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What is the Best Flooring for High Traffic Areas?

These types of spaces that see a lot of foot traffic need the right flooring to be able to handle the additional wear and tear. Here we look at the best flooring for high traffic, as well as pros and cons of various flooring materials.

CARPET

Carpet brings comfort and warmth to your home, and is often a more cost effective option. However, it tends to be more susceptible to wear and tear over the years, with the fibres pilling or bald patches appearing.

FINDING THE BEST CARPET FOR HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS

If your heart is set on using carpet, however, there are some types of carpet that are more suited to high-traffic areas. Nylon carpet for example is incredibly durable, making it a good choice for hallways and stairs.

Level loop pile carpets tend to be hard-wearing, and are less likely to get crushed underfoot – although if you have pets it may catch in their claws. Tip sheared pile is another popular choice, as it provides a level, smooth finish while also concealing foot prints.

TIMBER FLOORING

An obvious choice when it comes to finding durable flooring for high-traffic areas is timber. The right type of hardwood floor, installed correctly can last for decades.

The dense nature of timber flooring means that it can take a lot of wear and tear, while still maintaining its classic, stylish finish. However, timber floors also require care to keep them looking their best. If you notice the flooring losing its glossy shine in high-traffic areas, you may need to buff or recoat the floor to support its durability and moisture-resistance.

Be sure to ask our expert team at Carpet Call about the wear layer on our different timber products to find the best option for your home.

LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate flooring is a stalwart in the world of durable flooring, being both hard-wearing and more cost-effective than wooden flooring. It consists of layers of laminated wood, treated with resin for moisture-resistance. One of the best parts of laminate flooring is the sheer range of choices when it comes to the appearance. Laminate flooring is covered with a high-resolution photographic print, meaning that it can be tailored to suit a broad range of colour schemes, as well as being able to give the appearance of a wood or stone finish.

Over the top of the printed surface is a clear, highly durable wear layer, which also gives laminate flooring its water resistant properties. For high-traffic areas of the home, enquire about laminate flooring with a thicker wear layer, such as 12-15 millimetres.

VINYL FLOORING

Perhaps one of the best materials when it comes to finding flooring that is both comfortable, stylish and capable of handling heavy foot traffic is vinyl. Easy to install, vinyl flooring is soft underfoot – an added bonus if it’s being used in a busy area of the home.

Vinyl comes in a range of shades and effects, from rustic wood to classic tile, making it perfect for anywhere from the kitchen to the dining room. Caring for vinyl is also fairly straightforward, requiring minimal moisture or mopping. Simply dust and vacuum, or use vinyl-specific cleaning products as recommended. To reduce the amount of vacuuming or dusting, it’s also a good idea to use colourfast walk off mats at any entry points to your home, allowing the majority of outdoor dirt and grit to be picked up by the mat rather than spread across your floor. If you have pets, ensure their nails are kept trimmed to minimise the risk of scratches.

LOOKING FOR HARD-WEARING, DURABLE FLOORING FOR BUSY AREAS IN YOUR HOME?

If your current flooring is in need of an update, or is beginning to show its age, it’s time to talk to the expert team at Carpet Call. In addition to having a vast range of flooring options in store, our staff will be able to help guide you toward the best product for your needs.

If you see anything you like in store or online, we also offer our free, no-obligations Shop at Home service. This involves one of our representatives bringing your favourite samples to your home, allowing you to get an idea of how they’ll look once installed, as well as giving you a free measure and quote.

To find out more, visit us in store, or get in touch with the team today!

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