Flooring For High Traffic Areas
Your floors withstand a lot, from muddy soccer cleats, rumbunctious pets, family get-togethers, daily messes, and more. If you haven’t invested in durable flooring that can handle your lifestyle, your flooring will start to look dull, scratched, or damaged in other ways
When you have a busy home, you need flooring that can endure. Especially in areas of high use, such as your hallways, entryways, living room, and kitchen, you want flooring that will remain beautiful for many years.
Fortunately, there are several options ideal for high-traffic areas of your home, including laminate, porcelain tile, luxury vinyl plank, and even some hardwood. You can easily find durable flooring to match your home’s aesthetic and your budget, while providing you years of resilience.
Whether your family is growing, you are ready to replace your worn flooring, or you are remodeling your home, we, at Stine Home + Yard, carry a variety of flooring perfect for your home. We can help you find the right product to complement your personal style, meeting your lifestyle needs, and stay within your budget.
Things to Consider
Before investing in new floors for the high-traffic areas in your home, there are factors to consider, including:
- How will the space be used?
- How much time am I willing to spend on maintenance?
- What is my personal style?
- What is my budget?
How will the space be used?
Rooms like your bedroom or a formal dining room, may not see as much as your family room, kitchen, hallways, or entryway. The flooring in your formal dining room that’s only used for holidays doesn’t need the same level of durability as your entryway that sees daily use. Knowing how the space will be used will help you understand the performance level required to prevent your floors from showing wear.
How much time am I willing to spend on maintenance?
While all flooring needs some level of routine care and maintenance, other options need more attention and time. Laminate and vinyl tend to be the two lowest maintenance options available, requiring very little care to retain their beauty and style. Other flooring, such as tile or hardwood may need more time and effort.
What is my personal style?
Many people start the floor-buying process with a color scheme or a design style in mind. Because flooring is so versatile when it comes to style, though, you’ll find a flooring made for high traffic that matches any look — from modern to traditional, rustic to elegant, informal to formal, and so much more.
What is my budget?
You want a flooring option that meets your performance requirements within your budget. Fortunately, there are several options at different costs. Vinyl and laminate floors tend to be more budget-friendly than tile or hardwood. However, because tile and hardwood can last decades with the right care, many homeowners find these options to be a sound investment.
Once you’ve explored some of these considerations, you will have a better idea of the products that are right for you and your personal needs.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners because of its versatility, durability, and affordability. Laminate is made with multiple layers fused together:
- The core gives the flooring stability
- A design layer is made to mimic the appearance of genuine wood or stone
- A protective layer makes the flooring more resilient, which provides you excellent resistance to the daily wear and tear caused by foot traffic, as well as scratches and stains.
Laminate Maintenance
One of the key advantages of laminate flooring is its ease of maintenance. It requires minimal upkeep, typically requiring regular sweeping to remove dirt and debris. Occasional damp mopping is sufficient to keep it clean and looking its best.
Laminate Style
When it comes to style, laminate flooring offers a wide range designs, patterns, and colors. It mimics the look of hardwood or stone, at a fraction of the cost. Whether you prefer the warmth of oak or the elegance of marble, laminate flooring provides numerous options to suit your desired look.
Laminate Cost
Cost is another significant advantage of laminate flooring. Its affordability allows homeowners to achieve the look they desire without breaking the bank. Since laminate flooring is easy to install, choosing it will save on fees associated with installation. Many homeowners can even successfully install their own laminate.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is an exceptional choice for high traffic areas due to its remarkable durability and resistance to stains and moisture. It is crafted from dense clay that is fired at high temperatures, resulting in a hard and durable surface. It can withstand the constant foot traffic without showing signs of wear or damage, making it ideal for areas where people frequently pass, such as hallways and entryways. Since porcelain can also handle moisture, it is ideal for mudrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Porcelain Tile Maintenance
Daily care for porcelain tile is relatively simple. Regular sweeping, coupled with occasional damp mopping, is sufficient to keep it clean. Porcelain tile's inherent resistance to stains and moisture makes it an excellent choice for high traffic areas, as spills can be easily wiped away.
Porcelain Tile Styles
Porcelain tile offers a variety of designs, colors, textures, and patterns, as well as shapes and sizes. From sleek and modern to classic and traditional, there's a porcelain tile option to match any look.
Porcelain Tile Cost
While the upfront cost of porcelain tile may be slightly higher compared to other options, its longevity and durability make it a worthwhile investment. The long-term value and durability of porcelain tile justify the initial investment.
Luxury Vinyl Plank
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) provides exceptional durability, affordability, and realistic wood or stone looks. It is constructed with multiple layers of vinyl, fused together for strength and stability. It is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and moisture, making it an ideal choice for high traffic areas. Because it is waterproof, you can install it in any room of your home, including the kitchen, bathroom, entryways, or mudrooms. With its strong protective layer, LVP can withstand the daily wear and tear caused by foot traffic, ensuring that it maintains its appearance for an extended period.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Maintenance
Regular sweeping or vacuuming, coupled with occasional damp mopping, is typically sufficient to keep vinyl clean. Unlike natural wood or stone, luxury vinyl plank does not require sealing or refinishing, making it a low-maintenance flooring option.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Styles
Luxury vinyl plank offers a wide range of styles and textures. It can convincingly replicate the look of hardwood or natural stone, providing a realistic and elegant appearance, with intricate details, textures, and depth.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Cost
Cost is another significant advantage of luxury vinyl plank. It is generally more affordable than hardwood or natural stone flooring options. Many homeowners can install their own luxury vinyl plank, saving on installation fees.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring remains a timeless and luxurious choice for high traffic areas. Nothing compares to the warm aesthetic, natural tones, and unique textures of hardwood flooring. When properly maintained, hardwood floors can last for decades. It is crucial to choose hardwood species that are particularly durable, such as oak or maple, for high traffic areas. With their hardness, these species can withstand the constant foot traffic without showing wear.
Hardwood Maintenance
To maintain the beauty and longevity of hardwood floors, regular sweeping is essential to remove dirt and debris that can cause scratches. Occasional damp mopping with a specialized hardwood floor cleaner will help maintain their luster. It is important to avoid excessive moisture, as it can damage the wood.
Hardwood Styles
One of the significant advantages of hardwood flooring is its natural beauty and timeless appeal. Each plank of hardwood showcases unique grain patterns and colors, adding character and charm to your home. Solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times, allowing you to restore their original appearance if signs of wear do appear.
Hardwood Cost
Hardwood flooring can vary significantly in cost depending on the species, grade, and installation method chosen. While it may have a higher upfront cost compared to other options, hardwood flooring is generally considered a long-term investment that adds value to your home.
Choosing the right flooring for high traffic areas in your home is crucial to ensure longevity, durability, and the overall appearance. Though other options of flooring may be considered durable, the best ones for high-traffic areas of your home are laminate, porcelain tile, luxury vinyl plank, and hardwood. By considering factors such as durability, maintenance, aesthetics, and cost, homeowners can make an informed decision. By carefully weighing the pros and cons of each type of flooring and considering your specific needs and preferences, you can select the best flooring option that will withstand the demands of high traffic areas while enhancing the overall look of your home.
Contact us or visit one of our convenient locations of Stine Home + Yard throughout Louisiana to begin your next flooring project today!