Looking for durable flooring?
We all know what the word “durable” means, but when it comes to flooring, durability can be understood in two ways: how well certain flooring materials stand up to everyday traffic and the overall longevity of flooring materials. Some types of flooring are easy to keep fresh and inviting for a long time but when signs of wear take over, replacement is the only option. Other types of flooring can last a lifetime or longer with proper repair or restoration, but some of them may be harder to maintain from day to day.
In light of both perspectives of durability, this article explores the performance expectations of popular hard flooring materials, including hardwood, luxury vinyl, vinyl, engineered wood, laminate, porcelain tile, natural stone, and prefinished solid wood.
Obviously, the best-case scenario would be that whatever flooring material you choose will continue to perform well on a day-to-day basis for a lifetime with minimal care and maintenance. Porcelain tile fits this description. We’re not just saying that because we install tile. Our goal is to provide sound information about the best options available for your particular needs.
Durability in Terms of Resilience to Everyday Traffic and Use
Routine care and maintenance tasks, which are usually performed by the homeowner or a cleaning service, are necessary for preserving the cleanliness and appearance of floors no matter what type of flooring material you choose.
In a Consumer Reports analysis based on the testing of more than 50 flooring materials, most of the prefinished solid-wood and engineered-wood products “received only a satisfactory or less-than-satisfactory rating,” because they did not “stand up well in high-traffic areas.” Testing involved using an abrasion machine, which is designed to simulate “the abuse of high-traffic areas” in a home. Gloss changes and visible scratching were more evident for these flooring materials compared to others.
Floors that performed best during testing were laminate, porcelain tile, and high-quality types of vinyl, which had “superlative ratings not just for resisting foot traffic, but also stains and sunlight.” The report also calls porcelain tile “the holy grail of flooring” because of its resistance to wear, scratching, stains, and fading, among other qualities.
Long-Term Durability
The flooring materials that offer the most long-term durability are porcelain tile, solid hardwood, and natural stone. Of the three, porcelain tile floors are the least likely to require restoration, especially higher-grade porcelains. Properly installed porcelain tile is so strong and durable that it is often a go-to flooring material for airports, shopping malls, and other high-traffic areas.
If repair and restoration of porcelain, solid hardwood, or natural stone floors are possible, an experienced professional restoration contractor can transform your damaged floor to like-new condition. Restoration often involves specialized methods that go beyond what the average homeowner or cleaning service can address.
Here are some details:
- Solid hardwood floors can refinished multiple times. Prefinished solid hardwood floors will require extra sanding.
- Certain types of engineered wood floors can be refinished once or twice, depending on the thickness of the surface wear layer. Engineered wood floors with a thin surface wear layer cannot be refinished.
- Natural stone floors can be refinished many times, as long as they are properly restored. Some companies recommend annual refinishing for highly trafficked floors.
- Laminate floors can technically be refinished, but the refinishing process is more complicated. The protective layer of resin can be sanded and then painted or sealed. If the floors are sanded too aggressively, the printed image under the protective layer may be removed, causing unsightly damage.
- Porcelain tile floors can be refinished with a coating, but this is not recommended for high-traffic areas.
As mentioned previously, properly installed and maintained flooring can last a lifetime or longer with repair or restoration, but may be harder to keep clean and inviting from day to day. In other words, durability doesn’t necessarily mean minimal upkeep.
Homeowner favorites that will, unfortunately, show signs of wear in high-traffic areas are natural stone and real hardwood floors that are not prefinished. Scratches, dullness, etching, warping, and other issues can diminish the appearance of these surfaces within months of installation or in between scheduled professional restoration/refinishing. Proper cleaning and care can help alleviate some issues.
Cleaning and Care
Basic guidelines for cleaning and care include regularly sweeping, using a clean damp mop as needed, and wiping up spills right away. Any flooring material with a finish or coating can be damaged by dirt, grime, and contaminants that, if not removed in a timely manner, are driven into the surface by foot traffic.
If you use a vacuum on hardwood, engineered wood, natural stone, unglazed ceramic tile, prefinished solid wood, or any floor with a coating, use a soft brush attachment. Otherwise, you may end up inadvertently scratching the floor.
Avoid soap-based cleaners on all types of flooring, because they can form a sticky film over time. Choose pH-neutral cleaning products or cleaners specifically designed for your flooring material. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning products, especially on any flooring material with a finish or coating.
Porcelain tile does tend to perform well with aggressive cleaning methods, but you may want to test clean in an inconspicuous area first, just in case.
Special Considerations
Here are a few unique concerns you should know before choosing your flooring material.
