Floors are undoubtably the most affected element of any space. The most durable flooring types are those that can withstand punishment from high foot traffic for many years. Although even the most expensive flooring needs constant maintenance, choosing the most appropriate flooring type for a particular space will ensure its longevity. While comfort and aesthetics will affect your flooring choice, durability is a key consideration too. To help you choose, here is a helpful guide to the most durable floor types.
Vinyl is a type of resilient flooring, named so because of it is made of materials that have a degree of flexibility and give. Sheet vinyl is probably the most common kind of resilient flooring you will find in education, healthcare and hospitality sectors, favoured due to extremely high hygiene rating and level of durability.
These kinds of floors can handle a degree of wear that other floor types couldn’t, meaning that they are favoured for use in high traffic areas or environments where the possibility of of rough treatment is more likely
Vinyl planks are manufactured in a very similar way to sheet vinyl and have many of the same characteristics, although the final product is produced differently. Vinyl flooring as a whole provides enormous scope for designers to create tough and durable, yet attractive and inspirational work or living spaces.
Engineered hardwood is popular kind of sustainable flooring. They are highly durable, in many ways more so than hardwood floors. Engineered wood floors are resistant to moisture and are more stable than their hardwood counterparts.
Engineered hardwood’s many layers are fused together in a cross-grain construction style that makes it far stronger than a single piece of solid wood. A protective top layer veneer adds even further protection, making this highly resilient flooring perfect for high traffic areas. The thicker this top layer, the more durable the final product.
Depending on the thickness, engineered hardwood will last from upwards of 20 years. The type of wood used in the top layers will also greatly impact the durability of the flooring.
Linoleum is a natural product made from solidified linseed oil (linoxyn), pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate. These materials are most commonly melded onto a burlap or canvas backing. Until the late 1950s, linoleum was considered the go-to material for high-use areas that required cheap, durable floors. It is also an aesthetically versatile material with patterns being able to be printed surface as required.
Tile is an enduring flooring material that has been used since ancient times, favoured for its hard surface and durability. Tiles can be made from an array of different materials including porcelain, ceramics, travertine, slate, marble and granite. Each have their own idiosyncrasies, but all are very durable flooring types, suitable for indoor and outdoor environments.
The durability of tiles depends greatly on their thickness. The thicker the tile, the greater the ability to resist impact. Some stone, however, is quite soft and not suitable for high-traffic areas (for example, limestone). The surface of stone tiles can also become worn and eventually fade. Tiles can also be painted and glazed, opening up their scope for aesthetic embellishment.
If you are in need of quality flooring solutions or have questions regarding the best way to care for your floors, talk to the experts at Aussie Flooring Insights. Our highly trained professionals will be more than happy to help.
Aussie Commercial Flooring Insights is one of Australia’s largest commercial flooring contractors. We are committed to providing flooring solutions that will enhance built environments for end users as well as delivering on the business needs of our clients across Australia.