Carpet is still one of the most popular flooring choices around, providing comfort, softness underfoot, and a finished look. But deciding which type of carpet is right for both your budget and your needs is sometimes puzzling. For example, should you choose wool, which has been used for centuries to weave fine carpets, or should you invest less and choose a synthetic fiber, and if so, which one?

Laminate flooring, also known as floating wood tile, is a type of multi-layered flooring made via lamination. It’s a popular flooring option for residential homes, offering a similar appearance as hardwood but at a fraction of the cost. Of course, there are other reasons to choose laminate flooring.

If you’re in the market for new flooring, you may want to consider bamboo. Featuring all-natural organic material harvested from the bamboo plant, it’s an excellent choice for both residential and commercial applications. So, should you choose bamboo flooring for your home or business?

Bamboo Flooring: The Basics

While bamboo plants are native in many parts of the world, the species used in flooring typically originate from China and surrounding Asian countries. The most common species of bamboo for flooring materials is Phyllostachys edulis. Also known as Moso bamboo, Phyllostachys edulis is known to reach heights of 90+ feet. While traditional hardwood trees can take 20 to 120 years to fully mature, Moso reaches maturity in just 3 to 5 years.

Hardwood flooring is arguably one of the most value-enhancing features of any home. It’s durable and beautiful, and thanks to its ability to be renewed periodically by sanding and refinishing, it’s one of the longest-lasting flooring materials there is. But what about engineered hardwood? What exactly is it and how does it compare to the real deal?

Think Layers

Engineered hardwood floors are constructed with ply layers, that are cross layered, glued and pressed together to form a plank. According to Floorfacts.com, manufacturers use anywhere from 3-12 layers of wood to construct planks, and in general, the higher the number of layers used, the better the quality of the floor.