Compare Flooring Types

The more you know

There are so many flooring choices…Carpeting, Ceramic Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl, area rugs, the list goes on and on. Our carpet and flooring Showrooms turn too many decisions into endless options. We'll help you choose the discount flooring that best fits your lifestyle and installation requirements.

Carpet

Carpeting offers a broad price range and selection to meet most decorating styles and budgets. Our carpet suppliers and distributers provide fibers varying in make (nylon, olefin, polyester or wool) and corresponding degrees of wear and stain resistance, resilience and cleanability. We also offer many carpet style options, including saxony, plush, texture, cut-loop, level loop, multi-level loop and frieze.

Fiber TypeWear ResistanceStain ResistanceResilienceCleanabilityComments
Wool CarpetVery GoodLow unless treatedExcellentGoodStandard by which other carpet fibers are judged; low resistance to static unless treated; expensive.
Nylon CarpetExcellentMost are treated to enhance stain resistanceVery goodVery goodMost popular carpet fiber; good static control; suitable for almost any application
SmartStrand CarpetExcellentBuilt-in stain resistance; won’t wash off or wear offVery GoodVery GoodCrafted from cutting-edge, natural based fibers; exceptionally soft and durable. Withstands heavy foot traffic and repels liquids/spills.
Polypropylene OlefinVery goodExcellent inherent stain resistanceTestTestSecond most popular fiber; best suited to loop pile constructions or high, very dense, cut piles
Polyester CarpetVery GoodBuilt-in-stain resistance to certain types of acid dyesFairGoodBetter suited to low traffic areas such as bedrooms and living room.

Laminate

High-performance laminate has the ability to simulate wood or tile floors, and is extremely durable and easy to clean with either a damp cloth or vacuum. Laminate flooring can also be praised for what it doesn't do: scuff, wear-through, burn, get scratched by pets, indent from normal family wear and lose color. This is a solid choice for moisture and family-prone areas as well as design appeal.

Ceramic tiles, stone floors, and glass flooring

This group of flooring combines nature and elegance with easy maintenance and indestructibility. The wide array of style choices, from glazed or unglazed ceramic tiles to various textures and colors of stone floors these flooring options provide a distinctive look perfect for moisture-prone and heavy-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, foyers and laundry rooms.

Vinyl

Vinyl is enjoying a fashion resurgence due to their easy maintenance and durability in widespread applications throughout the home.

  • Sheet Vinyl: Available in 6 foot, 12 foot, and 13.2 foot widths and in any length
  • Vinyl Tile Squares: Rich, luxurious and perfect for the finest interiors
  • Colors and Styles: From warm and subtle to bold and bright and available in an extensive variety of color combos, patterns, designs and textures
  • Performance: Great for busy areas and years of carefree beauty, vinyl is available in good, better and best categories to meet every budget

Hardwood

Create a rich, elegant look with natural hardwood. Whether solid or engineered, hardwood brings a warm, inviting look to any room in the home.

  • Solid Wood: This popular hardwood choice consists of one-piece boards typically nailed to a subfloor. Solid wood comes both unfinished and in a variety of pre-stained color options to suit any taste.
  • Engineered Wood: Consists of two or more layers of wood laminated together; the top layer a veneer and the lower layer a softwood backing. Most engineered wood floors are prefinished and glued rather than nailed down. Or, they can be installed as floating floors with the panel edges glued together rather than attached directly to the subfloor. It can also be glued directly to concrete making it more suitable for below-grade applications.

Either option is available in three formats: wood strip, wider width planks or parquet squares.

Area Rugs

Area rugs bring instant, long-lasting warmth to hard surface floors. The almost infinite range of sizes, colors, patterns, textures, area rugs also help to cut down on noise level and bring an entire room together. From Persian to Oriental and traditional to contemporary, rugs protect hard floors and enhance your decor.

Cushions

Visit our floor cushion page to choose your floor cushion type: Rubber, Urethane or Fiber.

Many types of cleaners are available, including dry cleaners, spray-on foam cleaners and wet shampoo. Make sure you choose a cleaner specifically made for carpets. Always test cleaner in an inconspicuous area of the carpet before use. Avoid any products meant for hard surfaces such as wood or tile. When choosing a professional carpet cleaner, ask for a reference and/or a firm estimate.

Treating spills

The number one rule in treating spills: Act immediately! Don't let the spill set or it may never come out.

