Choosing the right flooring for your home is a matter of assessing both your wants and your needs. The wants part is usually easier because you've likely seen some type of material that you like. The needs part will be a little more complicated as you have to consider some issues before making a decision.
The following are the most important points you have to focus on:
Room Function and Location
First of all, which part of your home do you plan to install flooring in? The room itself will have the biggest effect on which surfacing is most appropriate to use. Wood, for example, must never be used in the basement to avoid moisture problems that usually affect rooms located below ground level. What's important is you choose a surface that works best for the function and location of the target room.
Home Lifestyle
If you have children at home, you'll need a tougher surface to survive wear and tear from banging, running, etc. Compared to site-finished solid wood, certain laminate products are probably better in this scenario because of their optimal wear characteristics. However, there are also engineered wood floor varieties that have durable coatings like laminate. If you have pets like cats and dogs, hard surfaces will work best for shed cleanup, as opposed to carpeting which can retain dander and pet hair. On the other hand, wood floors can be scratched by claws. To avoid this scenario, use tile or wood/bamboo flooring with a tough finish like aluminum oxide.
Respiratory Problems and Allergies
Does anyone in the family suffer from asthma or any other kind of respiratory problem? Allergens stick to carpeting, but they can be easily removed from hard surfaces. Carpet and other floor materials may have more VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which heighten sensitivity to airborne allergens and contaminants. Go for flooring with reduced VOC emissions.
Care and Maintenance
Consider how much care and maintenance you can give the floor. There are materials that are simply harder to maintain than others if you want to keep their aesthetic appeal. Wood needs regular sweeping or vacuuming to prevent dulling and getting scratched by ground-in dirt. Tile or stone can last very long, but not its finish unless the floor is swept regularly. Vinyl or tile handles standing water better than wood.
Personal Preferences
Finally, consider how important style and aesthetics is to you. Do you want high-end or economical vinyl flooring? If you want a certain wood but it's too pricey, go for its laminate counterpart. You'll be surprised by how close they can be.