Concrete is the most durable indoor flooring. While concrete might not work for all areas of your home, it can be a worthy addition to certain spaces that will benefit from a moisture- and scratch-resistant flooring. Concrete floors are typically stained to order and can look quite lovely.
Tile made from ceramic or porcelain is the most scratch-resistant flooring. Ceramic tile is made of fired clay, and it's a hard and durable substance. Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic, but they make it from a more cultivated clay and bake it at higher temperatures.
Solid hardwood flooring
The most extended lifespan you can get from wood floors is solid wood materials. These all-natural materials are solid wood, through and through. These floors can last over 100 years with professional installation and regular care.
The most durable type of flooring is solid timber flooring. It will last many years, even in high foot traffic areas, and will add to the value of your home.
Porcelain tile, however, is waterproof and proves to be one of the most durable waterproof floors available on the market today. Tile does not tend to scratch or scuff easily, and it's one type of flooring that has continuously proven it's a great option if you're looking for durable waterproof floors.
Engineered wood flooring is a better choice in high-moisture environments than solid hardwood, making it a better option for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. But, for whole-house installations, both flooring options offer a wide range of style choices.
A good quality laminate floor is well equipped to handle levels of high UV, which means that it should not fade easily in the sun. Laminate flooring has aluminum oxide coating as a top layer, which will prevent fading and determines how the floor will wear over time.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
Polyurethane is the most popular finish for floors. It's tough enough to handle constant traffic and is resistant to almost everything. There are two types of polyurethane finish: oil-based (solvent borne) and water-based (waterborne).
Vinyl flooring is more scratch resistant than laminate flooring, but LVT and LVP may be more prone to top-layer tearing.
Vinyl flooring is probably the easiest to clean out of all the options listed here and also one of the easiest to maintain. Also known as Cushion Floor, vinyl flooring is available at a good price and can take plenty of wear over the years, which is why many will come with a 15 year warrantee.
Vinyl flooring will work just about anywhere in your new home. It's 100 percent waterproof, so it can withstand the moisture levels in bathrooms, kitchens, damp basements, and mudrooms.
Marble is perhaps the most timeless wall and floor tile. Classic and elegant, this natural stone tile will elevate any space within your home. However, marble comes with a hefty price tag and requires special care throughout its lifespan. That's where marble-look tile comes in!
Neutral shades such as light brown, gray, and black are timeless classics that will look good for years to come. These hues make a great backdrop for any room in your home, so you can easily accessorize the space without worrying about the color clashing with your floors.
If you're looking for a truly tough and hardwearing flooring, luxury vinyl flooring is the one for you! LVT is known as the toughest floor in the business, but just because it's tough doesn't mean it can't also be stylish!
Hardwood floors typically last much longer than laminate, though they do need occasional refinishing. It's also usually easier to repair a hardwood floor, often with some sanding and staining, whereas damaged laminate might need to be replaced altogether.
LVT and hardwood flooring both come in a wide variety of designs and style options, but hardwood planks are typically longer than LVT planks. Hardwood costs a bit more than LVT, but maintenance costs are similar. LVT and hardwood flooring are equally durable, stable and suitable for many commercial environments.
The one area where vinyl floors outshine hardwood floors in terms of durability is moisture resistance. Vinyl floors are virtually impervious to moisture damage, whereas hardwood floors will have to be completely replaced if they sustain major water damage.
Sheet vinyl: Sheet vinyl is a 100 percent waterproof solid surface. Usually, it has very few, if any, seams that allow water to penetrate to the substrate. Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) planks: Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) comes n long plank strips, typically 7 inches wide and 48 inches long.
Generally speaking, the hardest wood for flooring is Ipe (or Lapacho). However, this is very hard to find, due to its rarity. This also makes it a very expensive flooring product. Therefore, more widely available, and hardwearing are Hickory and Maple flooring.