While appearance is an essential aspect when choosing flooring materials, durability should be the major concern when selecting material for high-traffic areas. For instance, normal hardwood is ideal for a living room or a dining room due to its coziness and rich appearance. However, it’s ineffective in high traffic areas such as the hallway or kitchen. Thus, flooring materials for high-traffic areas need to be tougher for wear resistance, stains, and sunlight. The following are the top flooring picks for high traffic areas.
1. Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is undoubtedly one of the top performing flooring materials for high traffic areas, especially in durability and ease of maintenance. Tiles are waterproof and tend to perform well in wet areas.
Additionally, tiles are eco and allergy-friendly since they do not contain harmful chemicals that can be released into the air. Moreover, tile is versatile in design due to high-resolution digital printing that can make it look like hardwood, natural stone, or marble. However, tile installation can be challenging and requires professional help from a local contractor.
Generally, tiles have a higher Overall Score of Excellence (OSE) and perform superbly in resisting scratches, foot traffic, stains, and sunlight.
2. Laminate
Laminate is one of the best types of high-traffic home flooring materials, especially if you are looking for something durable, affordable, and comfortable. It performs excellently in high traffic areas, such as the kitchen and wet areas, due to its waterproof features.
Laminate can offer you a unique appearance due to the high-end technology that can make the material resemble natural stone or hardwood.
When you are considering the best types of flooring materials for home renovation, laminate is easy to install, clean, and maintain. It’s worth noting that laminate flooring comes in different quality levels.
Thus, for high-traffic home areas, consider choosing the best quality that can sustain wear and tear longer. Also, it has a lifespan of 15 to
20 years, reducing maintenance costs.
3. Engineered Wood
Some types of hardwood are not typically the best type of flooring materials for high-traffic areas due to softer nature and glossy finishes. However, not all woods are the same, and their durability is rated through the Janka Hardness Test. Some hardwood species, such as acacia oak, Brazilian hardwood, hickory, and maple, have a higher score, exceeding the recommended level.
Apart from its durability, engineered wood increases the value of your house through its appealing nature. Additionally, it’s environmentally friendly and is unlikely to contain harmful chemicals and allergens.
Engineered hardwood has a lifespan of 40 years and can usually be sanded and refinished. You can purchase it at a local contractor or home renovation and improvement stores.
4. Luxury Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the top flooring picks due to the protective layers that protect it from stains, scratch, and scuffs. Luxury Vinyl flooring is the best vinyl for high-traffic areas and is mainly available in planks tiles and planks. These higher-end options are known for their exceptional durability and resilience. Moreover, luxury vinyl planks and tiles have top performing benefits, such as are waterproof features, easy to clean, and easy to install.
