Are you looking to put new flooring in your home, but aren’t sure which are the best flooring options to choose from? AZ Big Media did a nice write-up about this topic…this content was originally published here.
When it comes to choosing new flooring, making a decision can be overwhelming. After all, there are so many flooring options out there, how are you supposed to know which one is best for your home?
If you’re looking for the best flooring options that are both durable and stylish, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on to learn about the most durable flooring options for your home.
1. Hardwood
Hardwood flooring isn’t just popular because of how versatile it is, it’s popular because it’s also super durable.
When properly maintained, these floors can last decades upon decades. Although they’re susceptible to water damage and cracking, hardwood floors are easy to clean and provide a stunning foundation for any style.
When choosing hardwood floors for your home, it’s important to keep the following in mind:
Wood Hardness
If durability is what you’re after, then it’s important that you choose the right species of wood for your home.
For example, pine wood can dent easily, whereas Brazilian redwood is extremely durable.
Tough Finish
Regardless of the type of wood you choose, you want to make sure that you choose the right finish, as this plays a huge role in the overall durability of the wood.
If your hardwood floor starts to look shabby after a while, you can always have it refinished, which is one of the main reasons hardwood floors can last so long.
Care and Maintenance
All flooring needs care and maintenance, but this is especially so with hardwood floors. Try to keep pets and high heels off of your hardwood floors, and put area rugs down in high traffic areas.
As an alternative to hardwood, you may also want to consider engineered hardwood flooring.
2. Laminate
While laminate may not be the classiest of flooring options, it’s very affordable and also perhaps the most durable option on the market.
Quality laminate flooring can be found for $3 to $5 per square foot.
If you have a busy household that receives a lot of floor traffic, laminate flooring is a great option to consider. In addition to holding up well against foot traffic, laminate flooring is also scratch-resistant, noise-resistant, and spill-proof. In fact, many manufacturers offer a 25-year guarantee against wear and tear with laminate floors.
Laminate is also resistant to moisture and fading from the sun, making it a great alternative to hardwood floors.
3. Cork
If you’re looking for a flooring option that is durable and environmentally-friendly, look no further than cork flooring.
Thanks to its soft nature, it’s quiet and warm under the foot. Due to the springy quality of cork, it rebounds well from high traffic and minor dinks. However, due to the fact that it’s softer than wood, you need to treat it carefully. High heels, sharp objects, and dragging heavy objects across cork floors can all be a recipe for disaster.
But, if you treat it with care and attention, your cork flooring will have a very long lifespan. We suggest sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping your cork floors once per week. This will help remove dirt and debris that can scar the floors over time if left unattended.
You should also prepare to re-seal your cork floors on a regular basis with a protective coat or wax finish.
It’s also a good idea to place felt pads or protective coasters under your furniture, as bare furniture can leave dents in the floor over time.
4. Bamboo
Like cork, bamboo is another great eco-friendly flooring option.
Due to its sustainability, price, and stylish looks, bamboo has sky-rocketed in popularity over the last few years.
However, this popularity comes with a price, as now many companies are relying on overseas production to keep their pricing competitive. This has led to low-quality flooring entering the market.
For high-quality bamboo flooring, look for one that has 7 to 8 coats of aluminum oxide finish. It’s also a good idea to shop for wider planks, as this indicates higher standards of manufacturing and therefore, higher quality.
Also, make sure you purchase your bamboo flooring from a trusted manufacturer.
5. Vinyl
Vinyl is another great option for those on the hunt for durable flooring. Not only is vinyl inexpensive when compared to the other options on this list, but it’s also very stylish.
It also comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors, making it easy to find something to suit your style. If you spend a lot of time standing or cooking, vinyl is a great option, as its cushy structure can help alleviate muscle fatigue.
Vinyl is also great in the kitchen and other highly trafficked areas because it’s easy to take care of. Just some weekly sweeping and mopping is all you need to keep your vinyl floors in good shape. Vinyl is also stainproof and waterproof, making it a great option for those who have young children.
6. Stone
Last but not least, we have “stone” of various kinds.
Due to its cool-to-touch surface, stone of any kind is a great option for those who live in warm climates. However, not all stone flooring is durable. For high durability, we recommend purchasing a non-porous stone flooring, such as slate or granite.
Stone is also incredibly stain-resistant, making it a great choice for families with pets and young children.
Which One Will You Choose?
Now that you know about the most durable flooring options on the market, it’s time to choose the right one for your home.
Before you know it, you’ll be walking on a brand new surface.
If you liked this article, be sure to check back in with our website for more tips and tricks related to home improvement. When you are ready, give us a call (707) 864-2199 for an in-home design consultation conducted in a safe manner.
This content was originally published here.