When considering a new floor, we all want our home to look great. But equally important is a floor that will withstand a busy home and lifestyle. Heavy traffic demands that you install a tough, durable and solid flooring.
If you have kids, pets and like to entertain, there are durable flooring options that are suitable for the long-term wear and tear your floor will endure. The type you choose will depend on your needs and budget, as well as your personal style and aesthetic.
Tile Flooring
Tile has been in use for more than 5,000 years, and one of the many reasons is due to its durability. Tile is classed by its hardness, which helps determine where it can be used. The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) standards are used to rate tile on a 1-5 scale with 5 being the hardest and most durable. For high traffic areas of the home a rating of 4 or 5 on the PEI chart is ideal to get many years of quality performance from your floor. Tile tends to resist wear, moisture, scratches, dents and stains and is a good option for long-term use.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring uses a photographic image applied to a laminate wood base to replicate wood, stone, tile and other types of floor covering. It is a great alternative to hardwood and less expensive. If considering laminate for high traffic areas, choose a product with a high-density fiberboard and a thick wear layer of melamine resin. Laminate stands up to tough wear and tear including dog claws and high heels. And unlike wood flooring, laminate is pretty resistant to sunlight fading and moisture. Overall, laminate is a very suitable choice to meet your heavy traffic demands.
Hardwood Flooring
Even though hardwood can scratch and dent, it doesn?t mean that you should rule it out as a possibility for high traffic areas. Wood has a natural warmth and impressive wear resistance. If you choose a species of wood with a strong hardness rating and a strong finish, it?s going to be very durable and resilient under normal conditions. If routine wear and tear means you own several dogs, wear high heels often or continuously track dirt and gravel in from the outdoors, then hardwood is probably not the best choice. We recommended speaking with a qualified professional to determine the best options to meet your needs.
Carpet Flooring
If carpeting is your flooring of choice in high traffic areas, it can be important to ensure it won?t lose its color, softness and shape in a short amount of time. Most carpets in the U.S. are made from one of the many pile fibers including nylon, cotton, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic or wool. The best options for durability are nylon or wool. Like pile fibers, yarn?s twist level also plays a role in determining carpet durability. A yarn?s twist level refers to how many times a yarn is twisted per one inch. A tighter twist indicates a strong blend that will resist falling apart and the higher the twist level, the more resilient the carpet.
Color doesn?t make a difference in durability of carpet, but it is important in preserving appearance. Light carpeting shows dirt and spills more than darker alternatives, but dark carpeting can make light crumbs, dirt and lint more visible. For this reason, marbled carpets are best for high traffic areas of the home. The multicolored appearance helps blend dirt and stains well, giving it a clean look. Overall, selecting a nylon, high twist level carpet will perform the best in the busiest rooms of your home.
Wayne Wiles Floor Coverings offers a vast selection of durable flooring options and never sacrifices quality for low cost. From carpet to hardwood floors, the Wayne Wiles team can offer advice on the best choices for your needs and provide estimates for a variety of brands and products. Contact us to schedule a free flooring estimate at (239) 204-5700.
-
4 mins
