Your flooring – like your home – is an investment. In addition to achieving the perfect look, Spokane-area homeowners want their new floors to last. Assuming normal use and regular cleaning and maintenance, what type of flooring is most durable? We asked our experienced team to answer that question and provide you with recommendations to make your floors last.
What Is the Longest Lasting Flooring Material?
The three most durable types of flooring are natural stone, concrete, and solid hardwood. While it may be surprising that these natural materials top the list, all three bring serious longevity credentials.
- Natural stone: Granite, slate, and travertine are exceptionally scratch, dent, and water resistant; after all, they’re rock! Most natural stone flooring will last 100 years or more and will likely outlive your home.
- Concrete: Sealed concrete floors last over a century given their extreme durability and resistance to moisture.
- Solid hardwood: Real wood floors are a generational investment, usually lasting 75 to 100 years. Wood is not as dense or water-resistant as stone or concrete. Wood’s durability is ingrained in the ability to refinish planks as needed to remove scratches. Most wood floors can be refinished several times, prolonging their useful lifespan.
More Durable Flooring Options
Stone, concrete, and solid wood are the top performers, but are you still wondering, after these options, what is the most durable type of flooring? There are other long-lasting flooring materials to suit any taste.
- Ceramic and porcelain tile flooring: These options can last 50 to 75 years or more.
- Engineered hardwood: More moisture resistant than solid wood, engineered wood floors usually last 20 to 30 years. Because only the surface layer is real wood, most engineered wood products can only be refinished once, if at all, limiting their longevity.
Three Ways to Make Your Flooring Last Longer
Whether you choose real wood, luxury vinyl plank and tile, or carpeting, the biggest factor in flooring’s longevity is you. Make any new floor last longer and look brilliant with these three tips.
1. Have Your Floors Professionally Installed
Professional installation is the best way to ensure the perfect fit. Experienced flooring contractors like Floor Coverings International® of Spokane have the tools and training to install any type of flooring, select the right underlayment (if needed), and avoid issues right from the start.
Do new floors come with warranty? Yes, most do, but read the fine print. While new floors come with a warranty, installing flooring yourself may void it.
2. Clean and Maintain Your Floors
Stay on top of regular cleaning, such as sweeping or dry mopping, to remove dust and debris. Dirty floors are prone to scratching as foot traffic grinds dust and sand particles across the surface. For materials like carpet and solid hardwood, seek professional cleaning and refinishing services to keep your floors looking like new!
3. Address Spills and Stains Immediately
Wipe up spills or tackle stains as soon as possible. With most flooring products being either inherently stain resistant (think porcelain tile) or treated to defend against stains (think carpet), you can reduce the risk of water damage and discoloration by acting fast.
The most durable type of flooring is one that is properly maintained.
Find Long-Lasting Flooring Options in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and Beyond
Floor Coverings International® of Spokane is proud to help homeowners explore, select, and install the flooring of their dreams. Bring your vision to life with quality products from the industry’s top manufacturers and a convenient, no-stress shopping experience. Shop over 3,000 flooring products without ever leaving home with a free consultation; we can’t wait to serve you!
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