When you’re remodeling a space, flooring plays a huge role – not just in how a room looks, but how it feels, functions, and fits your life. We believe your floors should reflect your style and your needs, all while staying within your budget. Whether you’re renovating one room or your whole home, we’ll help you choose a flooring option that makes sense for your lifestyle, not just your Pinterest board.
So how do you decide between tile, wood, or vinyl? Here’s how each option stacks up.
Tile: Durable, Timeless, and Moisture-Ready
Tile has long been a go-to choice for bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, and entryways – and for good reasons. It’s durable, water-resistant, and available in endless colors, shapes, and patterns. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are particularly tough, standing up to heavy traffic and messy moments without breaking a sweat. They’re also easy to clean, which makes them a favorite for families and pet owners.
However, tile can feel cold and hard underfoot, which might not be ideal for living rooms or bedrooms unless you plan on layering it with rugs or installing radiant floor heating. The price can vary widely depending on the style you choose, and the installation process is labor-intensive – but if you’re looking for something that can handle high traffic and still look sharp for years, tile is a solid contender.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT): Budget-Friendly and Built for Life
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is made to look like wood flooring. It is a fully synthetic flooring designed to look just like wood, down to the texture and grain. It’s available in a wide range of finishes, from rustic oak to sleek walnut, all without the maintenance headaches of real wood, making it a popular choice for living rooms, bedrooms, and basements where the warmth of wood is desired but the upkeep isn’t.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), on the other hand, is designed to mimic stone or ceramic tile. It comes in square or rectangular tiles and can realistically imitate marble, slate, travertine, and other natural stone finishes – often at a fraction of the cost. LVT is particularly well-suited for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens, offering the upscale appearance of tile with the comfort and easy installation of vinyl.
Water-resistant or even fully waterproof, Luxury Vinyl is a fantastic choice for families, pet owners, or anyone updating a basement, laundry room, or high-traffic area. It’s incredibly easy to clean and requires no refinishing or sealing. It’s also budget-friendly, making it a great way to stretch your remodeling dollars further without compromising on style.
We often recommend LVP/T for clients who want a versatile, durable option that can handle real life – and still look great doing it.
Engineered Hardwood: Real Wood, Real Versatility
If you love the warmth and authenticity of hardwood floors but are concerned about budget or moisture, engineered hardwood may be your sweet spot. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered wood has a real wood veneer on top of a stable plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) core. This structure makes it more resistant to warping or swelling from seasonal humidity changes – perfect for homes in Minnesota.
Engineered hardwood offers the same look and feel as solid wood but at a more accessible price point. Depending on the thickness of the veneer, some engineered floors can even be sanded and refinished, extending their lifespan and giving you more design flexibility over time.
This flooring is a great choice for main level living spaces, bedrooms, and even kitchens if you want that natural wood look but need a bit more performance and affordability.
So—What’s Right for Your Space?
While flooring should fit your lifestyle and budget, it also often comes down to the type of room you’re remodeling. Certain materials naturally lend themselves to specific spaces, but that doesn’t mean you’re locked into tradition.
Hardwood, especially engineered hardwood, is a popular choice for kitchens and main living areas, thanks to its warmth, natural beauty, and ability to elevate the overall look of a space. It brings a polished, timeless feel to open-concept layouts and blends well with a variety of cabinetry and design styles.
Tile remains a classic go-to for bathrooms, not just for its water resistance but for the design possibilities. Whether you’re going for spa-like serenity or a bold, modern vibe, tile handles the humidity and cleans up easily – making it both practical and beautiful.
Luxury Vinyl Plank/Tile (LVP/T) is a favorite in mudrooms, basements, and laundry areas, where moisture, dirt, and daily wear are part of the routine. Its durability and low-maintenance appeal make it an ideal choice for busy households.
That said, these “popular pairings” aren’t rules, they’re starting points. If you want tile in your kitchen, hardwood in your bathroom (yes, it’s doable with the right prep), or vinyl throughout, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision that matches both your needs and your style. No matter what direction you take, our priority is to help you create a space that looks great, functions beautifully, and fits your budget.
Let’s build a space that’s made for you – starting from the ground up. Send us a message on our Contact Card, or give us a call at 651-735-8367