Natural Stone
Natural stone is sensitive to acidic cleaners. Etch damage can result, and etch removal usually requires honing and polishing by a professional restoration contractor. Porous, unsealed, and under-sealed natural stone is especially prone to staining by colored substances. In many cases, poultices can be used to remove stains from stone.
Cost and Durability
Paying more for flooring materials initially may result in paying less over the course of time. Why? Because restoration is almost always less expensive than replacement.
Sustainability
Choosing flooring materials that provide long-term durability means there will be less waste over time. Why? Because replacement is not necessary. Instead of tearing out old flooring material, which will end up in a landfill, you can have your floors professionally restored or refinished to like-new condition.
Learn More
Here are a few articles you may wish to read regarding material selection and care.
Ceramic Tile vs Porcelain Tile – People commonly confuse ceramic and porcelain tiles. It’s totally understandable. They have a lot in common. If you’re selecting material for your new tile project and trying to decide between ceramic and porcelain, this article explains some key differences you should know about.
The Best Flooring for Kids: Balancing Practicality and Style – Looking for kid-friendly flooring options? With kids at home, durability and avoiding signs of wear rank high on the flooring selection checklist. Tile flooring can check off most, if not all, of the boxes for families with kids. In this article, you’ll learn why, and you’ll also see how tile compares to other types of flooring.
Natural Stone Tile vs Ceramic Tile – What are the differences between natural stone tile and ceramic tile? Although it may be tempting to choose your tile based on eye-candy urges, there are other important factors to consider. For example, your budget may influence your choice of tile. What kind of lifespan are you expecting to get out of your installation? Ease of maintenance and cleanliness matter, too. Learn more…
Tile Selection: Why Location Matters – Tile manufacturers have done a great job of making sure there’s a tile for everyone, from cost-effective materials for budget-conscious homeowners to indulgent selections for luxury-oriented buyers. What types of tile should you consider for your intended use? In this article, you’ll learn about the major types of tile and the most appropriate locations in your home for each.
Tile Repair vs Replacement – Properly installed tile floors and surfaces are known for their enduring elegance. But here’s the twist – sometimes people who ought to replace their tile don’t, and sometimes people have their tile replaced unnecessarily. If you’re trying to decide whether to repair and restore your tile or to have it all taken out and start fresh, this article explores key considerations.
LVT vs Real Tile Floors – If you’re in the market for new floors, you might be surprised by the many tile flooring options available these days. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is manufactured to have a visual appeal similar to tile. Whether homeowners choose tile or LVT, chances are they will not have any trouble finding flooring material to suit virtually any type of interior design style. Both tile and LVT have advantages and drawbacks, which we examine in this article.
What is the best type of flooring for pets? – For pet owners, selecting the best type of flooring can be tricky. Homeowners usually think about things like appearance, cleaning and care requirements, and cost. For those with furry and feathered friends, the comfort, health, and safety of pets are additional considerations. Read on to learn why tile flooring is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally practical for pets. We’ll also take a look at how tile and stone measure up to other types of flooring.
Real Wood vs Wood-Look Tile Floors – Plank-sized wood-look tiles are inspired by the warmth, elegance, and unique character of hardwood flooring. In terms of durability, they are a popular, game-changing flooring material. Solid and engineered hardwood floors continue to be highly desired flooring options, as well. Are you on the fence about selecting real wood or wood-look tile floors? If so, you may find the information in this article helpful.
Terrazzo Tile vs Terrazzo-Look Porcelain Tile – Have you been eyeing those little sparkling aggregates in terrazzo floors? With a strong reputation for durability and aesthetics, traditional poured terrazzo has a downside. This material requires a labor-intensive and time-consuming installation process. This article details two alternative options to traditional poured terrazzo: precast, authentic terrazzo tile and porcelain tile that is made to look like terrazzo.
Selecting the right flooring material isn’t all about durability, especially for people who prefer to replace flooring rather than having it repaired or restored. If ease of maintenance and long-term value rank high on your list of priorities, flooring experts recommend porcelain tile floors. If you’re ready to invest in porcelain tile, be sure to protect your investment from failure by hiring a qualified and experienced contractor. Copher Tile and Stone, San Luis Obispo’s preferred tile installers, delivers top-notch craftsmanship and unmatched customer satisfaction.
by Alice Dean
Copher Tile & Stone proudly stays up to date on tile installation with ongoing education with Mapei Technical Institute, Ardex Academy, the National Tile Contractors Association, Laticrete, and Schluter. Copher is a Certified Tile Installer (#1644).
