The flooring is the foundation for the rest of the room. It needs to be fashionable, easy-to-clean, and durable, especially in high-traffic areas throughout the home. Whether you are laying new floors in a single room or updating the flooring throughout the home, choosing the right product is a crucial first step. Understanding the differences in high-traffic flooring materials can help you determine which flooring option best suits the needs of your space.
First, consider the needs of the space. How many people pass through the room daily? Are children and pets a consideration? Use those initial considerations and the overall style of the space to choose a product that will elevate the design.
High-Traffic Flooring Options for Your Home
Luxury Vinyl
It doesn’t get more high-traffic than commercial buildings, and most luxury vinyl tile and plank products are rated to hold up to commercial use. This makes it a great high-traffic flooring option for a busy home as well. This easy-to-install product is also a great project for the weekend warrior. Vinyl flooring comes in a wide array of different colors and textures, all at a price point that works within most budgets. The cost-effective nature of this material has made it an increasingly popular choice.
This durable option holds up to high-traffic areas without scratching or scuffing. Because it is waterproof, it is ideal for wet areas of the home such as mudrooms and laundry rooms. This makes it possible to run the same luxury vinyl flooring through every room of the house, even the bathroom and kitchen. Even furniture won’t tend to gouge this long-lasting flooring.
Natural Stone
There are few materials as resilient as natural stone. Granite, limestone, and sandstone are a great way to bring the beauty of a natural product into the home. The timeless elegance of natural stone makes it a flooring that will hold up to many years of enjoyment. Of all the flooring options, natural stone is one of the most expensive, depending on which type of stone is selected. It also requires professional installation for durable results.
Some natural floors require a sealant at installation. Review the many different types of sealers available to ensure you select one designed to hold up to high-traffic areas throughout the home. Natural stone is so durable, it is even approved for outdoor and transitional spaces, such as patios, lanais, and even pool decks.
Laminate Flooring
When it comes to affordability and durability, laminate flooring is a long-time favorite among high-traffic flooring options. This material is easy to install, eliminating the need to pay for professional installation. This versatile flooring material gives you the look of wood, tile, and other materials at a fraction of the cost. This man-made material features a layered process and comes in a variety of thicknesses, ranging from about 6 mm up to roughly 15 mm. Review the specific laminate product carefully to select the one that will provide you with the best durability possible.
Engineered & Solid Hardwood
When you’re looking for traditional style, solid hardwood and engineered hardwood provide classic elegance. These products, although beautiful, tend to experience wear and tear in high-traffic areas of the home. If this is the flooring for you, there are a few strategies that will help keep the floors protected on a day-to-day basis. First, choose one of the harder, more durable wood types or engineered wood options. During installation, finish the floors with a protective top-coat.
Finally, take precautions to limit scratches and dents by trimming the nails of any pets and keeping cleats and high heels off the floors and in the entryway or mudroom. A decorative rug near the front door will provide an extra layer of protection while you’re kicking off your shoes. Of course, you can get the look of wood and the durability of tile by choosing wood look tile instead.
Porcelain Tile
For the everyday lifestyle of a busy household, porcelain tile is an excellent haigh-traffic flooring choice. This dense product comes in a range of PEI ratings, with 0 being the weakest and 5 being the strongest. When shopping for porcelain tiles to lay in your high-traffic areas, look for those with a PEI rating of either 4 or 5. Porcelain tile is available in a wide range of textures, colors, and styles, making it easy to find that that perfectly coordinates with the look of your home or business.
With so many different flooring options available, it is easy to find an option that provides both style and durability. Keep it classic with a porcelain tile or utilize today’s technologies by laying luxury vinyl flooring down in the home. Once you’ve determined the right type of product, choose a color and style that speaks to the overall aesthetic of the space. Give any hard flooring an added layer of protection in high-traffic areas by considering an area rug or runner near doorways.
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