Follow these three steps to remove even the toughest stain

  1. Apply-a damp, white paper towel soaked in a cleaning solution to the spot (see list of solutions below); never wet the carpet through to the backing.
  2. Blot-press straight down with a white paper towel-DO NOT RUB; place a 1/2" thick pad of white paper towels with a weight on top and leave overnight if necessary.
  3. Scrape-from the outside edge of the spot toward the center

Treat spills with one of the following approved cleaning solutions:

  • Detergent: Mix 1/2 tsp. clear dishwashing detergent with one cup warm water
  • Pre-soak: Mix 1 tsp. enzyme laundry product (such as Axion or Biz) with one cup water
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide (3% strength, available in drug stores) with 1 tsp. household ammonia. Use within two hours.
  • Ammonia: Undiluted household ammonia
  • Dry powder cleaner:
  • Dry cleaning solvent: Non-oily, non-caustic type sold for garment spot removal (caution: may be flammable)

TREATING STAINS ON VARIOUS FLOORING SURFACES

Use the following charts as a general guideline for treating stains on various types of flooring.

Carpet

Beverage
Detergent solution, ammonia solution or white vinegar
Blood
Cold spot setting solution followed by ammonia solution and warm water rinse
Candle Wax
Run an iron on low setting over a clean, white towel or dried wax, , repeat with clean sections of towel until wax is gone.
Chocolate
Dry-cleaning fluid, white vinegar, detergent or ammonia
Coffee
Warm white vinegar or light detergent and water.
Crayon
Dry-cleaning fluid or detergent solution
Gum
Soften with hair dryer and use plastic glove to lift from carpet. Use dry-cleaning fluid to remove any remaining residue.
Ink
Nail polish remover, dry-cleaning solution, detergent or white vinegar solution
Latex Paint
Detergent or ammonia solution
Lipstick
Nail polish remover, dry cleaning fluid, or a mix of detergent and water, ammonia and water or white vinegar and water
Nail Polish
Detergent solution or Nail polish remover
Pet Stains
Detergent solution, white vinegar or ammonia solution
Rust
Mix a solution of equal parts light detergent or white vinegar and water
Shoe Polish
Nail polish remover, dry-cleaning fluid or detergent solution

Vinyl Flooring

Candle Wax
Allow to dry and scrape with a thin, plastic spatula
Crayon
Mineral spirits or commercial cleaner
Grape Juice
Undiluted Bleach.
Heel Marks
Non-abrasive household cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or pencil eraser.
Magic Marker
Mineral spirits, nail polish remover, or rubbing alcohol
Paint
If wet, use mineral spirits. If dry, scrape with a thin, plastic spatula
Pen Ink
Mineral spirits, rubbing alcohol or citrus-based cleaner.
Rust
One part oxalic acid to 10 parts water (follow mfg's instructions)
Shoe Polish
Citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits
Tar
Citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits

Laminate Flooring

Candle Wax
Allow to dry and scrape with a thin, plastic spatula
Crayon
Mineral spirits or commercial cleaner
Grape Juice
Undiluted Bleach.
Heel Marks
Non-abrasive household cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or pencil eraser.
Magic Marker
Mineral spirits, nail polish remover, or rubbing alcohol
Paint
If wet, use mineral spirits. If dry, scrape with a thin, plastic spatula
Pen Ink
Mineral spirits, rubbing alcohol or citrus-based cleaner.
Rust
One part oxalic acid to 10 parts water (follow mfg's instructions)
Shoe Polish
Citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits
Tar
Citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits

Ceramic Tile

Cigarette Burns
Gently scour with steel wool. Polish clean tile with paste wax.
Grease
Commercial spot lifter
Gum
Harden with ice, then remove with thin, plastic spatula
Ink, Blood, Juice, Coffee
3% hydrogen peroxide or a non-bleach cleaner
Nail Polish
Nail polish remover
Oil-Based Products
Mild solvent followed by solution of poultice and household cleaner
Rust
Commercial rust remover made for fabric. Remove any remaining residue with household cleaner.

Hardwood Stains

Blood
Gently scour with steel wool. Polish clean tile with paste wax.
Dye
One part chlorine bleach, two parts water
Grease/Oil
Use newspaper or paper towels to remove excess, then place cloth saturated with dry cleaning fluid on stain for five minutes. Wipe area dry, wash with detergent and water.
Ink
Warm water and mild detergent
Rust
Commercial rust remover
Urine
Hot, damp cloth and mild scouring powder. Use 10-1 solution of diluted liquid bleach

Hardwood Surface Repair

Bubbles
Gently sand and recoat light damage. For heavy bubbling, sand, stain and refinish
Cigarette Burns
Rub with fine steel wool or scrape burned area. Wax or sand, stain and refinish
Dents
Cover with damp cloth and press with electric iron
Heel Marks
Wood cleaner or wax
Mold, Mildew
Floor cleaner. Remove and refinish stained wood fibers
Pet Stains or Ink
Wood cleaner followed by mild bleach or household vinegar
Scratches
Wax area or use a thin coat of dusting spray rubbed into scratch
Seasonal Cracks
Use a humidifier during dry seasons
Water Spots
Buff lightly with finest grade steel wool, then wax. For stubborn stains, use fine sandpaper, stain and recoat.

The Floor Trader Showrooms are independently owned and operated. Prices, products and services provided may vary by location.