luxury vinyl plank) products. These can withstand heavy foot traffic, resist spills, and tolerate temperature changes, making them suitable for kitchen renovations and basements.
Laminate: Budget-Friendly With Visual Realism
Using a high-resolution photographic layer beneath a tough protective coating, laminate imitates the appearance of wood or tile. While it lacks the water resistance of vinyl, laminate is a viable choice for dry areas, such as living rooms, dining rooms, or home offices.
Due to its easy-to-install floating floor, it’s also a common choice for DIY renovations. However, heavy spills or standing water can warp its fiberboard core, making it unsuitable for bathroom renovations or entryways.
Porcelain and Ceramic Tile: Durable, Clean, and Timeless
Tile flooring excels in areas exposed to moisture or heavy usage. It is available in numerous styles and finishes, allowing it to look rustic, modern, industrial, or traditional. More water-resistant than ceramic porcelain, tile is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Grout sealing is crucial for protecting against staining and mildew. Although tile offers excellent longevity, it can feel hard or cold underfoot without the addition of area rugs or radiant heating systems.
Engineered Wood: The Best of Both Worlds
Engineered hardwood offers the beauty of real wood with enhanced structural stability. A veneer of real wood sits atop layers of plywood, allowing it to resist warping due to humidity changes better than solid wood.
It can be glued, nailed, or installed as a floating floor. While not quite as long-lasting as solid hardwood, it’s more versatile in placement, such as over radiant heating or concrete slabs.
Epoxy Flooring: Durable, Seamless, and Industrial-Grade
Epoxy creates a glossy, seamless surface when applied over a concrete base. Once cured, it forms a highly durable finish that resists staining, chemicals, abrasion, and moisture.
Epoxy flooring durability makes it ideal for garages, basements, laundry rooms, or home workshops. New decorative additives, such as metallic pigments or color flakes, enable epoxy to blend seamlessly into modern living spaces, particularly in minimalist or industrial-style homes.
Best Flooring Options for Home: Tailoring Choices to Each Room
No single material suits every space. Evaluate conditions room by room, considering factors such as moisture exposure, foot traffic, comfort needs, and ease of cleaning.
- Living room: Engineered wood or laminate provides warmth and character. Area rugs can define space and add comfort.
- Kitchen: Opt for waterproof options, such as tile or vinyl. These resist spills, are easy to clean, and handle dropped pans or food messes.
- Bedroom: Carpet, laminate, or engineered wood fosters a cozy, quiet atmosphere.
- Bathroom: Vinyl or porcelain tile withstands humidity and splashes, offering a visual appeal.
- Basement: Moisture-resistant choices, such as vinyl, tile, or epoxy, perform best below grade.
- Foyer and mudroom: Durable and easy-to-clean materials, such as porcelain tile or epoxy, prevent water damage and shoe wear.
Selecting the best flooring options for a home requires balancing aesthetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. High-traffic or damp areas require more resilient surfaces, while bedrooms and offices can accommodate softer, less water-resistant materials.
Home Flooring Installation: Choosing the Right Method for Each Material
Installation plays a vital role in performance and longevity. Even the best flooring can underperform if installed incorrectly. Each type has its preferred technique, preparation steps, and equipment needs.
Floating Installation: Quick, Clean, and Glue-Free
Floating floors don’t attach to the subfloor. Instead, the planks lock together using click-and-lock systems. Laminate, engineered wood, and LVP commonly use this method. It requires underlayment and a flat, clean surface but offers straightforward installation and replacement.
Glue-Down Method: Firm, Permanent Bond
Glue-down flooring applies directly to the subfloor using strong adhesives. This method creates a stable, sound-absorbing floor and is often used for engineered wood or vinyl tile. It’s more time-intensive and usually performed by professionals.
Nail or Staple-Down: Traditional for Solid Hardwood
Nailing or stapling secures solid wood or thicker engineered planks to a wood subfloor. It ensures lasting placement but requires precision and special tools, including a flooring nailer or stapler.
Thinset and Grout: Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Tile installation utilizes mortar (also known as thinset) to adhere tiles to the substrate. After setting, grout fills the joints for strength and water resistance. The process involves spacing tiles, leveling surfaces, and allowing ample curing time.
Epoxy Pouring: Surface Preparation Is Key
Before applying epoxy, the concrete base must be cleaned, etched, and sometimes patched to ensure a smooth surface. The two-part resin is poured and spread evenly. Proper mixing, ventilation, and drying times are critical for a successful finish.
Maintenance for Longevity: Cleaning Techniques and Preventative Tips
Proper care preserves appearance and prevents costly repairs. Here’s how to care for the most popular flooring types:
- Hardwood and engineered wood: Sweep regularly with a soft-bristle broom. Use wood-safe cleaners. Wipe spills immediately to prevent swelling. Periodically recoat or refinish to maintain surface protection.
- Vinyl and laminate: Vacuum or mop with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner. Avoid wax, polish, or steam mops. Use furniture pads to prevent scratches.
- Tile: Clean with mild detergent and reseal grout lines annually. Check for cracks or loose tiles to prevent water damage from occurring underneath.
- Epoxy: Sweep dust and debris. Mop with ammonia-free cleaner. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or acid-based products.
Keeping floors clean reduces wear from grit, sand, and spills. Placing rugs at entryways and pads under furniture also helps extend the life of any surface.
Enhance Your Home Remodeling and Flooring Projects with AP Advanced
Planning a home remodel or addition? AP Advanced offers comprehensive remodeling services beyond flooring, helping you create cohesive, beautiful spaces that fit your lifestyle. At our showroom in Jacksonville, our expert team provides personalized support through every phase—from design consultation and material selection to professional installation.
Whether upgrading floors or expanding your living area, AP Advanced’s showroom features a curated selection of flooring options, custom cabinetry, and finishes that perfectly complement your vision. Our attention to detail and commitment to quality make us an ideal partner for projects that require seamless integration of new flooring with overall home improvements.
With AP Advanced, your remodeling and flooring upgrades become a unified transformation that elevates your home’s value, comfort, and style.
Flooring Decisions That Support Long-Term Satisfaction
The best surface choices reflect your lifestyle, budget, and design sensibilities. The right material adds comfort and elegance while withstanding the demands of daily living. This flooring guide for home explores a full range of options—from natural wood grains to high-tech resin finishes—helping you make informed decisions for every room.
Durable choices, such as vinyl or epoxy, offer peace of mind for families with pets or children. Those drawn to timeless luxury often gravitate toward hardwood, especially acacia, for its balance of beauty and strength. In moisture-prone areas, tile remains the leading choice in both style and practicality. Ultimately, selecting a resilient surface means matching the material to your lifestyle and the specific conditions of the space.
Long-term satisfaction depends on pairing the right product with innovative installation practices and consistent care. Whether you’re drawn to acacia’s endurance, vinyl’s practicality, or epoxy’s toughness, this guide helps ensure your investment remains beautiful and functional for years to come.