Wilmac Flooring

When looking for durability which are the best flooring options to consider?

With Covid-19 increasing the time we all spend indoors, and the likelihood of working from home at least partially continuing after lockdown, the floors in our homes have seen an increase of footfall like never before and it could be that you are looking for a more reliable type of flooring that will hold up against this volume of usage. Below we explore some of the most durable types of flooring for your homes, along with a number of tips on how to improve the longevity of the flooring you may already have. 

When considering the flooring in your home the look and fit in the space is often the first thing that comes to mind, however it’s also important to consider the durability of the floor you decide to choose. When investing in a new floor it’s often expected to remain in place for a long time as it can often be an expensive and a space invasive process to have fitted in. It is important then that the floor in question maximises on this and continues to look as high a quality as possible for as long as possible, meanwhile enduring the many needs of the space it occupies in your home. 

Laminate 

Laminate flooring is a surface that is growing in its durability. It comes in a variety of styles and can often mimic the appearance of a hardwood floor for a fraction of the cost. It can be a great material to choose for your home especially if you have any indoor pets with long nails that have a habit of scratching, this is because laminate has a top layer that is pretty resistant to marks and indentation. 

Whilst it is possible to find water resistant laminate flooring, a portion of the materials don’t react well to contact with water, and whilst moppable, spillages left unattended can result in warping of the flooring. It is important to consider this when looking into using this in rooms such as the kitchen where spillages are more frequent. 

Vinyl

If you worry that water could affect the longevity of your flooring, vinyl may be a better option. Vinyl tile for example is 100% waterproof, and makes a great flooring for areas of the house such as the bathroom or the kitchen. Due to this, it will be able to endure spillages significantly longer than the aforementioned laminate. 

Vinyl also works well in high traffic areas and has a considerable longevity, the only issue you may run into with the surface is that tiles can peel up in areas where they are self-stuck or have not been applied correctly. 

Hardwood

One of the more durable types of floors, and perhaps one of the most popular is hardwood, not only does this surface look beautiful and very high end, it is often appropriate for a range of areas of the home. The durability varies depending on the wood chosen. What enables hardwood to be so long standing is that it can be repeatedly sanded down if anything scratches the surface, distorting the look of the wood. Sanding it down will erase evidence of any damage. Similarly wood can be repeatedly refinished, this can help the wood continue to look fresh, along with adding a shine that protects the wood from the UV rays that cause the colour of the wood to fade. 

Stone

Stone can be incredibly tough wearing, depending on the variety you choose. To choose a stone flooring with the best durability look for non-porous variants such as granite, as these kinds are the least susceptible to water damage. Stone can also be great in high traffic environments and often can be very long lasting in a space, going years without replacement. It is important to investigate the temperature range in the areas of your home you plan to use stone however, as it can be susceptible to fluctuations and changes in heat. 

What can you do to improve/ maintain the durability of your flooring?

If you are not in the market for a new floor currently there are also a number of ways to maintain the longevity of the surfaces you may already have in your home. One of the most essential methods of improving the durability of the flooring you already have is ensuring you are cleaning them correctly. 

Looking after your flooring in the method most appropriate to their care prevents accelerated wearing of the surface. Vinyl flooring for example whilst often mistakenly mopped, should only be cleaned with a vacuum and a damn cloth. It is crucial to use only neutral detergents when removing dirt in this manner as high strength formulas can be stripping to the surface. 

For laminate any spillages should be removed and wiped up quickly to prevent staining. Floors of this kind as referenced above are susceptible to water damage, so to ensure laminate remains in a quality state it is important to keep it dry. Cleaning would be the only exception for using water, however never saturate the mop whilst using it on this particular surface, only a light dampness is required. This will allow the floor to air dry quickly and prevent water from sitting too long and being absorbed by the surface. For more advice on how to clean laminate flooring check out our previous blog here.

Hardwood floors similarly don’t do well with a lot of water, sweeping them regularly with a broom or even better, a microfiber dust mop should be enough to keep them tidy for a majority of the time. Mopping about once a week should be sufficient, and as with laminate flooring using the mop damp rather than saturated works best. With hardwood it is also important to consider the sun exposure the flooring gets. To maintain the quality of your hardwood floor it is best to minimize its interaction with UV rays when possible as the light can cause discolouration. Solar shades for example can be a great investment if your wooden floor sees a lot of sunlight. Resealing the wood every few years will help the floor last for many years to come. 

A great tip to help maintain floors of all kinds is utilizing protective pads. Repeated movements along the same surface area can damage the flooring, leaving scratches and indentations.These sit under each piece of furniture that comes in contact with your floor, this will prevent any scratches along the chosen surface, with items like chairs sliding around, the pads softening the impact of any movement. 

If you are looking for a more durable flooring for a space in your home get in touch with an experienced member of our team today at 01244 682100 or contact us here.