Best Flooring Options for High-Traffic Areas
When selecting flooring for high-traffic areas, it’s crucial to choose materials that can withstand heavy use while maintaining their appearance and functionality.
What are High Traffic Areas?
High traffic areas are parts of your home or commercial space that experience a lot of foot traffic. These are the areas that get walked on frequently and are more prone to wear and tear. Some examples of high traffic areas are such as, entryways, hallways, kitchens, living rooms, staircases, bathrooms.
These areas are used frequently and are more prone to damage than other parts of the house. For example, entryways and hallways are the first places people step on when they enter your home or commercial space, and they are also the last places they step on when they leave. This means that they are exposed to a lot of dirt, moisture, and other debris that can damage the flooring.
Here are some of the best flooring options for high-traffic areas:
Tile Flooring
Besides being extremely durable and resistant to stains, porcelain and ceramic tiles are also resistant to water and scratches and are one of the simplest options in terms of maintenance. A properly maintained floor can last up to 20 years in perfect conditions, provided that it is taken care of properly.
Elegance is a very important feature, and there are options that can achieve this capability very well, which makes them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. Moreover, these floors are eco-friendly, do not cause harm to the environment, and are hypoallergenic as well.
Vinyl Flooring
Like tile flooring, vinyl can also be printed to replicate the look of a variety of materials including stone and hardwood. Vinyl flooring is another popular choice among high traffic commercial and residential areas due to its durability, affordability, and resistance to heat, humidity, and moisture.
However, you want to be cautious when choosing vinyl flooring. When it comes to vinyl flooring you get what you pay for, so pay extra attention to quality. The quality of the vinyl that you purchase will have a direct impact on how well it will withstand busy foot traffic.
Laminate Flooring:
Laminate flooring is an affordable and popular choice for high-traffic areas. It’s constructed with a layer of high-density fiberboard or medium-density fiberboard. It’s also topped with a high-quality photographic layer. This can mimic the appearance of wood, stone, or other materials.
Laminate flooring is known for its scratch resistance. This is why it’s an excellent option for busy areas. Look for laminate with a high AC (abrasion class) rating. This could include AC3 or AC4. These provide enhanced scratch resistance.
Hardwood And Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Wood floors are characterized by elegance, like hardwoods and engineered hardwood floors. They are very durable and have a high resale value due to the natural beauty and for engineered hardwood, the different layers of wood (for added stability). Furthermore, they have the advantages of comfort and durability.
Their weakness is in the area of scratches and dents. Natural wood will wear and many people believe this adds to the floors beauty. But note that other home owners stress out about every little scratch, and that is their right as a home owner.
So be careful when choosing natural hardwood floors if you are worried about natural wear and tear. Hardwood flooring is perhaps the most expensive option for high-traffic areas, but its resale value may make it an excellent choice.
Concrete Flooring:
Concrete floors have gained popularity in modern and industrial-style designs. They offer exceptional durability. This makes them suitable for high-traffic areas as well.
You can even seal or polish concrete. This provides increased scratch resistance. It also protects against stains and spills. With the right sealing and finishing techniques, concrete floors can also be stunning. You’ll have options for customization in terms of color and texture.
Epoxy Flooring:
Epoxy flooring consists of a resin and hardener mixture. When you apply it, epoxy forms a strong, seamless, and chemical-resistant coating.
Epoxy flooring is hard to beat when it comes to resistance to scratches, stains, and chemicals. It’s available in a variety of colors, patterns, and finishes as well. This customization makes it possible to match any aesthetic.
Bamboo Flooring:
Are you looking for environmentally-friendly and scratch-proof flooring? Bamboo flooring could be a fabulous option. Bamboo grows much faster than other plants like trees.
It even has a similar hardness to hardwood flooring. It’s less susceptible to scratches and dents.
It’s important to choose bamboo flooring that’s been properly treated and finished. This will enhance its durability and longevity.
Rubber Flooring:
Rubber flooring is among the best flooring option for high-traffic areas that require slip resistance. This could be ideal for commercial kitchens or gymnasiums.
Rubber floors offer excellent shock absorption. This makes them comfortable to stand on for extended periods. Rubber flooring comes in various colors and patterns. You can choose creative designs while prioritizing safety and durability.
These are just but a few of the best flooring options for high-traffic areas that you should consider before having your flooring installation services.
Looking for a flooring solution for high traffic areas? One of our flooring specialists can help you decide what type of flooring is best for your high traffic space. At Elite Floors Kenya, we offer professional floor installation and replacement services customized to meet the specific needs and concerns of your home, from carpet to hardwood floors, to everything in between.
Get in touch with our flooring experts to learn more about what type of flooring would work best for your high-traffic site.
