What's the most durable/valuable flooring

10 years ago

I'm looking to replace to flooring in a 1800 sq ft home with, laminate, tile or luxurious vinyl plank. I love real wood; however we have pets who may scratch the surface and in the future may have children. What is the most durable yet cost effective and aesthetic flooring that you have experience with?

Featured Answer

PRO

Cancork Floor Inc.

10 years ago

You have several different categories in your question but are asking for only one solution. You will need to decide WHICH category is MORE important to you: "durable" or "cost effective". The floors found in these two categories RARELY find their way into the other category....for very good reason.

Category 1: Durable.

Super simple answer = porcelain tile or stone. These are followed by ceramic tiles and by high-end finished concrete (none of that "HD" remedy epoxy...total waste of money). After the "big boys" you start getting in to the commercial grade vinyl (ugly) and commercial grade lino (beautiful but HORRIBLY expensive). Luxury vinly planks (LVP) or tiles (LVT) in a HIGH END residential finish come next...so too the linos. Then come hardwoods (engineered and solid are in the same category), then laminate, carpet and then cork.

Category 2: Cost effective

If you INVERT the list I've given you...you can ALMOST come up with a list of things all by yourself. Except cork is far more expensive than most laminates and many engineered hardwoods as well as many LVT/LVP products.

As you can see the BOTTOM of category 1 becomes the TOP of category 2. You can purchase a low-end laminate for $0.89/sf and have it last 5 years. You can purchase a HIGH END laminate for $4.50/sf and have it last 15 years. You can purchase a high-end LVT for $6/sf and have it last 15-20 years. Or you can purchase low-end ceramic tiles for $2.50/sf (install is adds $4-$6/sf onto cost of the tile) and have it pop up in 5 years (very annoying when you spend all that money and have to replace ALL OF IT in 5 years).

I would ask you, which is more important to you: longevity (durability) or cost effective? You have to choose a category...the two that you have listed are mutually exclusive to one another.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

PRO
Cinar Interiors, Inc.
10 years ago
Look into floating vinyl planks.

US Floors Coretec Plus
http://www.usfloorsllc.com/display-category/coretec-plus/

Shaw Floors Floorte
https://shawfloors.com/flooring/fundamentals/resilient/why-resilient/floorte-luxury-vinyl-flooring-collection

Looks like hardwood but 10x easier to maintain. Normal everyday wear and tear resistant, moisture resistant, easy under feet for those of us who have bad knees/joints. Comfortable.
sunnydrew
10 years ago
I used Congoleum Duraceramic tiles that look like slate. They come in all kinds of patterns and colors. It has held up very well and the grout is acrylic, so it does not stain or chip out.
Related Professionals
Indianapolis Interior Designers & Decorators · New London Interior Designers & Decorators · Alexandria Interior Designers & Decorators · Watertown Interior Designers & Decorators · Yuma Interior Designers & Decorators · Idaho Falls Interior Designers & Decorators · Dubuque Architects & Building Designers · South Bend Architects & Building Designers · Carson City Architects & Building Designers · Bainbridge Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · DeRidder Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Winston-Salem Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lansing Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Harrisburg Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Longview Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
User
10 years ago
Tile all the way. It's a lifetime floor.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
10 years ago
I like tile that looks like wood grain.
Suraj Devraj
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for all the feedback. I will look into these products. Thank you for the in depth analysis. I think something in the middle will meet our need. I have much homework to do still.
visualizemaven
10 years ago
Hi Suraj - I would just like to add that Vinyl does off gas toxins which are considered undesirable and bad for you, pets, babies, the environment............... So make sure to include health factors while doing your research.

IMO, I think porcelain tiles in a style which you love are a good choice. I have been excited by the new technology which has resulted in some very interesting faux wood looks. They are durable and easy to maintain. A down side is that they can be hard on the legs in certain areas like the kitchen.

Good luck in making your decision.
Suraj Devraj
Original Author
10 years ago
This is a great point that I didn't consider or know about. I'll definitely investigate a little further. Thank you
visualizemaven
10 years ago
your welcome- let us know what you learn and decide!

Best.
User
10 years ago
Hardwood looks better the more scratches it gets.
Nicole Thompson
10 years ago
Hello, folks. I had the same question but I 'think' I have decided to go with the wood look tile for the bedroom and use the luxury vinyl over existing tile in the bathroom. I realize that as long as the floor is level I can always try other vinyl over the tile in the bedroom. All this is an upgrade from old carpet.
PRO
Cinar Interiors, Inc.
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Is this vinyl that you're using over the tile a glue down or floating product?
If floating, you will need a reducer in the doorway leading out of the bathroom and into the other room.
If glue down, you will want to use a leveling compound on the tile first. I have seen too many instances where people have glued vinyl to tile not thinking that down the road when the vinyl relaxes that it will form to the tile. Meaning you will see the grout joints or any imperfections in the tile later down the road in the vinyl.
Might be best to remove all tile in bathroom and install new product directly on top of the subfloor.
PRO
JudyG Designs
10 years ago
I put wood look alike porcelain in my new downsize. Tough (I have a pet and a husband), beautiful, easy care, not too expensive, but the install was quite expensive. If you can, add radiant heat off your furnace. They are cold.

Glad I did it.

My second recommendation is engineered hardwood, prefinished. In my former home, I had Hickory, saddle stain, and again with a pet and a husband, I had absolutely no problems.
PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
10 years ago
@ Judy...I love how pets and husband are in the same category = destructive. Too true.
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
If you're looking for durability, tile is the only option. I have had
hardwood floors with a 100lbs dog and a small chihuahua for 15 years and
they have not marked up the floors. There are some scratches but only
for what it is normal for 15 years and it looks even better with the scratches. But if you still don't want wood,
tile is the only long lasting option you listed. I have seen new build
home after new build home with "luxury" vinyl and laminate and within 2
years, the dogs/kids/life have ruined the floors. You can take your
fingernail and scratch luxury vinyl and laminate. You can't do that to
hard wood or tile. I am so amazed the flooring industry has managed to
convince people that luxury vinyl and laminate are good choices.