Compare flooring types by room and household need.
Not sure which floor will hold up to your rooms and household, and don't want to pay for the wrong one? See what each of the four floors we sell and install handles well, and where it falls short.
A guide from our Haubstadt, IN showroom for homeowners and businesses in the Evansville and Haubstadt area. Narrow your choices to a short list here, then confirm the right product on samples and with our team.
Choosing for a business space? Commercial Flooring
Plain answers, including the limits
- Luxury vinyl
- Water-resistant, not waterproof: standing water can reach the subfloor through seams and edges.
- Sample boards
- Take them home to see a floor in your own light.
Start with the room
Where our floors fit, room by room. Open a floor to see its own page.
Kitchens, bathrooms and entryways
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP)
Ideal for areas with high moisture or heavy foot traffic.
- Ceramic tile
Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and entryways, and resistant to stains and moisture.
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP)
Bathrooms and basements
- Luxury vinyl
Suitable for any room in the house, including bathrooms and basements.
- Luxury vinyl
Basements
- Engineered hardwood
More resistant to moisture than solid hardwood, so it is a better choice for basements.
- Engineered hardwood
Bedrooms and living rooms
- Carpet
Adds warmth and comfort.
- Carpet
Not sure about a room? Ask our team which of our floors suits it.
Side by side
Compare all four floors by need
How carpet, luxury vinyl, engineered hardwood and ceramic tile handle your rooms, water, foot traffic, pets and children, upkeep, look and cost.
What each floor is, and where it fits
Surfaces are typical examples of each type.
 |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Carpet Soft, comfortable flooring in styles from plush high-pile to low-maintenance varieties. | Luxury vinyl plank and tile Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) that mimic the look of wood or stone. | Engineered hardwood Real wood: a real wood top layer over plywood. Solid hardwood is natural wood all the way through. | Ceramic tile Durable, long-lasting tile flooring. |
| Rooms | Carpet An excellent choice for bedrooms and living rooms, where it adds warmth and comfort. | Luxury vinyl plank and tile Suitable for any room, including bathrooms and basements. Luxury vinyl plank is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms and entryways. | Engineered hardwood A better choice than solid hardwood for basements, because it is more resistant to moisture. | Ceramic tile Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and entryways, and an excellent bathroom choice for its water resistance and durability. |
| Water and moisture | Carpet Compared with luxury vinyl plank, carpet can absorb moisture. | Luxury vinyl plank and tile Water-resistant, and suited to kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Check the water rating of the exact product you choose with our team or on its sample. | Engineered hardwood More resistant to moisture than solid hardwood, and resistant to moisture and humidity. | Ceramic tile Resistant to stains and moisture. |
How each floor wears
Foot traffic, pets and children, and everyday upkeep.
| Carpet | Luxury Vinyl Plank & Tile | Engineered Hardwood | Ceramic Tile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foot traffic | Carpet Nylon or polyester carpet with a low pile is ideal for high-traffic areas. Compared with luxury vinyl plank, carpet tends to show wear more quickly in heavy traffic. | Luxury vinyl plank and tile Durable flooring for high-traffic areas. Luxury vinyl plank is ideal for heavy foot traffic. | Engineered hardwood Durable and long-lasting. Ask our team We'll go over how the product you like handles heavy foot traffic. | Ceramic tile Ideal for high-traffic areas, and long-lasting and durable. |
| Pets and children | Carpet Denser padding can help preserve carpet's appearance in busy households with children and pets. Carpet traps pet hair, dust and allergens. | Luxury vinyl plank and tile Our luxury vinyl tile and plank products are excellent choices for households with children and pets, with easy-to-clean surfaces ideal for families. | Engineered hardwood Ask our team We'll go over pets and children for the engineered hardwood you like. | Ceramic tile Ask our team We'll go over pets and children for the tile you like. |
| Upkeep | Carpet Easy maintenance and cleaning, including low-maintenance varieties. Regular vacuuming and professional cleaning at least once a year help prevent visible wear. Carpet is typically replaced every five to 15 years, depending on quality and foot traffic. | Luxury vinyl plank and tile Very easy to clean and maintain: regular sweeping and occasional mopping. | Engineered hardwood Easy maintenance and cleaning. Most engineered hardwood can be refinished one to three times, depending on the thickness of the top layer. | Ceramic tile Easy to clean and maintain. With proper care, ceramic tile can last 50 years or more. |
Looking after a floor you already have? Care & Warranty
What you see and what you spend
Appearance and relative cost. We don't list prices; your estimate covers them.
| Carpet | Luxury Vinyl Plank & Tile | Engineered Hardwood | Ceramic Tile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Carpet A wide range of styles, colors, patterns and textures. Carpet offers warmth and texture but is more limited than luxury vinyl plank in the looks it can achieve. | Luxury vinyl plank and tile Mimics the look of wood or stone, in a wide variety of colors, textures and designs. | Engineered hardwood The look of natural wood, in many species, finishes and plank sizes. | Ceramic tile A wide variety of sizes, colors, patterns and finishes. |
| Relative cost | Carpet Typically cheaper upfront than luxury vinyl plank. | Luxury vinyl plank and tile Affordable compared to hardwood and natural stone, and vinyl plank gives you a wood look at a fraction of hardwood costs. Luxury vinyl plank can be more cost-effective than carpet long term because it is replaced less often. | Engineered hardwood Request an Estimate Cost depends on the product and your space, so your estimate covers it. | Ceramic tile Request an Estimate Cost depends on the product and your space, so your estimate covers it. |
Weighing luxury vinyl plank against carpet in more depth? Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Carpet
For a business space
Floors offered for commercial spaces
Carpet, including Pentz carpet tile, luxury vinyl plank and tile, and Tarkett vinyl composition tile (VCT) are offered for commercial use. We do not recommend engineered hardwood or ceramic tile for business spaces. Talk through your space's traffic, use and timing with our team.
- Carpet
Durable commercial carpets and Pentz carpet tiles, alongside our residential carpets.
- Luxury Vinyl Plank & Tile
A popular choice for residential and commercial properties.
Before you choose
Confirm your short list in person
This guide narrows the field. Exact product suitability, subfloor needs, price, availability and timing depend on the product and your space, so we confirm them with you using samples, measurement and our staff.
See floors in the showroom
Our Haubstadt, IN showroom, serving Evansville and surrounding areas, is set up for hands-on selection.
Get your space measured
Our complimentary measurement helps you buy the right amount of flooring.
Request an estimate
Tell us about your rooms and your short list. A request starts a conversation with our staff.
At the showroom, take sample boards home to see them in your own light, next to your decor.
Questions about installing over an existing floor, glue-down or interlocking planks, samples or special orders? Flooring FAQs
Planning the install? Flooring Installation