hardwood floor alternative - bamboo floors

Top Cheap Alternatives To Hardwood Flooring

By: General Flooring Canada

All of us are aware of the beauty that comes with hardwood floors.

They are classically timeless additions, however, they can be exceptionally expensive as well.

And in some cases, the level of durability is not as high as you want them to be. So if you are thinking about adding hardwood floors because of its aesthetics, where should you begin?

If you want to add something similar to your home’s floorings and avoid the hassle of hardwood floorings, then we recommend finding the next best alternative to hardwood floors.

Today we are looking into some of the best alternatives we could find for you. Take a look at them and get inspired.

1. Bamboo

hardwood floor alternative - bamboo floors

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This is an excellent option for all who want to step out of the box. Bamboo is beautiful, highly affordable and incredibly strong. What more can you ask for in a hardwood flooring alternative?

Bamboo flooring is not the same as hardwood flooring, because technically, it is grass. Very hard grass.

If you are unsure where to begin on your bamboo options, contact a flooring company near you and ask them to help.

Remember bamboo flooring is an incredibly strong hardwood alternative. If you go for strand-woven bamboo, it has proven to be twice as hard as oak.

Naturally, it all comes with its pros and cons, but the best positive aspect is that is it an eco-friendly option.

2. Cork

cork floor

Cork is eco-friendly durable, and comfortable. I know, you might think that cork is not a durable option, when in fact, it is a top hardwood flooring alternative that’s also durable.

Cork as a floor option is incredibly resistant and it absorbs shock well. This is the perfect flooring for those with joint issues.

Cork bark uses the same tree harvested over and over again each decade.

You can choose between cork tiles, cork sheets, or cork planks. The best thing is that it does not look like cork. Cork flooring can look like natural stone or simple wood.

Cork is one of the best possible hardwood alternatives to hardwood flooring as it is renewable, sustainable, and durable.

3. Laminate

laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is an option you should not overlook. It is highly affordable, which is why many people use it. 

Since laminate floors are two composite woods pressed together and are literally “fake wood” it still has plenty of benefits.

It is a highly durable hardwood flooring alternative and it is the easiest to mimic any type of wood you want.

On top of it all, it is perfect for less skilled homeowners because it comes with an easy installation method, using the click-together system. You don’t need any nails or glue to install it.

To take it a step further, you also have the option of creating a unique floor pattern. 

4. Vinyl Flooring

vinyl flooring

If you are looking for the most popular alternative to a hardwood floor, discover the magnificent world of vinyl planks!

There is a reason why this is the fastest-growing option on the market right now.

It is very comfortable to walk on, you can afford it, it’s waterproof, and it is incredibly durable.

You will end up finding out that this is a versatile hardwood flooring alternative that’s easy to love! Enjoy the high-end quality without having to pay too much.

Taking things even a step further, it is the easiest floor to install!

Naturally, with every flooring, there are a few pros and cons of it, but as far as the hardwood floor alternatives are concerned, this is the best option for you to go for.

5. Wood-Look Tile

wood look tile

These tiles are not just for your kitchen and bathroom anymore.

Naturally, depending on the location of your home, these may only fit some of the rooms, not all of them, but that is okay too!

If you live in a tropical climate, the best approach is to use a tile in every room.

But, if you don’t, it was classically taught that it was best to use tile flooring only in the kitchen and bathroom floor.

However today tile flooring is a trend that’s here to stay and homeowners use it for all rooms in the home. And you can bile tile imitating wood floors as well as a hardwood floor alternative.

This will remove the hassle of comparing the tile with the wood, and it has the power to satiate anyone’s style!

For all those who are looking for a style that is comprised of a variety of elements, this is the best option for you!

6. Concrete

grey concrete

If you are looking for a surprisingly nice alternative to hardwood flooring, concrete is bound to come up on your list.

Even though concrete is thought to be an option only for the basement and the garage, adding it to other rooms of the home can provide that extra industrial twist to them.

Thankfully, there is even an option to make it look like wood. You can give it a little bit of texture, and a little bit of colour, polish it, stamp it, and stain it. You can gloss it and give it that extra bit of shine too!

Give yourself the versatile option by diving into the world of concrete!

7. Hemp Wood

engineered hemp floor

Hemp wood is an excellent hardwood flooring alternative for many reasons.

It’s eco-friendly and looks incredible! For all those people who are a little skeptical about the concept, this is a flooring option that is created from hemp stalks that have been legalized back in 2018 and this is a flooring option that can provide you with versatility.

Hemp grows 100 times faster than oak does.

It is one of the most sustainable options out there. On top of it all, hemp can absorb carbon more than trees do and it produces more flooring than trees do.

Hemp floors are even more sustainable and biodegradable! It’s also incredibly strong.

Once you find the material you like, get ready to place the new flooring material in your home. Carefully choose the colours and patterns and watch the magic manifest.

Closing

And there you have it friends the top cheap alternatives to hardwood flooring in the market today. 

The most popular option today is vinyl flooring. We sell them at $1.79 per square feet. Vinyl floors are cheap and do an excellent job of imitating hardwood floors.

If we missed out on your favourite hardwood flooring alternative, feel free to drop a comment in our box or on our Facebook fan page