Ceramic

• Ceramic tiles are made from hardened clay that is baked in kilns in batches. While ceramic tile can be difficult to shape around awkward floor areas, it is a versatile material. Ceramics can be glazed to show a variety of colors, and porcelain versions can even be made without a sheen for a more natural look. Ceramic tends to cost around $8 per square foot, but can go higher with more detailed work.
  
  

Limestone

• Limestone is a natural stone product made from sediment that has gradually solidified into stone. Limestone is one of the softest types of stones, softer even then marble, and it has soft cream and brown colors to match. Limestone comes in tile shapes, usually 12 by 12 inches, and can be either honed or polished, depending on the look a homeowner wants.
  
  

Laminate

• Laminate flooring is made out of a core of fiber board. Manufacturers lay a layer of plastic over this board that resembles another surface, often wood but sometimes stone as well. Laminates are softer than ceramics or limestone and are the only option of the three that can give floors a wood-like appearance. They are usually installed in planks.
  
  

Installation

• Laminate is the easiest type of flooring to install, and most homeowners should be able to install laminate materials themselves with the right adhesives. Laminate also tends to be forgiving to subfloors; ceramic and limestone tiles require even subfloors to be properly installed. Because of the fragility of ceramic and limestone tiles, and the special tools needed to cut them, homeowners might need to contract the work to a professional.
  
  

Durability and Maintenance

• Laminate is the least durable of the three options (although it is most resistant to spills) while ceramic tiles are probably the most durable. Limestone, as a natural stone, has an excellent lifespan but struggles with maintenance issues. Limestone is so absorbent and alkaline that it can be easily stained and permanently damaged by any acidic substance. Homeowners will need to seal limestone fully and reseal on occasion to help protect it.