Patterned carpet
Texture adds visual interest to flooring and manufacturers, such as Canada-based Krause, are offering carpet with a variety of embossed-looking designs. Made of nylon with a "kinked molecule" for better durability, the patterned carpet is available in a variety of patterns and colours, including Lucerne and Bermuda Dunes www.krauscarpet.com
Engineered hardwood
With our often dramatic weather changes, solid hardwood floors can become problematic. During cold weather, gaps can appear between planks, which is why engineered hardwood flooring is a popular choice for installers since it doesn't shrink and expand as much. Tarkett's Millstone Collection of engineered hardwood includes many different finishes, including maple wheat and maple slate. www.tarkettna.com
Broadloom
Fine wool broadloom is perhaps the ultimate in carpet luxury. Masland now makes its easy to take its wool broadloom and turn it into an area rug of whatever size you need. Just pick a style and colour -- such as asana or porcelain -- choose an edging of leather or cotton twill, and the size and Masland will custom-make it for you. www.masland carpets.com
Leather flooring
Nothing beats leather for sheer luxury and leather flooring is a great way to make a room the centrepiece of a home. Available in planks, leather can be as easy to install and click and go, or comes in nail or glue-down products. Torlys leather flooring comes in numerous leather finishes, including Modena Wine. www.torlys.com
Ceramic tile
Other than their durability, the largest advantage ceramic tiles have over other floor products, such as hardwood and laminate, is the immense variety of colours available. Also unlike woods and laminates, various colours and styles of ceramic tiles can be mixed and matched and/or cut and arranged to create unique designs. www.totem.ca
Vinyl
Old-fashioned felt-back vinyl has given way to more robust fibre-backed products such as Tarkett's sheet vinyl. The new material makes for a cushioned feel underfoot, while the latest patterns and designs are more realistic looking than ever, such as pompano tile (top right) and vogue tile. www.tarkettna.com
Slate tile
Natural stone tiles, such as slate, offer a texture and style that can only be found in a product that comes straight from the mountain to the home. Available in a variety of shades, slate tiles provide a natural look that goes well with both traditional and contemporary decors. Their high frost rating also makes them a good choice for colder areas. www.totem.ca
Laminate tile
This Terreco charcoal slate rectangular-shaped laminate tile from provides the best of both worlds. It combines the look and feel of a ceramic tile with the slate colour of a natural stone at a very affordable price. Better still, because the tiles are laminate flooring, they click together easily, making for simple do-it-yourself installation. www.qualitycraft.com
