Flooring - Flooring comparisons

The average home has about 62% of the floor space covered with carpet with the balance divided among the other surfaces. Laminate has not been included as of yet, but its characteristics are usually a hybrid between sheet vinyl and wood. Although the chart presents the average, exceptions exist. We hope these general product comparisons will help you optimize your space.

Cost Per Square Foot?
	Carpet	Low/High for Tufted Goods; High/Very High for Woven Goods
	Tile & Marble	High/Very High, Especially for Stone
	V.C.T.	Moderate
	Sheet Vinyl	Moderate/High
	Wood	Very High
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	High/Very High

Texture and Color Options?
	Carpet	Great
	Tile & Marble	Good
	V.C.T.	Moderate
	Sheet Vinyl	Good
	Wood	Good
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Great

Touch - Soft/Hard?
	Carpet	Very Soft
	Tile & Marble	Very Hard
	V.C.T.	Hard
	Sheet Vinyl	Mild Hard
	Wood	Hard
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Very Soft

Home Insulation?
	Carpet	Very Warm
	Tile & Marble	Very Cold
	V.C.T.	Very Cold
	Sheet Vinyl	Cold
	Wood	Cold
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Warm

Stain Resistance & Ease of Cleaning?
	Carpet	Moderate
	Tile & Marble	Great for Tile; Good for Stone
	V.C.T.	Good
	Sheet Vinyl	Good
	Wood	Good
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Moderate

Acceptable Installation Locations?
	Carpet	Indoor & Outdoor
	Tile & Marble	Indoor & Outdoor
	V.C.T.	Indoor
	Sheet Vinyl	Indoor
	Wood	Indoor
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Indoor

Residential Installation Time?
	Carpet	1-2 Days
	Tile & Marble	2+ Days
	V.C.T.	1-2 Days
	Sheet Vinyl	1 Day
	Wood	1+ Day
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	30 Minutes

Follow-Up Finish?
	Carpet	Vacuum 4 Hours Later
	Tile & Marble	Seal Grout 1 Week Later
	V.C.T.	Wax 10 Days Later
	Sheet Vinyl	Mop 3 Days Later
	Wood	Swept or Buffed
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	N/A

Prestige & Affluence?
	Carpet	Moderate/Good for Tufted Goods; Great for Woven Goods
	Tile & Marble	Good/Great for Tile; Great for Stone
	V.C.T.	Moderate
	Sheet Vinyl	Moderate/Good
	Wood	Good/Great
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Good/Great

Mixing Colors?
	Carpet	Many Predetermined Patterns Available; Mixing is Hard
	Tile & Marble	Pattern Possibilities Endless
	V.C.T.	Pattern Possibilities Endless
	Sheet Vinyl	Many Predetermined Patterns Available
	Wood	Pattern Possibilities Endless
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Many Predetermined Patterns Available

Noise Level?
	Carpet	Very Quiet
	Tile & Marble	Noisy
	V.C.T.	Noisy
	Sheet Vinyl	Low Noise
	Wood	Noisy
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Very Quiet

Response to Moisture?
	Carpet	Absorbs; May Grow Mildew
	Tile & Marble	Repeals
	V.C.T.	Repeals
	Sheet Vinyl	Repeals; May Grow Mildew
	Wood	Repeals; May Suffer Swelling and Cupping
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Absorbs; Dries Easily

Surface Resistance?
	Carpet	Vulnerable to Matting
	Tile & Marble	Vulnerable to Scratches, Chipping and Cracking
	V.C.T.	Vulnerable to Scratches, Chipping and Cracking
	Sheet Vinyl	Vulnerable to Scratches and Cuts
	Wood	Vulnerable to Dents and Scratches
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Very Good

Professional Installation or Do-It-Yourself (DIY)?
	Carpet	Professional Installation
	Tile & Marble	DIY Possible for Tile; Professional for Stone
	V.C.T.	DIY Possible
	Sheet Vinyl	Professional Installation
	Wood	DIY Possible
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	N/A

Floor Preparation Required?
	Carpet	Very Little
	Tile & Marble	Moderate
	V.C.T.	Very Much
	Sheet Vinyl	Very
	Wood	Much
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	N/A

Professional Maintenance Required?
	Carpet	Cleaning
	Tile & Marble	Grout & Tile Cleaning; Stone Polishing
	V.C.T.	Stripping, Waxing & Sealing
	Sheet Vinyl	None
	Wood	Buffing and Refinishing
	Custom & Oriental Style Rugs	Cleaning