The popularity of these types of floors hinges on their durability, although a long lifespan almost always comes at a higher price. So, if you're considering replacing floors in your home, the initial research may seem like you're engaged in a juggling act between affordability and longevity.
Keep reading to find out how to get the balance right before you install floors.
How Long Do Floors Last?
Many factors affect the lifespan of floors. These include climatic conditions, as well as wear and tear from foot traffic, children, and pets.Regular maintenance will ensure your floors last as long as possible, but choosing the best option at the outset can reduce the time you spend on these chores.
These are the most popular choices for flooring:
Wood Flooring Materials
Wood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, and you can get them in a wide variety of colors, across a broad range. The longest-lived wood floors cost more, but they do add value and appeal to your home.Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring is on almost everybody's wish list, but they're the most expensive type of floor overall. Not only are these thick flooring planks expensive to start with, but you'll also need a specialized installer to do the work for you.These floors can warp if they're exposed to water for too long, and they're prone to scratches from furniture and pets' claws, too. The good news is that you can restore your hardwood floors by refinishing them every seven to ten years, and they can last 100 years or more.
Engineered Wood Floors
Engineered wood floors comprise a thin layer of hardwood on top of a durable plywood base. A protective upper layer protects the wood from water and scratches, making these floors easy to maintain.These floors are a good alternative to hardwood floors, available at a much cheaper price, and can last for up to 30 years.
Bamboo Floors
Bamboo is an excellent choice if you're interested in renewable, sustainable flooring for your home, as it's ready for harvest within three to five years, which is much faster than traditional hardwoods.Bamboo isn't as hard-wearing as the above two types of wood flooring, but it can last for 15 to 20 years.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is an even cheaper option if you want wood-look floors. These types of floors have a sturdy plywood core topped with a printed representation of wood, stone, or tile and a protective top layer.They're easy to install yourself, and the best quality brands can last up to 30 years.
Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl planks and tiles are among the most popular modern flooring solutions. They comprise the same components as laminate flooring, except they have a strong vinyl layer for extra durability.These floors are almost impervious to moisture and suited to every room in your home. Vinyl floors last anywhere from ten to twenty years, depending on the quality of the flooring.
Floor Tiles
Floor tiles are easy to maintain and available in a huge range of materials and designs to suit any interior look. The biggest problem with these tiles is that they're tricky to install, resulting in high labor costs.These are the most common types of tile floors:
Travertine Stone
Like hardwood floors, good-quality travertine stone tiles can last for up to 100 years when installed and maintained correctly.These stone tiles come in a variety of shades and are exceptionally durable. On the downside, the stone is porous and thus vulnerable to staining.
Glass Tile
Slip-resistant glass tile is an attractive addition to bathrooms and wet rooms.It's water-resistant, easy to maintain, and remains usable for decades, although it accumulates scratches easily and can crack if you drop something heavy on it.
Due to this, you'll likely need to replace your glass tiles within ten years of installing them.
Sandstone Tile
Sandstone floors are most often used outdoors, and they're an eco-friendly, biodegradable choice. If you notice a crack in one of your tiles, you can easily replace it.It's best to seal your sandstone floors before installation, as this helps prevent staining. Like most stone floors, sandstone floors are for life.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles offer good value as they're relatively affordable and can last for decades. They're easy to clean and don't stain, but they chip easily on impact and are extremely cold and hard underfoot.If you live in a frost zone, you should avoid ceramic tile as it becomes icy-cold and can impact your home's comfort.
Porcelain Tile
Slip-resistant ceramic tiles don't get as cold as porcelain tiles or crack as easily. Good quality porcelain tiles can last up to 50 years with very little maintenance.Concrete
Although concrete is most popular in commercial settings, it suits an industrial-style home very well. You can get these floors in a surprising array of finishes, including some that closely resemble marble.Modern concrete floors come with attractive high-gloss finishes and are impervious to moisture and stains. High traffic areas can show signs of wear within a few years, but it's easy to rectify this issue by refinishing the floor.
Concrete floors can endure for 100 years or more with regular maintenance.
Carpet
Carpet is the softest and warmest underfoot of all flooring types, making it a top choice for bedrooms. It's not ideal for pets as it accumulates stains and pet dander rather easily.Vacuuming and deep cleaning your carpet help prolong its life, and the best grades of carpet can last for as long as fifteen years.
Find Your Perfect Floor
When you install residential floors, you need to live with them for years to come. That means the style of floors you choose is just as important as its lifespan and maintenance requirements.With so many options available, there is a perfect match available for you. Get in touch for assistance with choosing and installing the ideal flooring materials for your home.
