What is the Best Flooring for High Traffic Areas?

High-traffic areas of your home or business can succumb to wear and tear over time, resulting in an unsightly living space.

Which is the best type of flooring for these high traffic areas?

With consideration, you can know what to expect from your floor as well as which floors can cope with the challenges of high-traffic areas.

Areas with regular foot traffic need floors which are durable, with minimal scratch while under constant use. For kitchens and other areas exposed to water, they should be waterproof or at the very least highly water-resistant.

Other points to consider is budget and comfort. A hard floor is not practical where there is a lot of time standing on your feet. A cold floor can also be uncomfortable for a heavy use area.

Some features to consider when selecting flooring for high-traffic areas:

• Durability – High-traffic areas often mean lots of foot, paw, and other traffic that can scratch and mark floors. The best high-traffic floors are scratch-resistant, so they won’t start look worn and old too quickly.
• Easy to Maintain – High-traffic areas need to be cleaned more regularly to keep them looking good and ensure they last as long as possible. Thus, floors that are easy and quick to clean are a priority.
• Water Resistance – If you are looking for floors for kitchens or other spaces that are likely to be exposed to water, you will need at the very least, water-resistant floors that will not stain or become warped when assaulted by spills or drips.
• Comfort – Durable floors also tend to be hard. But these should be avoided for spaces where anyone will spend a lot of time on their feet. Extra hard floors are not good for the joints.
• Warmth – Hard floors often do not conduct heat well and can be bitterly cold when the temperature drops. For this reason, some floors can be icy underfoot and make it more difficult and expensive to heat the space.
• Aesthetics – Not everything in life is about practicality. You will want floors that look good and meet your personal aesthetic standard.
• Cost – Naturally, you will need something that fits into your budget and also your future vision for the space, especially when it comes to resale.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate Flooring is attractive and affordable if you are on a tight budget. Ideal for work or play spaces as its softness makes it comfortable and easy on the joints. Not recommended for kitchens or other areas where it is likely to be exposed to water.

Liquids need to be cleaned up quickly, as Laminate Flooring is water resistant, not waterproof. Extended periods of exposure to water will damage the flooring, which is another reason not to use it in a space that is likely to be exposed to water.

Laminate flooring is exceptionally durable, as long as the assault is not of the liquid variety. While water will cause laminate to buckle and warp, it does not scratch easily. It should be able to stand up against pet’s paws, children’s toys, and considerable foot traffic.

Laminate receives an AC rating to indicate its durability. For high traffic areas, we would recommend AC4.

Laminate has an edge over tile flooring is when it comes to comfortand ease of install. Laminate has a level of bounciness which feels comfortable under your feet and will not leave you with aching joints after a long day. It also holds onto heat.

The Do-It-Yourself handyman can install easily and over the top of most existing floors. Viaduct Imports Laminate Flooring is a click and lock plank system which requires few specialist skills or tools. This is another reason why Laminate is incredibly affordable.

SPC Hybrid Vinyl Plank Flooring

SPC Hybrid Vinyl Plank Flooring is also an option worth considering. This is also durable, affordable, easy to install, and easy to clean, with the added bonus of being 100% waterproof. It is soft and comfortable underfoot.

SPC Hybrid Vinyl Plank Flooring is also simple to install, so there is no need to pay for professional support except for the most complicated floor plans.

Being waterproof, SPC Hybrid Vinyl Plank Flooring can be laid in kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.

The fact that it is soft underfoot is another reason why it is great for kitchens. It will not result in the same kind of sore joints as tile and concrete.

It is also incredibly easy to maintain. There is no need for wax, chemicals, or even steam cleaners. In fact, they are not recommended, as they can damage the flooring. Best care is a regular sweep with a static broom and a damp mop.

While SPC is both durable and scratch-resistant, sharps will certainly leave a mark or a dent. Even sharp objects will scar concrete.

A few points to consider in maintaining your flooring in high traffic areas are:

Regular Cleaning

In commercial spaces, hard floors in high-traffic areas should be cleaned and swept at least once a day and mopped every few days, due to heavy foot traffic bringing all sorts of debris into the space.

Use Protectors

The sharp legs on chair legs and table legs, easily knocked and pushed out of place, can easily deeply scratch the floors. Use felt protectors on the feet of these legs to ensure that minor accidents do not do major damage to the floor. Do not forget to replace them regularly.

Do not Slide

Sometimes the easiest way to move furniture or other heavy items across a floor can be dragging, but this is one of the quickest ways to damage your floors, even if you do slide on mats. Invest in hand trolleys and other equipment to move furniture without damaging your back or the floor.

Avoid High Heels

While it can be impossible to only wear regular footwear in a public area, you can if the high-traffic area happens to be in your home. While durable flooring chosen for high-traffic areas should stand up to most shoes, high heels are a different story. A woman weighing just 125 pounds can exert 8,000 pounds of pressure with a high-heel shoe. Leave high heels at the door.

Is Vinyl Plank Flooring Good for High-Traffic Flooring?

Yes, Vinyl Plank flooring can be an excellent option for high traffic flooring. It is durable and scratch-resistant but also affordable and versatile. As well as being inexpensive to purchase, it is easy to install, which can save valuable dollars.

Viaduct Imports SPC Hybrid Vinyl Plank Flooring is waterproof. Being a soft flooring, means it feels comfortable and warm underfoot.

What is the Best Flooring for Large Dogs?

SPC Hybrid Vinyl Plank flooring can make a more comfortable space for your dog, and good quality options are scratch-resistant and waterproof and so should be able to deal with the wear and tear.

Best Flooring for Kitchens?

SPC Hybrid Vinyl Plank flooring is a better option. It is less durable, but it is waterproof, and it is also more comfortable underfoot, so there is no need for additional protection for joints.

If you are careful about what type of flooring you select to install in the high-traffic areas of your home or business, you can ensure that your floors look better and last longer.

Floors in high-traffic areas should be durable and not prone to scratching, as well as easy to clean and maintain.

Laminate and SPC Hybrid Vinyl Plank flooring are softer and warmer, so it is more comfortable underfoot for spaces where children play, or workers spend a lot of time on their feet. These floors also hold heat better than tile or cement, so it can be easier to keep warm in colder climates.

SPC Hybrid Vinyl Plank flooring can be the best option for kitchens as it is the most water-resistant of the options available.