There are many different types of flooring. There is carpet, wood floors, stone and tile. Within each category there are numerous subcategories to choose from. Depending on your tastes, preferences and home décor, there is a type of flooring for you.

Carpet is the most common and most simple type of flooring. There are 4 subcategories of carpet. Carpet, like the rest of the categories, starts at the basics and work all the way up to the top. Cut-pile carpet is less resistant than other types of carpet and is on the low end of the spectrum. Berber carpet is increasing in popularity faster that any other type of carpet. It is thought that its durability and ability to hide dirt is helping its increase in sales. Carpet also comes in tiles. These are easy to install and can either be all the same tile or mixed and matched to create a patterned floor.

If carpet is not your thing, maybe wood is what you are looking for. Wood flooring is broken down into 4 categories: laminate, solid hardwood, bamboo and cork. Laminate is a material that has the look of hardwood but has no actual wood in its make up. It is very durable and versatile. Statistically, laminate is priced at half of what solid hardwood is priced at.

Solid hardwood is exactly what its name states; it is made from true hardwood. This can be from any type of wood but the most popular types are birch, cherry, maple and oak. These hardwood boards can be made into different thicknesses and different shades can be made. Bamboo and cork are the last 2 categories of wood and are relatively new to the wood market. Bamboo is another inexpensive alternative to hardwood. This type of material is long-lasting, easy to clean and ideal for allergy sufferers. Cork is a cushiony type of wood and gives an additional comfort to your floor. It is very durable as well.

The last two categories are stone and tile. These are the least used type of material for flooring but are gaining popularity as homeowners want to personalize and update their homes.

Stone is broken down into 5 categories: travertine, marble, granite, slate and limestone. Travertine is a natural stone and is easy to maintain. It is long-lasting and will increase the resale value of your home. Marble is a high end material and is a natural stone. This material is frequently used in high traffic areas because of its durability especially if it is sealed. Granite is one of the hardest stones. It is most commonly used on counters throughout the house but has been slowing making its mark on the flooring world. Slate and limestone are the last 2 categories and are both durable and both have great looks to them.

Tile is broken down into 3 categories: ceramic, glass and Saltillo. Ceramic tile can be either porcelain or non porcelain. The difference lies in their construction. Glass tile has the most creative possibilities. There is a huge variety of colors, size and shapes. Tile is usually found on walls but, like stone, is making its way to floors. Saltillo tile is a handmade tile that is sun dried and then fired in a kiln.

There are numerous types of flooring. Depending on how you want your home to look and feel, the possibilities are endless. Different types of flooring can be found at all kinds of retail stores. Stores like Lowe's or Home Depot have sections of the store dedicated to flooring and they can install your chosen flooring. If you want higher end flooring, there are specialty stores for this as well. When choosing your flooring, do your research and chose the flooring that is best for you. It will pay off in the end.