While high prices might be limiting large construction and remodeling projects, some homeowners have turned to updating the flooring in their homes as a way to create a new living space.

But without the knowledge of the uses and purposes for the different kinds and styles of flooring, it can be a little overwhelming for those people looking to take on a small home improvement project.

Lisa Marhefka, a sales associate at Butler Floor & Carpet Co. in Butler, said if a person comes into the store and is unsure about what kind of flooring they would like for their home, she asks them a lot of basic questions to get them to narrow down their options.

Some of these questions include where they are planning on putting the flooring, if it will be a high traffic area, if it will be in a wet or damp place, if they are looking for a soft or hard surface, what their budget is and some of their personal needs and preferences.

Peter Paracca, the owner of Paracca Interiors in Valencia, said people also need to think about who will be using the floor, especially if pets and children are in the household, as some flooring is more suited for pets and children.

"Then once we figure out what their needs are, we show them different products and figure out what they are attracted to," Paracca said.

"The important thing is to look at all of your options and be open to look at different types (of flooring)."

From ceramic tile to carpeting, laminate to fiber, and hard wood to vinyl, the options all depend on what the homeowner expects in the flooring, since some types of flooring are designed for durability in high traffic areas and others are made for comfort or style.

Working in flooring for more than four years, Marhefka said the biggest trends she has seen include the change in preference from a textured saxony carpeting to a nylon twisted carpet called frieze carpeting.

"We've also seen a lot of hard surface flooring becoming more popular because it lasts longer," Marhefka said. "It has a prestige to it and has been almost an upgrade to carpet."

Nicole Stevenson, a sales associate at Home Improvement Center, said the store has seen an increase in the sale of fiber flooring because of its durability, easy maintenance and because it is more of a 'do-it-yourself' flooring.

"Over the past couple of years, we have seen it go from a lot of ceramic tile and hardwood flooring to laminate flooring. And now we are seeing a move toward sheet vinyl and fiber flooring," Stevenson said.

In addition to the 'traditional' kinds of flooring, many flooring stores also are now offering environmentally friendly flooring, including carpets made of recycled materials, cork, bamboo and forbo marmoleum, a floor made with natural linseed oil and pine resin with a jute backing.

While these products have been available for about five years, they are becoming more popular because of the push toward "going green," Marhefka said.

Paracca said because of the recent popularity of green products, he has even created a display devoted entirely to green products in his store.

Flooring costs also vary significantly depending on the type, style and brand chosen and ranging from $3 to $14 per square foot installed, though "hard surface flooring is almost always two to three times more costly than carpet ... but it lasts longer," Marhefka said.

To ensure proper flooring measurements are taken, many flooring departments and businesses offer free quotes to customers.

Not only does this create less headaches for homeowners, but certain places, such as Butler Floor & Carpet Co., actually require the company to take its own measurements if its crew is to install the floor, Marhefka said.

Buying flooring is all about education, Stevenson said.

"Homeowners should educate themselves as much as possible by talking to people and considering what they want out of their flooring before purchasing anything," she said.