When we installed carpet in our home, the first thing we considered was foot traffic. Now that we’re preparing to update our entry way flooring, I’ve been doing a deep dive on different types of flooring that can withstand high traffic areas. Certain areas of homes, offices, and stores tend to see a lot more foot traffic than others, such as entrances, exits, hallways, corridors, and kitchens. It’s important to find flooring that can withstand the hustle and bustle without showing signs of wear and tear. Considering new flooring for your home or business? There are several different types of flooring that may be suitable for areas with heavy traffic, keep reading for more:
Carpet tiles
Carpet tiles are a great choice for busy homes and offices. They don’t show signs of wear and tear, they’re highly durable, and they’re affordable. It’s quick and easy to replace damaged carpet tiles, saving you from replacing the entire floor if there’s a spillage or accident. Good-quality carpet tiles can last years of heavy use without deteriorating in appearance or functionality. You can find carpet tiles in a range of colors, textures, and patterns, enabling you to find the perfect option for your home or commercial building.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF)
Luxury vinyl flooring, which may include planks or tiles, is a durable and scratch-resistant option for busy areas. It’s resistant to moisture and doesn’t show scuff marks or signs of wear. Because luxury vinyl flooring is easy to clean, you can keep it looking as good as new, even when it’s exposed to muddy boots, wet paws, or children’s paints and crayons! You can get luxury vinyl planks or tiles in various designs, including some that emulate traditional hardwood or natural stone.
Porcelain Tiles
If you’re looking for a durable flooring option, porcelain tiles should be at the top of your list. They’re scratch-resistant, rust-resistant, and moisture-resistant, making them a suitable choice for areas with high foot traffic. You won’t need to spend hours cleaning porcelain tiles. A quick mop or once over with a steam cleaner is all you will need to do to remove muddy shoes prints, scuff marks, or spillages. Porcelain tiles can be made to resemble hardwood, natural stone, or concrete, so you can customize your flooring to match the rest of your property.
Terrazzo
Terrazzo is made from granite, marble, glass, and quartz. These materials are mixed with cement to create a hardy, durable, and sturdy flooring option that can withstand heavy footfall. It requires regular sweeping and mopping but will look as good as new with proper maintenance. You won’t be able to see stains and scuff marks on Terrazzo, so it will maintain its professional appearance even with heavy daily foot traffic.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate Flooring comprises several layers of material combined to create a strong and durable surface. It is resistant to stains and scratches, making it a highly popular option for high-traffic areas of residential and commercial buildings. It’s extremely easy to keep clean, as just a quick wipe leaves it looking brand new. You can find laminate in a range of styles, including designs that emulate real wood or stone. The downside to consider with laminate flooring is its lack of resistance to moisture. It’s not suitable for areas of the home or office that are prone to moisture like kitchens or bathrooms.
Natural Stone
Natural stone includes marble, slate, and granite, all of which are able to withstand a high volume of foot traffic without showing signs of wear and tear. Although some types of natural stone require a sealant coating, most or resistant to scratches and scuff marks without the need for sealing. Natural stone has a professional and clean appearance, making it a wonderful choice for commercial buildings, such as ices or retail stores. It’s easy to clean and maintain, and won’t need replacing for decades.
Concrete
Concrete is more common in commercial buildings than in homes due to its basic but neat appearance. Concrete is one of the most durable flooring options and won’t show signs of wear and tear for decades, making it the ideal choice for hallways, entrances, exits, and retail floors. Concrete is resistant to stains and scuffs, so it will continue to hold its fresh appearance with minimum upkeep. It is available in various colors and styles, as it can be dyed. However, plain neutral colors are the most commonly used for concrete flooring, such as beige or grey.
Whether you opt for carpet tiles, luxury vinyl flooring, porcelain tiles, terrazzo, laminate, natural stone, or concrete, each option offers unique benefits to withstand the demands of busy environments.
