Without knowing all the facts, I would not use wood in a mud room.

Limestone is not a good alternative to hardwood. It's more porous than marble, and sealing it will not prevent chipping or etching. If you're going to use stone, use granite. You could also use brick, saltillo tile, sheet vinyl, marmoleum, linoleum, or a porcelain tile that looks like any of these. Also use something that contrasts with the hardwood, and nothing that mimics wood (like LVP or LVT).

Just make sure that you have a transition strip between the mud room floor and the hardwood.

Here are some ideas:

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Tile is also rated for slip. Get something safe.

Vinyl mats come in lots of patterns and sizes. Would protect the wood and be decorative and fun.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/928473994/hadley-art-mat-ceramica-collection-vinyl?epik=dj0yJnU9ajhmQ0RwSkdKMWVhWTVMNWFfdTNVYm1VWWs5OWVZZHkmcD0wJm49WjlrS3ZtSGh4VlNvRklxbC13UEUtUSZ0PUFBQUFBR1BGWDBj

My foyer is hardwood. It is literally carpeted in waterhog mats, and during the winter I am always screaming at people to take boots, coats, hats, etc. off WHILE THEY ARE ON THE MATS!. Why the builders didn't put slate there, like a proper 1960's entrance, I'll never know.

That is my dream, slate tile.

This link shows another example of slate tile in the mudroom combined with wood in the rest of the home.

https://www.thelilypadcottage.com/grey-and-blue-mudroom/

I put cement tile in my mudroom and am so glad I did. It's the main entry friends and family use.

Like others have suggested, I wouldn't put limestone or wood in a mudroom.

We are putting in granite in our entryway in the house we are building in the mountains. I did not want hardwood since it rains and snows a lot in this area. The rest of the house (minus bathrooms) will be hardwood.

Tile for sure so you can mop the crap off it. Absolutely no wood if you have kids and dogs. They will NOT stay on the mats. Nor will the husband. 😳.

Good domestic slate is such a great product that is warm, and pairs well with wood.

hardwood is for adults with socks

kids & dogs don't care about your concerns

A large washable rug or 2 is a wonderful thing at the messy entrance to a house. Over a hard surface like tile, it catches the mess before it gets tracked into the house. I have 2 large matching Ikea ones at my tiled front door entrance, one at the door and one further down the hall. It's the main entrance to my house for all manner of snow boots, gardening clogs, bicycles etc.

I was considering limestone for our mudroom floor. The mudroom is where an ill dog or cat would stay overnight. I got a sample of the stone and drew a circle on it in lime juice. Left it on for 2 minutes. There is a very, very noticeable white etched circle on the stone. I can’t imagine what would happen with a pet accident left for a couple of hours or overnight.

I am wondering on this as well. Hardwood is a no from most sources I have read, but engineered hardwood is a yes. It can stand up to moisture prone areas and abuse. I think I am going this route….

@HU-173242354

I disagree on that blanket statement that engineered wood floors can withstand more abuse than site finished wood floors. So many variables to consider in the quality of wood used, type of finish, wear layer, etc.

I love wood floors, but I still wouldn't place a site finished or engineered version in a mudroom entry used by kids and dogs. And definitely not if you live in rainy and snowy climates.

In a less used formal foyer ... definitely.

To complicate things even more, you can also buy engineered wood planks that are finished on site like solid wood floors. I still wouldn't use that version in a mudroom.

" . . . a no from most sources I have read, but engineered hardwood is a yes."

Be suspicious of advice on products that is given to you by the person selling those products.

If you live in a climate where you’re tracking in snow, then a tile floor with radiant heating is the best! The melted snow evaporates in no time. I would also recommend a tile floor that is mud coloured rather than a floor that contrasts with mud or dust. You can add in something like a Chilewich shag mat in the heavily travelled areas like just inside the door. This can be sprayed off or taken to the car wash for easy cleaning.

Engineered hardwood will not stand up to wet.

Consider slate. BUT…have it sealed before it is installed. I mean it. Sealed before it is installed. It will help with making sure that the textured surface doesn’t capture the grout. And it will help with penetration of water, etc. Even if it means YOU unpackage all the slate and, one by one, seal the tops of it for your installer. (How do I know this? You don’t want to ask!)

I have engineered hardwood in the mudroom, and 4 school age kids. The runner in the middle of the room catches most of the mess. No problems 2 years later.