Guide to Cheap Flooring Materials

It's no secret that good flooring is an important investment in any home. But let's face it, not everyone can splurge on top-quality hardwood or marble flooring. Often, we have to settle for cheaper options-but that doesn't mean we have to give up quality. With all the materials available today, there's always an option that suits your needs without costing an arm and a leg. Like home design in general, it's all about knowing where to look and what to look for.

One of the most enduring materials is vinyl-a rubber-like material with a synthetic backing and a hard urethane layer. Vinyl floors can cost as little as $5 per square foot and still last years of regular use. They're resistant to moisture, cracking and scratches, and they're extremely easy to install. Design-wise, they're also very versatile-these days, you can find everything from faux wood and stone to funky geometric patterns.

If you're after the natural wood look, there are plenty of alternatives that cost less than half as much as real hardwood. Parquet floors are a popular choice for condos and apartments, and the "tiled" patterns give them a lot of movement and character. You can also go for laminate or bamboo flooring, which give you pretty much the same look for less. Other popular options are engineered wood, cork, and softwood flooring.

Ceramic tiles are also a popular choice for modern homes, especially now that design themes are getting more diverse. Although it's one of the cheapest on the shelf, tile floors are surprisingly durable and stylish. They stand up very well to heat, cold, moisture, dust and scratches, and you don't even have to pay for professional installation. A good tile floor can last up to 20 years of day-to-day traffic and still look brand new.

If you just want to jazz up your floor and not replace it altogether, carpets and area rugs may be a good choice. Carpets can be installed on almost any sub-floor, and it's mostly a matter of fitting them into place. If wall-to-wall carpeting is too much work, try an area rug-just throw one where you need it and move it around whenever you have to.