Hardwood flooring presents a beautiful option for custom homes, but what about all of the other appealing alternatives? Here are six high-end quality flooring options available that not only add character and allure but are proven to last as well.

1. Marble

Marble flooring is the ideal flooring option when you want your home to have an unquestionable feeling of luxury. Throughout history, marble has been mined in exotic locations such as India and Italy for use in sculptural art and building decor, and the look of opulence makes it a top choice for high-end custom homes. Choose honed marble for a matte look, or highly polished marble for a beautiful shine.

As a porous stone, marble requires maintenance, but these efforts will be rewarded with a look that’s beyond compare. The decorative veining running through this beautiful stone can be showcased by using large slabs of marble rather than individual tiles. This exotic natural stone requires careful cleaning and preventative maintenance, including resealing to help with stain resistance.

2. Travertine

Another luxury flooring option for custom homes is travertine. Compared to marble, travertine offers a more rustic look with the same sense of exotic style. Mined in locations such as Italy, Mexico, and Peru, travertine is a long-treasured decor choice, and it is the foundational structure of many historic buildings throughout the world.

Like marble, travertine is porous and requires sealing for maintenance and protection from dirt and stains; however, don’t doubt its strength and durability! It has been the material of choice for cathedrals and coliseums for thousands of years. The unique patterns and colours in red, silver, and gold shades make travertine a warm and decorative choice for flooring throughout your home.

3. Slate Tiles

Slate is a very dense, stain-resistant stone, and it is available in a variety of shapes and colours. Although it’s primarily available in a natural grey colour, it can also be nearly black or offer shades of red and purple splashed with sparkles of mica. The uneven surface will give your flooring a rustic look, and the rough surface will smooth out as it’s used, creating a unique patina with an old-world traditional style.

4. Mosaic Patterns

If you are looking for a versatile and unique option, mosaic-themed flooring could be perfect for you. With many material choices, including natural stone, ceramic, porcelain or glass tiles, this type of flooring adds visual interest and personality to any room.

Due to the small pieces - known as tesserae - with which mosaic patterns are composed, there are literally no limits when it comes to colour and design. Unique, artistic designs can be created by a mosaic artist, or you can choose manufactured patterns to pre-assemble on mesh for easy installation.

Mosaic is also an excellent option for creating medallions, small patterns or borders as an accent to other flooring materials. The small details of a mosaic design provide a special look to your home that defines it as an expression of your personal taste. As a brightly coloured accent or a bit of glass that captures the light, mosaics can be integrated in many different ways to add an elegant look to your custom home.

5. Porcelain

Porcelain is an engineered tile flooring, and it achieves the look of natural stone while providing a durable surface in any colour of the rainbow. Porcelain is an excellent option when you desire high-end flooring without the need for ongoing maintenance. Its strength is unparalleled, and it is the ideal flooring choice under heavy furniture, such as a grand piano.

As a vitreous tile with through-body colour, porcelain is resistant to water, stains, and scratches, and it will provide many years of durable use without cracking or showing wear. Just like natural stone products, it is available in individual tiles or large slabs. Choose a tile that mimics the look of slate, marble or travertine, or select a bright colour to liven up your decor.

6. Luxury Vinyl

Although vinyl flooring may not immediately bring a high-end look to mind, it has become a high-quality flooring option. As individual planks or tile, it’s installed with grout, and it has the look of tile or stone without the weight, high cost, and labor-intensive installation. As a beautiful material that offers the look you want with the benefit of easy maintenance, don’t discount luxury vinyl as you consider the various options for your home’s decor.

Luxury vinyl excels with waterproof durability in high-traffic areas, and you can retain a sophisticated look without worries about damage to your flooring. Adding luxury vinyl to your kitchen ensures an attractive flooring that can accommodate moisture, dropped items and the possibility of stains. It’s a practical choice to ensure that your busy lifestyle won’t leave your flooring dull and dingy due to heavy use.

The type of flooring you choose can vary based on your preferences, colour choices and maintenance needs, and you can select unique colours or patterns to create a one-of-a-kind look. With many different high-end flooring options on the market, you have the opportunity to select a sophisticated style that will hold your custom home to the highest standard.