When it’s time for flooring, you want an option that’s built to last. After all, quality flooring can last for years without the need for repair or replacement. This will save you time and money in the long run.
Investing in durable floors will increase your home’s value and comfort. Which material lasts the longest? Some people might say it depends who you ask, but today we’re going to find out by discussing different flooring types and their applications.
Types of Flooring That Last the Longest in High-Traffic Homes
If you have little feet (or paws) running around your home, you’ll want floors that can take a beating while looking their best. When you’re weighing your options, consider some of the following:
- Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): These floors consist of a thick wear layer, an image layer that resembles natural materials, and a dense water-resistant core. If you want a floor that’s fashionable yet functional, this is the way to go. Additionally, they can resist scratches, and other forms of wear.
- Tile: Made from heated up clay, and coming in various colors, and patterns, this type of flooring is solid as a rock, and can withstand water damage. This makes it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms in busy homes. You can also choose affordable ceramic or high-end porcelain options,
- Engineered Hardwood: Known as the man-made hardwood, these planks consist of multiple criss-crossed layers, and have a real wood veneer top. It can fight back against wear and is better at resisting temperatures than its solid counterparts, which is ideal for those humid Memphis summers.
Living in a space where something’s always going on can be hard. However, with the right floors, you don’t have to deal with the constant burdens of repairs and replacements. With that said, water can also ruin floors. We’ll get into the best options for moisture-prone areas next.
Flooring Materials That Thrive in Moisture-Prone Areas
Spills—they’re bound to happen! This is especially true in rooms with sinks and other fixtures. When you get water on your floor, you don’t want to have to worry about damaging them. Check out these options for moisture-prone areas:
- Tile: As mentioned earlier, tile floors are ideal for rooms that are prone to moisture. That’s because of their water-resistant properties. Additionally, they can easily be wiped down and stains won’t hurt them.
- SPC/WPC Vinyl: Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) or Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) differ from their luxury vinyl counterparts in their cores. Because of being reinforced by these materials, they can better withstand water damage.
Both of these flooring materials are more than ideal for moisture-prone areas. However, you should keep solid hardwood out of these areas to prevent warping. Most people don’t want to deal with constant upkeep of their flooring, which is why we’ll dive into low-maintenance options next.
Easiest Floors to Maintain
Constantly cleaning your floors or worrying about scratches and scuffs all the time isn’t fun for anyone. Luckily, there are flooring materials that resist various types of damage. That’s why you should look into low-maintenance flooring options like the following:
- Luxury Vinyl: These floors are designed with durability in mind. All you have to do to keep them in top shape is damp mop and occasionally vacuum to keep them looking their best.
- Carpet: While it might seem counterintuitive since carpet is prone to staining, it’s actually fairly easy to maintain. Just vacuum and opt for professional steam cleaning at least once per year as needed. Carpet tiles can also be replaced individually.
- Laminate: Because of its ability to resist scratches and wear, laminate is making a name for itself in the flooring world. Just damp (not wet mop) it regularly and get rid of dust using a vacuum cleaner without a hard brush head.
There’s nothing better than a low-maintenance flooring option. They allow you to spend less time taking care of your floors and more time living your life. With that said, they don’t always last the longest. Next, we discuss the lifespan of each flooring type.
Comparing the Lifespans of Flooring Materials
Every flooring material lasts for a different amount of time. Obviously how well you maintain your floors plays a factor. Despite this, all types of flooring have their own average lifespans. We get into each below:
- Tile: These floors can look great for years to come because of their water and wear resistance. However, grout can stain. With that said, a quality tile can last anywhere from 20-50+ years.
- LVP/SPC/WPC: Luxury vinyl has become a staple of many households over the years because of its versatility. It also resists damage much better than its counterparts, but generally lasts 15-25 years.
- Engineered Hardwood: The man-made hardwood certainly has its merits. Even with its ability to resist humidity changes, the thickness of its real wood veneer top determines how many times it can be refinished. They usually last 20-30 years.
- Solid Hardwood: There’s nothing better than the classic beauty of classic hardwood. While it can stand up to various forms of wear, this material is vulnerable to water damage. However, with proper maintenance and refinishing, it can last 30-100 years.
- Carpet: Being on the more affordable side, carpet doesn’t tend to last as long, but its low-maintenance nature and comfort make it an attractive option. With that said, carpet generally lasts 5-15 years.
- Laminate: Growing in popularity over the years, laminate looks great and won’t be taken down by basic wear. Even with its durability, it can still swell when exposed to water. These floors last 10-20 years.
So out of all the flooring types, solid hardwood flooring lasts the longest. However, you need to maintain and refinish it to keep it in top shape, but it’s worth it! There’s nothing better than the classic appeal of a hardwood floor.
Find the Floors That Are Built to Last!
Finding durable flooring materials can be a struggle. However, the team at King Flooring makes it easy. We bring the showroom to you and let you look at flooring samples from the comfort of your own home. We’re always here with next-day installations and Lifetime Guarantee. When you choose us, you will feel Memphis-proud.
Are you ready to upgrade your flooring? Contact us today!
