Good flooring can make any home feel inviting but when choosing what style of flooring to complement each room of the house, consider the costs, pros and cons before you buy.

Whether you choose hardwood, ceramic tile, vinyl or laminate, Sis Yarbrough of Fuller Hardware Supply said it’s all about preference.

“You can go from the most expensive with regular engineered wood, that can be glued or nailed down or laminate and vinyl that can be replaced cheaply,” Yarbrough said. “It just depends on the type of home a person has and their budget.”

Yarbrough also said vinyl can be glued down easily and gives the look of real hardwood; laminate doesn’t scratch as badly and is half the price of wood.  A new type of flooring, Konecto, high-quality resilient wood flooring, locks into place and doesn’t crack.

“I love it,” Yarbrough said. “It’s water proof and scratch resistant.”

According to a flooring website, when choosing among the most popular brands of flooring, be sure to evaluate the pros and cons and price before purchasing.

Hardwoods. Depending on what type you go with, it could cost you $3 to $12 per square foot. You may need to pay someone to install it for you, which could cost in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. Hardwood flooring looks nice, has great resale value and is easy to clean and maintain when vacuuming.

However, cost is the largest setback. Hardwoods can be loud to walk on, need lots of refinishing and standing water can ruin them. Hardwood goes best inside the living room because it’s not a high-traffic area. Also a rug can muffle the noise.

Tile. Tile flooring can come in marble, porcelain, travertine, slate and granite and prices can range from $1 to $20 a square foot and, depending on the size of the area, professional installation can run into the hundreds of dollars. Glazed ceramic is extremely durable and scratch resistant. It is also water resistant. As a con, tile can get cold and is difficult to repair when cracked. The best room for tiles is a bathroom or kitchen or even a dining area where food and drinks spill frequently.

Laminate. Can cost anywhere from 50 cents to $3 a square foot. It’s durable and can look similar to real wood or tile. Laminate is also easy to clean. Laminate’s great for pets because they can’t scratch or stain it. The bad thing about laminate is that standing water can ruin it, and it cannot be refinished.

Carpet. Depending on the quality, the cost of carpet varies. Standard carpeting and padding starts at $2 and up per square foot. Lowe’s and Home Depot can install carpeting for a reasonable price. Carpet not only feels soft but it gives a soft look to any room and prevents echoing.

Carpet is also quick and simple to install. The bad thing about carpet is that it can get stained and even when vacuumed, there can still be hidden dirt, which is bad for allergy sufferers.

.Vinyl. Vinyl can cost less than $1 and up to $5 per square foot. Installation is about $200.  Like carpet, vinyl is quiet and is easy on the feet.