You may be asking yourself, which is the best flooring? Either for home or for commercial areas. Worry not. I researched on the best flooring and came up with the following conclusions. The best durable floor will definitely depend on the areas of installation. Another factor that plays a role is the use of the space being floored.
The best durable flooring materials for commercial areas can be ranked as follow; terrazzo, tiles, epoxy system, carpet, rubber, etc. The best durable flooring materials floor your home are as follow; bamboo, natural stone, vinyl (resilient), tiles (ceramic and porcelain) laminate, solid hardwood, engineered wood, and concrete, etc.
What is the best flooring for a house?
Different spaces have different appropriate type of flooring. We look at these types and appropriate areas they can be used.
1. Hardwood
Hardwood naturally is a very durable flooring material in most areas of your home. Hardwood is considered a good choice for your bedroom, dining room, and living room. However, it’s not good for your bathrooms or kitchen or any other place with a lot of moisture or high traffic.
Any hardwood flooring whether engineered or solid hardwood are susceptible to moisture and stain problems more than other flooring products.
2. Bamboo
Bamboo has similarity with hardwood but it is harder than hardwood. When they undergo manufacturing processes it makes it resistant to moisture and water damage. It can be good for kitchen, bedroom, dining and living room. However, they are more expensive than hardwood.
3. Tiles
Tiles are made from ceramic and porcelain or natural stone. For ceramic and porcelain tile they are made from natural clay. It is glazed and fired under heat which makes them extremely durable, resistant to heat and breakages under normal conditions.
For natural stone tile flooring, they are hard as a rock. They are luxurious, durable, long-lasting. The options include marble, granite, slate, travertine sandstone and limestone. They are good for kitchen, bathroom, living room as well as being used in areas for commercial purposes.
4. Vinyl
Modern vinyl is also known as luxury vinyl flooring. They are high-quality flooring materials that mimic stone or wood. They are more so used in high-end homes. Generally, available in planks and snap together tiles. Vinyl is easy to maintain, clean by sweeping, vacuuming and ever through regular mopping.
These floorings are good in high traffic living areas with risks of scratches and stains. Vinyl is good for your laundry room, bathroom and kitchen.
5. Cork
Cork flooring provides many benefits and is able to withstand the test of time. They are made from natural and recycled materials. Cork is known to absorb temperatures, making you floor cool in the summer and provide comfort in the winter.
Cork is a good insulator and resistant to mold. It warm soft and safe for you and the family. Cork is good for your bedroom due to its softness and warmth. Avoid installing in areas with direct sunlight. It fades or turns yellow with time or if in contact with direct sunlight
6. Carpets
Carpets are not only soft they provide a quiet and prevent echoing throughout the home. The high-quality carpets are good for your home installation. They are good for your bedroom, living room and dining room. However, they may not be good for your kitchen and bathroom due to moisture content.
7. Terrazzo
Terrazzo flooring consists of composite materials; chips of marble, granite glass, quartz, and other suitable materials poured on cementitious or polymer binders or in a combination of both. Usually, metal strips are often used to divide the sections or materials in patterns.
Terrazzo professional artisans can create walls, panels or patios through exposing marble chips and other fine aggregates on the surface of finished concrete. Terrazzo is good for your commercial areas, bathroom and kitchen. It tends to be cold and had on your feet. However, if you plan to install carpets as part of your flooring it’s a good consideration for the dining room and living room too.
8. Rubber flooring
Rubber flooring comes with a variety of advantages that make it appropriate for installation in high traffic or commercial areas. Rubber flooring may come in various designs, texture, colors, and patterns. It is one of the resilient flooring and available in tiles, mats or roll forms.
It provides comfort, durability and it’s easy to clean which makes it appropriate for places like gyms, playrooms, laundry rooms, basement, and utility rooms.
9. Laminate flooring
Laminate is good for your floor since it does not easily scratch and look just like real hardwood. The durability of laminate floor range from (Abrasion Class) AC (moderate) to AC5 (heavy) specs. These laminate specifications tell you how they hold against traffic.
However, despite the abrasion resistance rating, you should avoid installing the laminate flooring on areas with high moisture content or water leakages like kitchen, etc.
10. Concrete flooring
Concrete is great flooring for trendy gastropubs and restaurants. It’s one of most durable flooring, doubtfully you would like the same concrete on your house? Concrete floors can look quite lovely. However, performance wise, it leaves a lot to be desired?
Concrete floor tends to be very cold. Unless radiant heating is installed or mats and rags introduced, your feet will always feel the pinch underfoot due to coldness and hardness. You should ensure you leave concrete out of your house as much as possible.
