Think a marble or slate floor is out of reach financially? There are alternatives.

Many vinyl flooring patterns mimic the natural stone images popular in high end renovations and custom homes. While it won't fool house guests into thinking you've won the lottery, it does provide a variety of choices.

Vinyl flooring is sold in sheets or square sections, usually 12-inch by 12-inch or 16-inch by 16-inch.

Vinyl is considered durable and easy to clean. Along with the natural stone colors and patterns, there are hundreds of other choices. Most buyers want earth tones and patterns that reflect the outdoors, such as rocks, minerals, forest and sea designs, said Thomas Cook, corporate creative director for Armstrong World Industries, based in Lancaster, PA.

"They're such easy colors to live with, they're easy to decorate around, and consumers like the idea of bringing the outdoors in," Cook said.

Vinyl flooring does have its disadvantages, however. It can be scratched or dented by heavy objects and some high heel shoes. Manufacturers recommend adding protective cups, under furniture legs. Also avoid wearing stiletto or spiked heels on vinyl floors.

Typically, the thicker the vinyl the more durable the product. Thickness is measured by the "wearlayer," the top layer that typically ranges from .005 to .025 inches.

An average thickness is .01 to .015, said Angela Matticola, director of marketing for residential products at Congoleum Corporation in Mercerville, New Jersey. "If they have a very active household, I would recommend .015 or better."

While there are many choices in colors and patterns, not all vinyl flooring is available in each level of thickness, she said. "It's not like in carpeting when you fall in love with the color and you can get it in any weight."

Where to Start

Start by looking for a pattern you like or ask a sales representative which patterns are available in a certain weight. Those who want a particular thickness still would have a few hundred choices of colors and patterns among the various manufacturers, Matticola said.

Vinyl flooring also is sold with two different wearlayers -- vinyl or urethane. The urethane is considered more scuff resistant than vinyl, Matticola said. The urethane wearlayer is sold with a shiny or matte finish.

Maintenance

Consumers should be careful not to track in petroleum products, such as that found on an asphalt driveway, onto a vinyl floor. "Petroleum reacts with vinyl and can yellow the floor over time," Matticola said.

Some area rugs also have petroleum in their backing and should be avoided. You have to be very careful with any throw rugs you put on vinyl. Rugs with bright colors also may bleed onto the floor, particularly in the kitchen when water is likely to land on the floor, Matticola said. "There are dye colors that transfer over time," she said.

Those who want a little more luxury in the floors often choose ceramic tile.  Ceramic is considered more durable than vinyl and has a thicker, richer look. Consumers should view their ceramic tile selection as a long term investment, however, as ceramic is more difficult to remove than vinyl. It’s best to stick with neutral colors because you'll probably change the carpet that abuts it before you change the ceramic tile.

Designing with Ceramic

Ceramic also can be installed several different ways to add variety to the overall design.  If you have a large room, you can do the entire floor in a neutral color and then do two rows along the edge in an accent color.

A diagonal pattern is another option, but one that is more visually appealing in large rooms. The cost will be higher because the installation is more time-consuming and it requires buying more tiles because there is waste as tiles are cut to make the pattern.

Some prefer to mix the sizes -- instead of putting a 12-by-12 next to a 12-by-12, they'll put an 8-by-12, then a 12-by-12. This creates an interesting pattern and adds some individuality to the floor.