Choosing the Best Flooring for High Traffic Areas

When it comes to busy households, there is always an area that is going to take the brunt of foot (and paw) traffic. It may be an entryway, or a hallway, or a path through the living room, but beyond doubt, every home has a space that would be considered “high traffic.” Along with the heavy traffic comes increased dirt and cleaning needs, but also potential wear and tear. It’s important to properly choose flooring that will stand up to what life throws at it. Keep reading for some suggested flooring options for high traffic areas.

Budget Friendly Laminate

Today’s laminate floors have come a long way. They are available in many different styles and finishes to suit any decor that you have in mind. Although they are partially made from real wood, they are well suited to high traffic areas and can even withstand some moisture without swelling and warping. Laminates have a pictorial layer of whatever material they are representing, such as wood, tile or stone, covered with a very durable wear layer. The wear layer is what makes laminates able to withstand the abuse of high traffic areas, as it resists foot traffic, scratches and dents.

Laminates are affordable and most are easy to DIY with basic tools, which can save you money if you are budgeting for new floors and are relatively handy.

Tile for High Traffic Areas

Porcelain tile is a classic choice for high traffic areas, as it naturally resists not only the wear and tear caused by foot traffic, but also extensive moisture and fading from sunlight. Today’s tile options range from colorful to stately to rustic, with options that mimic stone and wood, in a variety of finishes. Be careful to choose options that won’t become slippery when wet and make sure any grout lines are properly cared for and sealed. It will make your tile floors look new for longer and prevent extensive scrubbing.

Tile floors can be self-installed however, it’s important to ensure that your floors are absolutely flat and level. Any variation in your subfloors can lead to tiles cracking so it’s best to have professional help.

Vinyl Flooring Options

Vinyl flooring is a very versatile option for high traffic areas, as it is available in a variety of styles, such as wood, stone and tile, in either plank or tile format. Made entirely from inorganic materials, vinyl naturally resists anything that life throws at it. It is waterproof, resists scratches, dents and fading from sunlight. It also does not become slippery when wet, so is a sensible option for an entryway or other area that could potentially get wet from weather.

Although you may not fool anyone into believing your vinyl floors are actually authentic materials, they do make sense to consider in high traffic areas. Most are easier to DIY than laminates due to having a flexible core; they can be scored and snapped rather than cut with a saw. They are more forgiving than tile when floors are not perfectly flat or level so professional help is not always a necessity.

When you are ready to shop for flooring for your high traffic areas, visit the helpful staff at DeGraaf Interiors. They can show you many different designs and go over all the options to make sure that your floors look great and are going to stand up to what your life throws at them. They can help you with professional installation as well, or give you DIY tips to save on your budget. You can have new flooring in your high traffic area sooner than you think!