The gold standard for ultimate flooring durability is deservedly thought to be ceramic tile, natural stone, and brick flooring.

A sturdy floor that you can install and leave alone is ideal if you’re getting ready to rent out a property. Additionally, you’ll want to know that your investment will last if you’re on a tight budget.

Tile/ Stone/ Brick Flooring

The best flooring materials in terms of long-term durability are without a doubt ceramic tile, natural stone, and brick. There is a reason why ancient Greek and Roman mosaic tiles have been discovered in almost pristine condition today at archaeological sites! To make sure you choose a tile that will be incredibly durable, there are still a few factors to take into account.

• Porosity – A tile’s porosity will determine whether or not it will absorb water or stains. For instance, unsealed terracotta tiles are incredibly porous and will stain easily if spills of oily liquids land on them. Porousness is a factor when choosing tiles, and ceramic tiles are more porous than porcelain tiles, so be sure to research the type of tile you want and whether the additional sealant is necessary for maximum stain resistance. Further reading: What Type Of Flooring Can You Put Over Ceramic Tile
• Cracking – Probably due to improper installation, a tiled floor will crack. Sadly, properties that are poorly built and those that are situated in areas with year-round temperature and humidity variations that are very extreme can have problems with expansion and retraction. Therefore, ensuring that your subfloor is properly primed and that your flexible adhesive is of high quality will help to prevent this from harming your tiled flooring.
• Natural stone concerns – Natural stone flooring needs to be properly sealed, just like ceramic and porcelain tiles. However, today you can find composite stone flooring made from natural stone dust and polymer resins that can withstand just about anything. Natural stone flooring won’t crack if it is installed properly once more.

Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is unquestionably a long-lasting option for flooring, and a high-quality, well-maintained hardwood floor will outlive all of us! However, there are many factors to take into account if we want the strongest hardwood floor currently available.

Read More: Hardwood Vs. Engineered Wood Flooring – Which is Better?

Three things to think about are listed below.

• Wood hardness – The hardness of all hardwood is measured using the Janka scale. Solid wood floors with a higher Janka rating, like Brazilian redwood, will be more durable than softwoods, like pine, which are more prone to dents and dings.
• Stability – Because solid hardwood is less stable than engineered hardwood in humid environments like bathrooms, you should pick the appropriate hardwood for your project.
• Resistant finishes – Hardwood flooring now comes in a variety of finishes, and many pre-finished hardwoods come with UV protection, microbial protection, and aluminum oxide compounds or similar for better scratch resistance. Keep in mind that hardwood floors with a wax finish are less scratch-resistant than other types. Additionally, hardwood flooring, regardless of type, is more prone to fading or yellowing in sunlight.
• Re-finishing – Solid hardwood floors can last you a lifetime because they can be refinished and sanded every 3 to 7 years.
• Care and maintenance – Treating your hardwood floors gently will enhance their performance, just like with any other type of flooring. Avoid allowing water to sit in pools on hardwood floors; use area rugs in high traffic areas; and watch how much direct sunlight hits your floors to prevent fading.

Bamboo Flooring

With its attractiveness, affordability, and sustainable eco-friendly label, bamboo flooring has become a very popular option in recent years.

The market has seen the entry of lower-quality products due to increased overseas production and efforts to produce flooring that is more reasonably priced, so you must be careful to inspect the products you are purchasing.

• Scratch Resistance – Better bamboo flooring from reputable manufacturers will have 7-8 coats of a hard aluminum oxide finish, making it very durable, but less expensive flooring made from younger bamboo with only three to four coats of finish can wear out fairly quickly. Don’t skimp, decent bamboo will set you back $6-$8 per square foot, and stick with trusted manufacturers – Your best bet is to work with organizations with a proven track record, like Teragren and Cali Bamboo.
• Quality Control – The quality of the boards should be carefully examined. Poor milling or finishes are a warning sign. Wider planks necessitate higher manufacturing standards, which implies a higher-quality final product.
• Finger nail test – Scratch a sample with your fingernail or another pointed object. It’s not a good sign if you can easily scratch through to the wood’s surface.

