What Is the Most Durable Type of Flooring?

Many homeowners desire quality, durable flooring that will last. Whether you have a large family with playful kids or love to host and entertain gatherings, floors take on a lot of foot traffic, spilled drinks, and more. So what is the more durable type of flooring? Prestige Flooring & Tile breaks down the top four durable flooring options for your home. 

1. Vinyl Flooring

In general, vinyl flooring is a highly durable multi-layer flooring option and is excellent for high traffic areas, like hallways and kitchens, where soft underfooting can alleviate a tired chef’s feet. Plus, vinyl flooring is extremely easy to maintain, with both water-resistant and spill-resistant qualities. To suit any style or taste, vinyl plank and tile come in a variety of colors and patterns to resemble anything from wood to natural stone and concrete. 

When choosing vinyl flooring, one thing to keep in mind is that vinyl sheet flooring typically comes in 12-foot rolls. This works great for rooms that are 12 feet wide or less. However, if your space is wider, you may create an exposed seam, which can invite moisture and damage the subfloor–just something to consider.

2. Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is another durable flooring option with a gorgeous natural appearance. However, even the most durable hardwoods with a high rating can scratch. To some homeowners, scratches add character, but others prefer a sleek wood look. The redeeming feature of hardwoods is that they can be sanded, refinished and restored back to their original condition.  

3. Waterproof Hardwood

Waterproof hardwoods offer the natural beauty of authentic hardwoods with the exceptional performance of rigid core flooring. It’s constructed of 1.2 mm genuine hardwood veneer bonded with a dense 5 mm NINJA Core H2O™, which makes it stronger than engineered woods and wood plastic composite (WPC) flooring. 

While waterproof hardwood flooring is fairly new to the market, there are many practical reasons to purchase this multi-layer flooring. Waterproof hardwoods are sustainable, offer heat resistance through the NINJA Core technology and offer acoustical backing with a 1 mm Irradiated Cross-linked Polyethylene (IXPE) foam padding. The best part is that waterproof hardwoods are actually quite affordable!

4. Laminate

Laminate flooring is designed to last and has extremely low maintenance. One of the most durable flooring options, laminate is scratch-resistant, spill-resistant and offers acoustical properties to soften each step. Laminate also comes in an extensive variety of colors and patterns to suit every taste and decor style. 

Laminate’s durability is due to the makeup of several strong layers of materials, from the top wear layer to the base bottom layer. A transparent top layer can withstand scratches from heavy furniture and rowdy dogs (and their claws) running around the house. For the most durable laminate floors, seek a higher AC (Abrasion Class) rating, which ranks a laminate’s resistance to abrasion, impact, stains and more. A laminate AC rating ranges from a moderate AC1 to a heavy-duty AC5. (You should find this on each laminate’s specifications.) 

Laminate is also water-resistant, offering a somewhat protective barrier; however, it’s not entirely waterproof. You might want to think twice about laying laminate down in moisture-prone bathrooms and kitchens where accidental puddles may occur.

Other Factors that Affect Flooring Durability

Sometimes, your floors are only as good as their subfloor. When you decide to install new flooring and go to replace the existing floors, check the condition of the subfloor. The subfloor should offer a flat surface (especially for new flooring with click locking systems) and be free from moisture. Whether you remove subfloors that have been glued down or floated, this can also add to the overall installation cost.   

If you are looking for the most durable type of flooring, contact Prestige Flooring & Tile today!