If you are looking to renovate your home or build a new one, the choice of flooring is extremely important. You want your floors to last in the years to come, which means that you need to select one of the most durable home flooring options. Traditionally, you have a choice among laminate, hardwood, and waterproof hardwood, as well as Vinyl flooring. There are some other notable mentions, such as Bamboo, Ceramic, Engineered Wood, and Natural stone, but for the most part, you can’t go wrong with “the big 4”. You may also want to consider one of the bathroom remodeling Los Angeles options, as contractors have access to unique material. In this article, we will be covering why exactly you might want to install one of these four types, and which rooms they are suitable for.
Most durable home flooring options – Big Four
The best choices for flooring are as follows, in no particular order:
- Laminate
- Vinyl Flooring
- Hardwood
- Waterproof Hardwood
It might be tricky to install flooring on your own, however. Aside from laminate (and perhaps Vinyl), you may need to hire a general contractor Orange County for this purpose. Working with one will also enable you to have a selection of compounded materials, which may be even better for your situation. But for now, let’s take a look at what the different types of flooring offer, starting with:
Laminate
If you want to put down flooring that is designed to last, while requiring very little maintenance, laminate is your primary option. It is both spill and scratch-resistant, with some acoustical properties as well. Your steps will be softened and will produce much less noise. It is, therefore, the flooring of choice in multi-apartment buildings.
The durability of this flooring type comes from its makeup. The transparent top layer is capable of withstanding scratches from heavy furniture and even some rowdy dogs and cats. If durability is your primary concern, you should look into a laminate with a higher AC (abrasion class, not to be mistaken with armor class). Higher AC provides your flooring with a greater degree of resistance to impact, stains, abrasion, etc. It ranges from AC1 (moderate) to AC5 (heavy-duty). Laminate is also resistant to water, but not entirely waterproof. Therefore, you don’t want to use it in areas where there is a lot of moisture (bathroom, kitchen) as puddles can compromise its durability.
If you’re ever in doubt, you can always contact Top Rated General Contractors and we will help you decide. We have extensive experience when it comes to flooring types, and will always be able to advise you on which one is best for your situation. Feel free to get in touch with us at your leisure!
Vinyl Flooring
This type is ideal for any rooms that see high traffic, such as the kitchen. Its soft footing can enable you to work longer without fatigue, something that every self-respecting chef can appreciate. It is extremely water and spill-resistant and supremely easy to maintain. Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of patterns and colors and it can be made to resemble anything from concrete to wood. What you need to keep in mind is that it comes in rolls of 12 feet. This means that if your room is no wider than twelve feet, you will have no issues. But in case that it is, you may want to reconsider a different flooring type, as exposed seams can invite moisture and even damage the subfloor. All in all, it is best utilized in smaller areas, which you can fully cover with regular Vinyl rolls.
Of course, installing Vinyl flooring in larger rooms is definitely not impossible. However, you might want to search for a good home remodeling contractor Los Angeles if you plan on doing that. Professionals will be able to ensure that your flooring is set the right way from the get-go.
Hardwood
However, wood flooring is still considered to be the best flooring type by many. It has a gorgeous appearance and ranks highly on the durability scale. Even scratches can add to the look, and some people even prefer them. The best part of this flooring type, which makes it one of the most durable home flooring options is that it can be restored to its original condition by sanding and refinishing it.
Now, you have several hardwood species to choose from, as well as coating options. They play a major role in durability so you will need to weigh your options carefully. Some manufacturers offer eight coats of finish, which serves as great protection from dents and scratches. Then there is the “Splatter and Spill Guard” coating, which protects the planks from six sides.
There are numerous options out there, the best thing to do is to shop around. Manufacturers come up with new ideas every year and there are bargains that you can take advantage of. Of course, you can always seek assistance from a deck contractor Los Angeles and ask for their advice. In fact, this might be the best thing to do, before you decide on your flooring type. Professionals will be able to provide you with all the answers you seek. It is never wrong to acquire more knowledge, after all.
One of the most Most durable home flooring options -Waterproof Hardwood
Lastly, we come to one of the flooring types with really cool technology names. Enter Waterproof Hardwood, constructed by dense 5mm NINJA core H20, stronger than WPC (wood plastic composite) and engineered woods! It features extreme protection and durability, thriving in even the most humid and moist environments. It markets itself as the best flooring type but it is rather new to the market. This raintree flooring offers heat resistance, due to its NINJA (best word ever) Core technology, as well as acoustical backing (1mm Irradiated Cross-linked Polyethylene foam padding).
And the best part? This flooring type is actually really affordable! It can’t match laminate, of course, but all the benefits that it offers far outweigh the price of admission. Waterproof Hardwood is definitely one of the most durable home flooring options, and it will only get better in the years to come, as technology advances.