The best flooring for Wisconsin homes can handle all the hot and cold weather PLUS the muddy foot and paw prints that come with our extreme weather. Fortunately, there are a few floors tough enough to handle all of our snow, rain, and everything in between (even in the busiest households). This guide to Wisconsin flooring includes a list of durable floors plus their pros, cons, and any features that make them the best flooring for your home.
Luxury vinyl plank
Luxury vinyl plank flooring is the essence of the “jack of all trades.” This flooring looks great, is incredibly durable, and is perfect for busy households. These floors are perfect for homeowners who want the look of wood without worrying about water damage.
Pros: Durable, water-resistant, looks just like wood, available in a variety of colors and styles, can be installed as a do-it-yourself project, affordable, easy-to-clean
Cons: May scratch or fade
Pet-friendly: Yes!
Easy DIY project: Yes!
Rooms: Any room (including stairs, basement and bathrooms)
Bottom line:
This flooring is a favorite among homeowners because it’s incredibly durable, looks just like wood flooring, and can be installed in rooms prone to moisture (including mudrooms and bathrooms).
Wood
Wood floors are incredibly gorgeous, adding warmth and an upscale look to any home. These floors have lasted for years in Wisconsin homes, and new wood products are no exception. Modern wood floors are made for busy households, available in thicknesses that can be refinished repeatedly and in water-resistant products that lessen worries about water damage.
Pros: Durable, available in wide and narrow planks in almost any color stain, easy-to-clean
Cons: May be damaged by water, can scratch, typically a more expensive flooring option, not an easy DIY project
Pet-friendly: Yes! (Though some wood floors are prone to scratching and may be damaged by pet accidents. Ask a flooring pro to see a durable and water-resistant wood floor.)
Easy DIY project: No
Rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, kitchens, stairs (Not suitable for bathrooms or rooms prone to water spills)
Bottom line:
Wood floors are incredibly beautiful!
Engineered hardwood
Engineered hardwoods are wood floors with a unique construction that makes them very durable. These floors are wood floors with a stable plywood core layer, which makes them suitable for basements.
Pros: Durable, available in wide and narrow planks in almost any color stain, easy-to-clean
Cons: May be damaged by water, can scratch, typically a more expensive flooring option, some floors are not thick enough to be refinished
Pet-friendly: Yes! (Though some engineered wood floors are prone to scratching and may be damaged by pet accidents. Ask a flooring pro to see a durable and water-resistant engineered wood floor.)
Easy DIY project: No (There are some engineered hardwood floors that are made for DIYers. Ask a flooring pro to see an engineered hardwood floor that is easier-to-install.)
Rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, kitchens, stairs, basements (Not suitable for bathrooms or rooms prone to water spills)
Bottom line:
Engineered hardwoods offer all the beauty of wood while giving homeowners more options and less worry.
Tile
Porcelain and ceramic floors are tough with a capital T. These floors look great and can handle all the water (making it a top choice for lake cabins and homes on the water) and foot traffic of a busy household.
Pros: Durable, water-resistant, naturally conducts heat from radiant floor heating, available almost any color or style, a fairly easy project for a do-it-yourselfer, affordable, easy-to-clean
Cons: Can feel cold underfoot, very hard, grout may be hard to clean (Ask a flooring pro about installing tile with a darker color grout to hide stains)
Pet-friendly: Yes!
Easy DIY project: Yes!
Rooms: Any room (including basements and bathrooms)
Bottom line:
Modern tile comes in almost any color and style. Some tile floors even resemble wood!
Vinyl sheet
Vinyl sheet floors are some of the most durable floors available. In some cases, these floors have even held up in flooded basements. Vinyl sheet floors are also incredibly stylish and are available in products that resemble tile and wood.
Pros: Durable, water-resistant, available almost any color or style, affordable, easy-to-clean
Cons: May scratch
Pet-friendly: Yes!
Easy DIY project: No and Yes
Rooms: Any room (including basements and bathrooms)
Bottom line:
Vinyl sheet floors are stylish, tough, and can be installed in almost room.
Carpet
Carpet is the softest floor on this list of Wisconsin floors. It’s cushy and comfortable, making it a top choice for bedrooms and living spaces. Because it’s so popular, carpet is available in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Pros: Durable, easy-to-clean, available in almost any color
Cons: May stain
Pet-friendly: Yes! (Ask a flooring pro to see carpets that are stain-resistant and are less likely to get damaged by pet nails.)
Easy DIY project: No
Rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, stairs
Bottom line:
Carpets are a great option for any room where you want comfort underfoot.
