As you look to replace your current floor, be sure to consider all material options — and there are a lot of them — and decide on what works best for your family. One of the most important things to consider is maintenance. If you have pets or children, carpet is often tough to keep clean, so you might prefer laminate, vinyl or wood flooring instead.

And if you already have too many chores on your hands, taking the time to properly maintain true hardwood might not be worth it, especially since there are many faux wood laminate and vinyl options to choose from. The initial purchase cost is important, but you also need to consider how much time and money you are willing to put into keeping the floor in tip-top shape.