Only the Best: 5 Luxury Flooring Options for High-End Homes

If you’re a homeowner looking to elevate your home’s interior design, the best place to start is hiding right under your feet! The thought of deciding on a floor (whether you’re building new or planning a remodel) can be overwhelming. But, the good news is that balancing a luxurious look with low maintenance doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, the best flooring for a lavish look can come in various forms – from real wood planks to porcelain tile.

High-end flooring options are ultimately an investment – the right flooring can last a lifetime and increase real estate property value significantly. Take a look at sites like Realtor.com, and you’ll see that homeowners who upgrade their floors with high-quality materials see a 25%-80% return on the investment when and if they resell their home.

Ultimately the choices you make with your home’s decor are highly personal and need to factor in your unique style along with an attainable price point. But, before diving into renovations or a new build, it’s important to consider all the options. If you’re looking to upgrade your high-end home, we’ve got five popular, high-quality types of flooring that always result in elevated interior design.

1. Natural Stone Flooring

Natural stone can create a beautiful effect while providing lifelong durability. However, due to the weight, it does come with a steep cost to the homeowner for material and flooring installation. In the end, though, the classic look of well-polished solid stone or stone tile adds an air of prestige to any room. Popular, high-end types of stone floors include the following:

• • Granite
  • Travertine
  • Marble
  • Quartzite

Stone floors are a common choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens since this type of durable flooring has high water resistance. Marble floors are softer than other stone flooring materials, so you may want to reconsider this option when it comes to high-traffic areas where furniture moves around often. Instead, marble is a popular choice for fireplace surrounds and interior columns. Stone tile floors are also a great option for outdoor flooring.

2. Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is an excellent choice for high-end luxury homes and delivers the best return on investment out of all flooring types – there’s no doubt; quality hardwood is an investment in your home value. The possibilities are endless, and the incorporation of exotic hardwoods like Brazilian cherry can be especially popular for their interesting and beautiful grain patterns.

Keep in mind that solid wood is less water-resistant than other flooring options, especially depending on the species of wood. This type of flooring should not be used around bathtubs and toilets so that you can minimize the potential for water damage. Additionally, wood can warp or cup if humidity is not kept in check. Some woods are more resistant than others, though – white oak is a closed-grain option that is increasingly popular in living rooms and kitchens (as both countertops and floors).

Get the Best of the Best with Quarter Sawn Oak

Talk about beauty and upscale style! Over the past several years, quarter sawn white oak and quarter sawn red oak flooring have been in high demand – and for good reason!

First and foremost, quarter sawn is a stunning cut that features a linear grain pattern and flecking (two elements that go hand-in-hand with modern, contemporary design). Take this flooring one step further, and you’ll find it to be a highly reliable, stable wood, meaning that it’s less prone to shrinkage and expansion.

Quarter sawn flooring is made by cutting the logs in quarters (hence the name), making this cut more labor-intensive, which in turn results in a higher price point. Looking for some inspiration on how quarter sawn oak flooring can elevate the design of your home? Check out what we did with This Old House’s Jamestown Net-Zero project!

[Free Guide] Thinking about choosing hardwood flooring? Learn the steps to make it last a lifetime!

Hardwood is also a great long-term investment because it’s easy to refinish and repair (which allows you the flexibility to change the color and look over time). Minor scratches and dents can be sanded out of the surface of the wood, too, making wood an ideal flooring option for high-traffic areas (at a price that is much less per square foot than marble and granite).

3. Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is an often overlooked high-end option that also stands up well to foot traffic. While the word “engineered” doesn’t sound quite as nice as “solid hardwood,” this type of flooring is slightly more versatile when it comes to applications where the planks can be installed.

At Baird Brothers, our engineered hardwood is made out of a 5/32” top layer of hardwood, with a secondary species (of Baltic birch) that increases stability. Since this type of wood flooring has an excellent ability to withstand humidity, it can be installed on any surface, including radiant floors!

There are some unique pros and cons to consider when it comes to engineered wood, like the fact that this type of flooring can only be refinished once or twice. But, in the end, both solid and engineered wood planks provide a classic, elegant wood look to your luxury home’s new flooring.

4. Porcelain Tile/Ceramic Tile

While these two terms are often used interchangeably, there are some differences – including price point.

Porcelain typically has a glaze on its surface and is a dense, fine-grained product. Ceramic floor tiles are fired at a lower temperature and can be slightly more prone to water infiltration because it’s made from a more coarse clay.

Either way, these types of tiles can provide color and pattern, if desired, to your luxury space. You can purchase designer tiles from high-end mosaic artists for an intricate and custom look that is ideal for baths and kitchens. In hot climates, ceramic and porcelain tiles provide a cooling touch and are easy to clean or vacuum.

What’s the downside? Like all tile floors, grout can become dingy, especially if the areas aren’t sealed and cleaned regularly. If you’re planning on adding ceramic floor tiles, keep in mind that they’re more susceptible to cracking or chipping if household items are dropped during day-to-day activities.

5. High-End Carpet Options

We know…nowadays, carpet doesn’t necessarily sound like luxury, but it still has its place. While it certainly doesn’t last as long as the other types of flooring listed above, it remains a popular choice for certain rooms in cooler climates.

Not only can luxury carpet act as a layer of insulation for your home (especially in a bedroom), but it also brings in a touch of softness and comfort. High-end carpet options are high-density and made from the finest fibers. Add a plush pad underneath, and the end result will be a softer, more durable carpet flooring.

Beautiful Floors Begin With Baird Brothers

It’s no secret; when it comes to the best flooring for high-end homes, we believe that you can never go wrong with the high-quality wood flooring options from Baird Brothers. From beautiful quarter sawn white oak to tropical Brazilian cherry, we are here to make your hardwood flooring dream a reality. Contact us today to get started or browse our inventory online.