Types of Flooring That Are Easier To Maintain

Flooring is the material that covers the floor surface of a home or building. It is an important design element that impacts a space's overall look and feel. The type of flooring chosen also affects factors like noise level, durability, comfort underfoot, and maintenance requirements. With so many options available today, from natural stone and hardwood to vinyl and laminate, selecting the right flooring can be daunting.

For many homeowners, choosing flooring that is simple to maintain and clean is a key factor. Over time, low-maintenance flooring can help you save time and money. When evaluating flooring materials, look at the level of traffic in the space, susceptibility to scratches and dents, and how easily the floor can be cleaned. Generally, highly durable floors with protective coatings or surfaces are simpler to maintain than more sustainable materials.

Benefits of Easier to Maintain Types of Floorings

Opting for low-maintenance flooring comes with many advantages:

• Less frequent cleaning - Floors that resist dirt, spills, and scuffs need less frequent cleaning sessions to keep them looking fresh. This saves you time on household chores.
• Reduced costs - With fewer professional deep cleans required, you spend less money on cleaning supplies and services over the lifetime of your floor.
• Longer lifespan - Resilient flooring and protective materials are less likely to exhibit wear and water damage. This means you won't need to replace the floors as often.
• Hygienic - Floors that are simple to maintain and sanitize help reduce allergens and bacteria in your home. This creates a healthier indoor environment.
• Visual appeal - Low-maintenance floors retain their like-new appearance for years with minimal upkeep. No more dull, worn floors in high-traffic areas.
  
  

Popular Options for Easier-to-Maintain Types of Flooring

If low maintenance is your goal, here are some top flooring options to consider:

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tile has long been prized for its durability and water resistance. The dense, fired clay surface is nearly impervious to scratches, scuffs and moisture. The grout between tiles will need periodic cleaning and possible re-grouting over time, but the tile flooring can last decades with minimal care. Glazed ceramic tiles have a smooth, shiny surface that resists staining from spills and dirt. A popular choice in kitchens and baths, ceramic tile comes in endless colours, shapes, and patterns.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring mimics the appearance of real wood and has a top layer of protection that is resistant to stains, fading, and moisture. Most laminates click together for DIY-friendly installation. Regular sweeping and damp-mopping are all needed to keep laminate floors fresh. The durable surface also repels pet claws, spiked heels, falling sharp objects, and other abrasions. Laminate is cost-effective and simple to install and maintain.

Hardwood Floors

Traditional hardwood made from oak flooring, maple, or exotic woods has timeless appeal. Their dense composition helps hardwood resist indentations from furniture legs, heels, and other impacts. Newer engineered hardwood has multiple layers fused for added stability. Keep hardwood floors lustrous by sweeping frequently, mopping with wood-safe cleaners and refinishing as needed. Avoid excessive water exposure. While costs are higher, real wood floors can last 100 years with proper maintenance.

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

Luxury vinyl tile mimics the visuals of natural stone, wood, and other textures in a waterproof and extremely durable, resilient floor. The tough top layer resists scratches and stains, while the stone-based core provides stability. LVT clicks together for simple DIY installation. Maintaining LVT floors involves sweeping and damp mopping - harsh chemicals are not required. LVT provides the sophistication of higher-end flooring materials with maximum durability and easy maintenance.

Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring made from single-piece planks of oak, maple, cherry or exotic piece of wood makes a dramatic design statement. The thick solid wood has natural insulating properties to help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Keep solid wood looking like new by sweeping and mopping regularly with wood cleaners. Refinish as needed. Avoid excessive moisture. Solid wood does show dents and scratches more readily than engineered wood but can be sanded and refinished to restore its beauty.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is one of the most affordable price and fuss-free flooring options. The resilient material is comfortable underfoot and reduces impact noise. Vinyl resists moisture, spills, and heavy impacts and requires little more than sweeping and mopping to maintain its fresh look. Vinyl plank flooring brands click together for simple DIY installation. Vinyl sheet flooring can be professionally installed in seamless expanses. Cost-effective, durable material and easy to clean, vinyl is ideal for family homes, rentals and high-traffic areas.

