When you’re deciding which flooring option is best for the room you’re updating, there are several things that you need to consider, including:
If the room you’re planning to update has high traffic, then there are some flooring options that you’ll want to turn your attention to. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the top selections you can choose from.
Tile
When it comes to durability, tile hits it out of the park. This flooring is very durable and long-lasting. When it’s glazed, it offers scratch resistance. It’s also very easy to keep clean. And it’s great for rooms that have a high moisture content since it stands up to water.
On the downside, tile can get very cold when the climate is cool. It’s also very hard, this can be a downside when you’re on your feet for a long time or when you drop something. If you drop something that is delicate it is sure to break. On the other hand, if you drop something dense, it could cause the tile to shatter.
In addition, tile is very affordable. However, it’s a flooring style that requires professional installation, which can increase the cost by several hundreds of dollars.
Laminate
This durable flooring option is also very affordable. It’s come a long way from the original styles and now you can get ones that can look like stone or hardwood flooring. Laminate really can be quite beautiful. Plus, it’s easier on your feet than tile, since it’s not quite as hard. In addition, there is a protective layer that helps the flooring be scratch-resistant.
Unfortunately, laminate does have a few drawbacks. For one, it doesn’t hold up to water and shouldn’t be installed in rooms where there’s more moisture or a greater chance of spills. That means if any liquids do get on the floor, they will need to be wiped up right away. Otherwise, the floor could experience permanent damage. Second, laminate needs to be replaced more frequently than tile or hardwood. Make sure to take that into account when making plans for your remodel.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a classic choice but it can also be a more expensive one. It can increase your home’s resale value and add real charm to the interior. Plus, hardwood tends to last for generations. In fact, hardwood can last up to 100 years, as opposed to the 10 or 25 years that laminate or luxury vinyl flooring might last.
Hardwood is very easy to clean. Like laminate though, hardwood does have an issue with water, which means you need to clean up any messes quickly to prevent long-term damage. And it does get scratched easily. Thankfully, you can have hardwood floors refinished several times to restore their original glory. Keep in mind, there are engineered hardwoods as well. These materials hold up to moisture better than traditional hardwood and can last for up to 40 years.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring comes in waterproof and water-resistant options, allowing you to choose something that’s affordable but also good for those high-moisture rooms. Like the other flooring options in this blog, it’s also durable. And, like laminate, installation is relatively easy.
Luxury vinyl flooring is softer than tile and more noise-dampening than some of the other options in this blog. Unfortunately, it isn’t as scratch-resistant as tile. Luxury Vinyl Flooring does come in various designs, similar to laminate. It can imitate the look of other materials, such as hardwood or tile. Luxury vinyl flooring is also easy to keep clean. Unfortunately, luxury vinyl flooring does have a disadvantage in the fact that it isn’t as long-lasting as hardwood or tile.
As you can see, each flooring style offers different advantages and drawbacks. All of the options covered in this blog are durable and relatively easy to keep clean. However, they each have their own specific characteristics. So, you’ll have to determine what your needs are and which flooring type would fit the room best.
Also, keep in mind, your flooring can last longer if you take some added steps. Make sure that any furniture legs have protective pads to help reduce scuffing or scratching. In addition, make sure every door has a welcome mat to wipe off feet onto, and don’t forget to stick to a regular cleaning schedule. If you’d like help finding the right flooring for your home, please reach out to us at Carpets America. We’d be happy to assist you.