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Flooring material selector

By , Editor Last reviewed

Pick the room and its conditions. You'll see which flooring suits it, which needs a closer look, and which to avoid. Every reason links to the manufacturer or industry guide it comes from.

Your room

Room
Conditions

Then measure up with the flooring calculator.

Suitable here

– of 7 materials

  • Check the product first–
  • Not recommended–
Calculate boxes & cost

Materials for living room, bedroom or dining

Solid hardwood Suitable

One piece of wood top to bottom; can be sanded and refinished many times.

  • Can be used in any room on or above ground. (NWFA)

Engineered hardwood Suitable

A real-wood top layer over a layered core; more dimensionally stable than solid.

  • Can be installed on or above grade. (Bruce)

Laminate Suitable

A photographic wood or stone look over a fiberboard core, usually click-together.

  • Fine for dry living areas; follow the product’s moisture and acclimation rules. (Pergo)

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) Suitable

Rigid or flexible vinyl planks with a printed wear layer; many are waterproof.

Porcelain tile Suitable

Dense, impervious tile: water absorption of 0.5% or less by definition.

  • Impervious: water absorption of 0.5% or less, so it suits wet rooms and floor drains. (TCNA)

Ceramic tile Suitable

Tile that absorbs more water than porcelain; ratings vary by product.

  • A durable hard surface for most rooms; check the rating on the box. (TCNA)

Carpet Suitable

Soft and warm underfoot; holds moisture if it gets wet.

  • Fine for dry bedrooms and living areas.

Room-by-room summary

RoomSuitableCheck the productNot recommended
Living room, bedroom or diningSolid hardwood, Engineered hardwood, Laminate, Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), Porcelain tile, Ceramic tile, Carpet——
KitchenSolid hardwood, Engineered hardwood, Laminate, Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), Porcelain tile, Ceramic tile—Carpet
Full bathroom (with tub or shower)Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), Porcelain tileLaminate, Ceramic tileSolid hardwood, Engineered hardwood, Carpet
Half bath / powder roomSolid hardwood, Engineered hardwood, Laminate, Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), Porcelain tile, Ceramic tile—Carpet
Basement (below ground level)Engineered hardwood, Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), Porcelain tile, Ceramic tileLaminate, CarpetSolid hardwood
Entry, mudroom or laundrySolid hardwood, Engineered hardwood, Laminate, Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), Porcelain tile, Ceramic tile—Carpet

Assumes no floor drain and a dry slab. Tick those boxes above to see how the answers change.

Before you buy

Common questions

Can you put hardwood in a basement?

Not solid hardwood: NWFA says solid wood can be used in rooms on or above ground. Engineered hardwood can go below grade, which makes it the wood option for basements. Test the concrete for moisture first.

What is the best flooring for a bathroom?

Porcelain tile is impervious by definition (water absorption of 0.5% or less, per TCNA), and waterproof luxury vinyl plank is also used in bathrooms, with silicone caulk around the perimeter. Solid and engineered hardwood aren’t for full bathrooms (Bruce).

Is laminate waterproof?

Standard laminate isn’t for showers, saunas or rooms with a floor drain (Pergo). Some water-resistant lines are rated for humid areas, so check the specific product.

What’s the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile?

Porcelain is defined as impervious tile with water absorption of 0.5% or less, measured by ASTM C373. Ceramic tile absorbs more. For wet areas, check the tile’s rating.

Should I put carpet in a basement?

Only if the slab stays dry. EPA advises against carpet where there’s a perpetual moisture problem, including concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation.

Sources

Formulas and figures last checked against these sources on. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it.