Floor Facts: What Is the Most Durable Type of Flooring?
When it comes to floor facts, you might be wondering: what is the most durable type of flooring? Find out what you need to know.
Did you know on average in the U.S., it costs about $3000 to replace flooring in a 500 square foot space?
With such a big price tag, it’s important that you choose a flooring material that’s going to hold up well to daily wear and tear and last for years to come. If you are in the market for new flooring and are wondering what the most durable flooring is, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading to learn about some of the most durable flooring options on the market today.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is made to last and requires very little maintenance. As one of the most durable flooring options available, laminate is scratch and spill-resistant.
Laminate comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Most commonly you’ll find laminate flooring that mimics the look of hardwood. It’s also available in stone or tile varieties. No matter what your taste or home decor looks like, you’re sure to find a laminate style that is right for you.
Laminate gets its durability from its composition of several strong layers. These layers include the backing layer, substrate layer, pattern layer, and wear layer. Each layer has its own purpose, and together they create a very durable floor.
Laminate is water-resistant, but not entirely waterproof. You may want to avoid using it in high moisture areas like bathrooms. Be sure to take into consideration where in your home you need flooring when trying to choose the right type of durable floor.
Tile
Tile floor is moisture resistant and can handle heavy foot traffic. Its durability protects it against deterioration and makes it very easy to maintain.
There are different types of tile floors to choose from, which range in durability. Below are descriptions of three of the main types of tile floor options.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tile. They are made out of dense, non-porous clay. The clay properties make them a hard and water-resistant flooring. They’re very resistant to scratching and scuffing and are a great choice for high-traffic areas of the home.
Non-Porcelain Tiles
Non-porcelain tiles are the second type of ceramic tile. While they are less durable than porcelain tiles, they also have some perks. They are easier to cut, which makes them generally easier to install. They’re also a more economical choice than porcelain if you are looking to stick to a certain budget.
Natural Stone
Natural stone tiles are even more durable than porcelain. Natural stone flooring will have some variation amongst tiles. You can find styles ranging from slight variation to large variation.
Because of the natural variances, stone tiles can make a large room look too busy. To create a cohesive look, it’s important to choose stone tile and other design elements in the room carefully.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood flooring can last anywhere between 20 to 100 years. The large variation depends on a few factors like the quality of the product used and how well-maintained the floor is. Beyond their long lifespan, hardwood floors can also be sanded and refinished many times. That means imperfections from scratches and scuffs don’t have to stay there forever.
The species of wood and the finish you choose both affect the durability of hardwood floors. Hickory, maple, and oak are some of the sturdiest types of hardwood flooring. On the other hand, walnut and cherry floors are easy to scratch or damage.
Solid wood floors are not water-resistant. If you live in an area with high humidity or really want hardwood floors in a room prone to moisture, consider engineered hardwood. It can help mitigate some issues solid hardwood has with water.
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring has become popular recently due to its attractiveness, durability, and sustainability. Even though bamboo is a type of grass, the production process of bamboo flooring makes it as durable as hardwood.
Like hardwood, it is water-resistant but not fully waterproof. When finished properly, bamboo is very easy to clean and maintain. It is also possible to refinish bamboo floors, so any unwanted scuffs or scratches can be taken care of.
Bamboo floors are popular with people looking for natural, renewable building materials. If sustainability is important to you, be sure to take bamboo into consideration. It’s not only sustainable, but it’s a durable floor choice that will make any room look great.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring has gotten more popular recently, largely in part due to its durability. It’s made up of multiple synthetic layers that make it scuff-resistant and able to stand up to heavy furniture and high heels.
Depending on the specific product you choose, vinyl flooring is waterproof or water-resistant. Its spill-resistant properties make it very easy to maintain.
You can find vinyl flooring in a plank or tile option. It comes in a huge variety of colors and patterns. It comes in finishes to resemble floorings like hardwood, stone, and concrete.
Need Durable Flooring for Your Phoenix Home?
Now that you know all about the most durable flooring options, are you ready to choose flooring for your Phoenix home? From tile to hardwood, there are durable floors that will fit in any home.
As you’re exploring durable flooring options, give us a call at Eagle Flooring West. We can help you make the best flooring decision for your home and help you install it.
