As well as being one of the most practical installations of your home, getting regular use every single day, the floor plays an important role in adding style and atmosphere. There are so many different floor types and finishes each offering a different effect for the space it resides in.

However, finding the right option is a difficult task with so many prices, materials and design variations on offer. We’ve outlined six of the most popular options and outlined the pros and cons of each.

Hardwood

Sometimes known as ‘parquet’, which refers to the traditional geometric patterns that timber slabs are laid out in, hardwood floors are a popular material choice that offers universal appeal.

Timelessly stylish arrangements and tones offer both style, comfort and practicality, especially with some of the more unique and expensive wood types. Unfortunately, natural woods like walnut, oak and cherry aren’t exactly cheap and their durability isn’t as great as other floor options.

For spaces that get a lot of daily usage, especially with young children, hardwood floors are prone to scratches and liquid stains. However, with a decent varnish and some regular maintenance, you can sustain your floor aesthetic and integrity for years to come.

Marble

While hardwood is perfect for heritage aesthetics and rustic spaces, marble is the go-to option for more classy and sophisticated spaces. This is largely due to the elegant and unique veining and subtle, sleek colours that can be achieved. It also helps that this floor option can be incredibly expensive – creating a luxury image.

Marble is also a versatile material that can be used for many different spaces, with colours and designs to match almost any interior design project. And unless you plan on dropping some seriously heavy objects onto the surface, the durability is excellent and cracking is unlikely to occur after installation.

Porcelain tiles

Porcelain tiles are great for areas that require waterproof flooring such as kitchens and bathrooms. As they are strong and porous, they are resistant to liquids and hard to crack. While these characteristics are great for any home, tiles are often let down when poor adhesives or grouts are used, which can lead to them popping up over time.

A huge number of tile designs can be implemented varying from intricate geometrics to standard black and white chequered tiles.

Vinyl

Sometimes referred to as the ‘poor man’s tile’ vinyl is actually emerging as popular floor material for both cost conscious homeowners and interior design specialists who appreciate the materials ability to offer long term durability, value for money and pleasing floor styles that can be tailored to match almost any interior space.

However, when it comes to eco-friendliness, vinyl flooring doesn’t hold up so well as it is mostly made out of PVC, which is harmful to the environment when burned. If this is a concern of yours and you still like the idea of vinyl, look for less damaging options which are increasingly available today.

Cement Screed

The interior design and construction industry’s love affair with liquid cement screed and other polished concrete floor options is still very much alive. It is by far the best option for homeowners trying to create an urban industrial feel, offering both seamless durability and performance as well as warmth and style when paired with complementary rugs and fabrics.

There are many options on the market today with firms specialising in certain processes and coats, so it’s really worth doing your research into what your contractors can offer.

If you’re looking for cement screed in Berkshire due to the increased popularity, you’ll find a number of suppliers who can offer bespoke floor preparation and liquid screed services that can match your home design perfectly.

Engineered wood

Engineered wood is mainly comprised of compressed plywood. While this offers high durability, it fails in most people’s eyes to contend with its more authentic cousin; natural hardwood. Nevertheless, it’s cheaper, hard wearing, easy to install and depending on your preferences, still pleasing to the eyes