Recommended Floors for an Entry Hallway

Hardwood

• Hardwood is a versatile flooring choice design-wise, because of a wide range of colors and stains. Use sealers in entryway settings to ensure that the wood repels any moisture brought in from foot traffic. When properly installed and maintained over time, a hardwood entry lasts a lifetime.

Tile

• Tile is another common entryway material that can last generations when the proper installation materials are used, as required by the tile manufacturer. As far as colors and selections go, tiles come in a range of patterns, thicknesses, styles and types, giving you a nearly limitless range of selection, including square tiles, rectangular tiles, medallions and more. Install them straight, on a diagonal, with special patterns, with borders, inset into hardwood, or all on their own for a contemporary entry. Ceramic and porcelain are the most common tile types, but tiles are also available in natural stone, glass, metal and man-made materials.

Natural Stone Slabs

• Natural stone is the next step up from ceramic, and although it is available in tile format, it is also available in flagstone and slabs. Although far more labor intensive -- and thus expensive -- to install, longevity with natural stone slab installations is the same as it is for ceramic tiles: generations. Choose from a variety of styles with natural stone, ranging from rough-hewn natural slabs such as flagstone or honed travertine slabs that mirror the Roman architecture of old. Granite and marble are also commonly seen, either honed or smoothed down to a polished finish in a luxurious entryways.

Laminate Materials

• On the lower end of the cost side of things are laminate materials. These are made to look like wood and come in plank format, but they are composite materials that either come in actual planks or are sold as peel-and-stick flexible material. Although less durable than natural stone slabs, ceramic or regular hardwood, the tradeoff is that laminate materials are far more affordable, making them a viable option for individuals who are working with limited pocket space. They are also easily installed, making them easier for the average do-it-yourselfer who doesn’t have decades of field experience installing more complicated natural materials.

Carpeting

• Carpeting can be a good choice for the entryway in the sense that it can trap dirt and debris from people's feet as they enter the home. However, for best results choose a carpet that is made for outdoor or entryway use with a high stain resistance and water protection, not the traditional carpet used in living rooms or bedrooms where minimal or barefoot traffic is expected. Similar to laminates, carpet is easily installed, and it is also easy to maintain over the years with regular vacuuming and steam cleaning.