Concrete Flooring

Plain unfinished concrete provides an industrial loft look. Concrete's durability makes it impervious to scratches, spills and other damage. Maintaining exposed concrete involves sweeping and damp mopping to remove dirt and debris. Concrete can be etched, stained, and polished into modern finished floors. The process makes the concrete denser and more lustrous while enhancing stain resistance. Durable, practical concrete stands up well to heavy impacts and foot traffic.

Natural Materials for Easier-to-Maintain Types of Floorings

Nature provides beautiful flooring materials that can also be low maintenance when properly cared for:

Wide Variety of Woods Available

Wood floors impart natural warmth and timeless style. Durable domestic and exotic species like oak, maple, bamboo, and cork resist indentations and can be refinished multiple times. Following the wood floor manufacturer's maintenance instructions for cleaning, moisture protection, and refinishing allows real wood floors to remain beautiful for decades. New engineered wood floors are particularly dent-resistant thanks to their multi-layer build.

Cork Flooring

Cork oak floors provide a cushiony, comfortable walking surface. Cork resists moisture, mildew and temperature fluctuations within a stable temperature range of 55°F - 75°F. Keep cork floors lustrous by sweeping frequently and damp mopping with non-abrasive cleaners. Avoid excessive moisture. Cork floors should be professionally recoated every 3-5 years to renew the protective sealant layer. Cork flooring is also naturally hypoallergenic, which helps improve indoor air quality.

Synthetic Materials for Easier-to-Maintain Types of Floorings

Technology has produced advanced synthetic flooring materials that rival the look of real stone and wood with maximum durability:

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

Luxury vinyl tile replicates natural stone or hardwood's veining, texture and tones in a durable, moisture-resistant material. LVT has a tough, clear top layer that protects against scratches, spills, dents and fading. The stone-based core improves dimensional stability. LVT resists cracks, moisture damage and temperature fluctuations well. Routine sweeping and damp mopping are all needed to maintain the beautiful faux textures. Easy DIY installation plus minimal maintenance make LVT floors a practical yet elegant perfect choice.

Do you love the look of wood but hate the maintenance? Check out EasyStep Flooring's beautiful luxury vinyl wood and stone floors. They install and clean easily yet stand up to real life's messes and traffic. Get a free estimate on low-maintenance LVT floors that retain their just-installed shine for years!

In summary, when choosing new floors for your home, consider how easy they will be to live with long-term. Low-maintenance floors stay fresh with minimal cleaning. This saves you time and money over the years. The most durable, protective flooring materials like ceramic tile, LVT, vinyl, laminate and certain wood floors qualify as easier-to-maintain options for busy homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the most scratch-resistant flooring?

A: Ceramic and porcelain tiles are highly scratch-resistant thanks to their ultra-dense composition.

Q: Do wood floors scratch easily?

A: Solid hardwood flooring can be prone to scratches and dents. But new engineered hardwood floors have a resilient top layer that better resists scratches.

Q: Is vinyl or laminate flooring more durable?

A: Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is generally more scratch and dent-resistant than laminate. Vinyl also resists moisture better.

Q: What's the easiest floor to keep clean?

A: Low-maintenance floors like vinyl, ceramic tile, LVT, and certain sealed hardwoods only need sweeping and damp mopping to keep clean.

Q: How long does vinyl flooring last?

A: Vinyl flooring typically lasts 15-30 years with proper care and maintenance. The wear layer protects the vinyl and determines its durability.

Q: Can you use Steam mops on vinyl plank flooring?

A: Most vinyl plank flooring can be safely cleaned with steam mops if you check the manufacturer guidelines first and use the steam mop on the lowest setting. Avoid prolonged direct steam contact.

Q: Does vinyl flooring scratch easily?

A: Quality vinyl flooring is designed with a tough protective top layer that resists scratches from pet claws, furniture legs, heels, and other contacts. Follow the manufacturer's care guidelines to prevent scratching.

Q: What are the pros and cons of concrete floors?

A: Concrete floors are extremely durable but can feel cold climates and echoey. Staining and polishing concrete provides an attractive, easier-to-clean surface. The installation cost is low. Concrete doesn't work with radiant heating systems.

Q: Can you refinish engineered hardwood floors?

A: Depending on the thickness of the top hardwood layer, engineered hardwood can typically be refinished 1-3 times. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for the flooring you have.