Cork Flooring

Similar to bamboo, cork flooring is well-liked for its environmental friendliness, as well as for being warm and quiet underfoot due to its softer nature than hardwood. Cork’s soft, malleable nature is both a strength and a weakness when it comes to durability.

You get what you pay for when it comes to home flooring options, so choose a reputable, high-quality option. Both Torlys and USFloors have a solid reputation for their cork flooring.

• Dent Resistance – Cork flooring bounces back quickly from minor dings and heavy foot traffic thanks to its springy quality, but because it is softer than wood, you must treat it with respect. Dragging heavy tables, sharp objects, or wearing high heels across cork floors are all surefire ways to cause damage.
• Careful maintenance – If handled carefully and attentively, cork flooring offers excellent durability and a long lifespan. Clean frequently to get rid of dirt and debris that can eventually leave a mark on the flooring. Furniture can leave dents over time, so coasters or felt pads that are protective are also a good idea for the long-term maintenance of your floor.
• Refinishing – You will receive added security if your cork flooring is of high caliber and has a durable factory finish. However, be ready to periodically re-seal the floor with a wax finish or with coats of protective polyurethane.
• Installation concerns – Cork is a great material for kitchens and dining rooms because it has excellent moisture resistance due to the presence of a waxy substance called suberin. Bathrooms with cork flooring can and are installed by homeowners. Get advice on the suitability and proper installation of cork in your specific bathroom space from a home flooring expert.

Laminate Flooring

We’ve saved one of the best in terms of flooring durability for last. For busy households, laminate flooring is an excellent high traffic alternative to bamboo and cork flooring. (Read More: Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring – Pros & Cons to Compare)

A good quality laminate floor is as close to indestructible as you’re going to get with a high density fiberboard core and a transparent resin top wear layer. Additionally, thanks to advances in manufacturing techniques, laminates now often blend in with genuine hardwood flooring.

• Quality Counts – Durable laminate flooring is a budget-friendly option but please, please don’t go too cheap. Anything priced less than $2 per square foot may be extremely wasteful. $3 to $5 per square foot should see you right. Consider trusted brands like Pergo or Mohawk, products bearing the NALFA (North American Laminate Flooring Association) Certification Seal, or a business that will provide you with a minimum 25-year guarantee against wear and tear.
• General resistance and stability – Laminate flooring is pretty resistant to sunlight fading and moisture. When thinking about installing laminate in a bathroom or basement, you should consider consulting a qualified installer because laminate still contains wood and needs to be acclimated.

Luxury Vinyl Tile

Luxury vinyl tile and plank are relatively new entrants in the flooring market, but have quickly established themselves as very popular due to their durability and versatility. They are also frequently referred to as resilient flooring (for good reason). Including high traffic areas, basements, and bathrooms, it can be installed in any room of the house.

Luxury Vinyl is made with various layers and is available in formats that resemble stone or woodwork, and it has excellent wear and tear resistance. Here’s what to check to ensure you get a truly durable result:

• Wear layer – Your luxury vinyl tiles will remain scratch- and UV-resistant if you do this. Make sure the brand you are selecting has those built-in defenses in the wear layer and that it is deep enough. A superior LVT will have a wear layer that is 12 mils deep as opposed to a standard LVT product’s wear layer, which is about 4 mils thick.
• Core layer – This layer, which is made in various ways by different brands, determines how rigid and waterproof a luxury vinyl plank is. Reputable brands with strong core layers include TrafficMASTER, LifeProof, and COREtec.
• Acclimation – To lessen the risk of warping, some luxury vinyl brands demand that the product be acclimated to the local environment prior to installation. Your LVT flooring’s durability will depend on how well you install it.

Other Factors That Affect Flooring Durability

Your floors may occasionally only be as good as their subfloor. Check the subfloor’s condition before you decide to replace the existing floors with new ones and go about installing new flooring. For new flooring with click locking systems in particular, the subfloor must provide a flat surface and be moisture-free. This can raise the overall cost of installation whether you remove floated or glued-down subfloors.

Final Words

So there you have it—the top options for long-lasting flooring for your house. Please share with us your positive or negative experiences with any of the flooring options mentioned. Are there any brands that you particularly enjoy or would never use again? Comment below with your thoughts and let us know.

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