All homeowners want flooring that has good aesthetics, but at the same time, they also want a material that will be durable and last many years. Regularly replacing flooring not only causes inconvenience to the home users, but it is a costly venture. You preferably want flooring that will last at least 2 decades or more.
So when selecting flooring for a home, it is always important to go with durable materials that will withstand heavy foot traffic, pets, kids, and visitors; sometimes, you may have to sacrifice a little in aesthetics so that you have a flooring that will last you a long time.
Thankfully today, several flooring materials are not only durable but also affordable. However, when you walk into a flooring store, the onus is also on you to know what to look for in durable flooring. To determine if the flooring is durable, ask the following questions?
- How long will this flooring last with good maintenance?
- Does it scratch or dent easily?
- Is it moisture resistant? Will it warp when exposed to humidity?
- What type of finishing is there? Is the finish stain-resistant, sunlight friendly, and will it need regular refinishing?
- Is the flooring easy to clean and maintain? Will I need special equipment for cleaning? Will any cleaning technique affect the durability of the flooring?
The Most Durable Floorings
Tiles
Tiles have been around for many decades, and over the years, the product has undergone small technical changes to make product durable and tough. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are now standard in many homes and businesses chiefly because they are easy to clean and require little maintenance.
Because both ceramic and porcelain tiles are not porous, they will not get stained and are water-resistant. But to be on the safe side, it is important to have tiles that have an extra surface sealant covering for maximum protection. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are durable, but this also depends on how you look after them. While the latest tiles are scratch and stain-resistant, if you drop a heavy object, the tile will crack.
But tiles have great aesthetics, are easy to clean and maintain, do not collect dirt, are moisture-resistant, and are available in many shapes, sizes, and patterns. Tiles also impart a cooling effect on the feet and keep the home cool- which is great if you reside in a hot and humid climate like Florida.
If you can take care of tiles, then they can easily last several decades without any hassles. The key is to have an expert do the installation because any gaps will introduce moisture below the flooring. Tiles are best installed in the laundry room, kitchen bathroom, hallway, entrance, and even the outdoors.
The key to tile flooring is to have a proper installation on a correctly primed floor. If well maintained, tiles can easily last several decades.
Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood is renowned for its durability and certainly should be considered as the flooring of choice if longevity is a priority. If hardwood is well maintained, its lifespan will last more than several decades. But there are other features to consider about hardwood:
- Wood Hardness: All hardwood is rated for hardness. For example, Brazilian redwood is very hard, whereas pine is considered soft. Some very hardwood include hickory, ash, white oak, beech, black walnut, and several more; of course, the harder the wood, the more expensive it becomes.
- Moisture Resistance: unlike engineered wood, hardwood is not 100% moisture resistant. If fluid spills are not promptly cleaned, the prolonged wetness can cause the hardwood to warp. The key is not to have hardwood installed in your bathroom, kitchen, and any place where wetness is a problem.
- The Right Finish: There are several finishes available for hardwood flooring, and many of the prefinished hardwood products already incorporate microbial protection, UV light reflection, and scratch resistance. You should avoid wax finishes as they are not scratch resistant. The best-recommended finish for hardwood flooring is polyurethane.
- Refinishing: It is important to note that solid hardwood flooring can be refinished every 5-7 years. The refinish will restore the gloss and aesthetics. But you can only refinish hardwood floorings no more than 3-4 times.
The key to the longevity of a hardwood floor is good maintenance. You should avoid leaving liquid spills on the hardwood floor, make use of rugs in areas of huge traffic, and rotate furniture to protect the flooring from direct sunlight. Hardwood is very easy to clean and maintain, and if well looked after, it can easily last more than 3-4 decades.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate has come a long way. The first-generation products were tacky and had poor aesthetics. Move fast forward to 2022, the latest laminate flooring is superb. It is available in many styles, designs, and patterns, and best of all, it is also durable. It is the ideal flooring for a busy household with heavy foot traffic.
Laminate has a high-density fiberboard core in combination with a transparent surface layer that also offers anti-scratch, anti-moisture, and anti-slip features. Hence the latest laminate flooring will be very durable and probably indestructible. And the best part is the modern manufacturing techniques of making laminate make it almost indistinguishable from hardwood, marble, or concrete.
If you decide to go with laminate flooring, always look for the abrasion class (AC) ratings; the higher the number, the more durable the flooring.
The other thing is that Laminate is budget-friendly, but you should not go for the cheaper products. Unlike luxury vinyl, not all laminate flooring is moisture resistant. Because of its cost and durability, laminate is the ideal flooring for hallways, bedrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and anywhere else where you want to mimic the look of hardwood.
Luxury Vinyl
Luxury vinyl is another resilient flooring that is available as a tile or a plank. Luxury vinyl has many great features that include:
- Excellent aesthetics
- Available in many styles and patterns
- Can be installed in any room, including the bathroom, basement, and kitchen
- It’s durable
- It is moisture resistant
- It will withstand significant heavy foot traffic
- The latest luxury vinyl can mimic stone, concrete, and hardwood
Because of the way luxury vinyl is constructed with different layers, it has excellent inner stability and resistance to wear and tear. Before you purchase luxury vinyl, here are two things you should look for:
- The surface wear layer is what keeps the flooring scratch-proof, UV resistant, and moisture-proof. Always check that the brand you are buying has a thick surface layer
- The inner/core layer is what determines the moisture resistance and stability
To reduce the risk of warping, some brands of luxury vinyl require that the material be first acclimated to the local environment before installation. Luxury vinyl is easy to clean and maintain. If well looked after, it will easily last several decades.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is also durable flooring and will last as long as the surface veneer lasts. Engineered wood is constructed with multiple layers of wood, each placed in a different direction. The surface veneer is usually plywood. This method of construction prevents the engineered wood from bowing and warping when exposed to moisture. But unlike hardwood, if scratches develop, engineered wood cannot be refinished more than 2 times.
But if you maintain engineered wood, it is very durable and has the same aesthetics as hardwood. To help prevent scratches and increase the shelf life, place area rugs and throw rugs in locations where the foot traffic is heaviest. If you have pets, their nails should be regularly trimmed, or you should place a large heavy rug in the pet area.
Overall, engineered wood has better moisture resistance than hardwood and, if well looked after, can easily last 2-3 decades.
Carpet
Most people would never include carpet in the category of durability. While that is true of most carpets, there are modern carpets made of nylon fibers which are very durable and tough. These nylon carpets are frequently installed in gyms, exercise parlors, weight rooms, hospitals, commercial buildings, garages, and so on.
The nylon fibers can withstand significant traffic without losing their functionality. Of course, the one thing about nylon carpets is that they lack aesthetics and may not be applicable in the home, except for the basement. But if you want a durable carpet for your garage, look for a loop carpet, and you will not be disappointed.
Final Point
Today, technology has made it possible that most available flooring materials will easily last 2 decades or more if well maintained. The key is good maintenance. If you want to know more about durable floorings, contact a rep from East Coast Flooring