Comparisons & Costs

Type of Material	Advantages	Disadvantages	Maintenance	Material Cost	Installed Cost
Stone	Honed, brushed, and flamed finishes are extremely durable; beautiful, natural aesthetic; natural variation.	Higher cost; some varieties (e.g. marble and limestone) are absorbent; difficult to repair; needs to be sealed; can be slippery.	Place walk-off mats at entryways; avoid cleaners that are abrasive or contain harsh chemicals; regularly dust-mop the floor.	$$$$	$$$$
Tile	Extremely durable; water and stain resistant; extensive selection of shapes, colors, and textures; damage/scratches are less like to be evident.	Grout lines may require special attention to remove surface dirt; can be slippery when wet, especially glossy tiles.	Often can be swept clean, beyond that damp-mopping with a mild cleaner such as Miraclean should do the trick; place walk-off mats at entryways.	$ – $$$	$$$
Engineered Hardwood	Shrinks and expands less than solid wood; quicker installation; can be installed in below grade areas; consistent, factory-applied stain and sealer.	Usually can only be refinished once or twice.	Regular sweeping; place protective pads on the bottoms of chair and table legs; place walk-off mats at entryways; remove scuff marks by using a cloth with hardwood floor cleaner.	$$ – $$$	$$
Solid Hardwood	Resists wear; long-lasting; provides a warm look; can be refinished.	Can be damaged by moisture; softer woods may dent; may darken over time in direct sunlight; finishes may wear unevenly and be difficult to repair; can shrink and expand.	Regular sweeping; place protective pads on the bottoms of chair and table legs; place walk-off mats at entryways; remove scuff marks by using a cloth with hardwood floor cleaner.	$$ – $$$	$$
Bamboo	More quickly renewable resource than wood; strong; contemporary & clean.	May darken or fade when exposed to sunlight; avoid exposure to moisture.	Place walk-off mats at entryways; place protective pads on the bottoms of chairs and table legs; regular sweeping and dust mopping; clean up spills immediately; use only manufacturer-recommended cleaners.	$$ – $$$	$$
Cork	Natural, soft, warm; mildew resistant; contemporary look; stain and water resistant; ease of cleaning; polyurethane finish lasts up to 7 years before refinishing is required.	Due to absorbency, should not be used in high-moisture areas;	Place walk-off mats at entryways; place protective pads on the bottoms of chairs and table legs; regular sweeping and dust mopping (no wet mopping); clean up spills immediately; use only manufacturer-recommended cleaners.	$$	$$
Synthetic Nylon Carpet & Rugs	Extremely resistant to stains if treated; great factory- availability of colors; very durable.	Made from petroleum products; does not resist crushing from furniture and foot traffic as well as wool.	Regular vacuuming; clean up spills; place walk-off mats at entryways; professional cleaning is recommended every 12-18 months.	$ – $$	$$
Vinyl Tile	Durable; ease of cleaning; less expensive, ease of repair, easy installation.	Possibility exists for moisture to seep into seams between tiles.	Place walk-off mats at entryways; regular sweeping and dust-mopping; clean up spills immediately; use only manufacturer-recommended cleaners.	$	$
Wool Carpet & Rugs	Strong and durable but still very soft; naturally stain resistant; flame retardant; provides warmth in summer and cooling in winter; helps to reduce ambient noise; hypoallergenic and antibacterial.	Generally more expensive than synthetic carpet and rugs made of synthetic nylon and other petroleum based fibers.	Regular vacuuming; clean up spills; place walk-off mats at entryways; professional cleaning is recommended every 12-18 months.	$$$ – $$$$	$$

Note: the $ signs represent a price range. A single $ represents low cost, while four $ represent the highest cost.