Does a Harder Surface Floor Mean a Better Floor for you?
Oftentimes we get asked what features of a floor really make it durable...
Is it the hardness?
Is it the wear layer?
Or is it the product itself?
With all the information from manufacturer's and retailer's out there it can appear difficult to pick out the right floor. After all, it is going to be the most prominent interior feature of your home for years to come!
So in today's post we are really going to peel back the surface on what make's a good, durable floor.
Is Hardness the Most Important Factor in a Floors Durability?
No!
Contrary to what you may have been told by an eager salesperson or read on a manufacturer's website. Hardness is not the most important factor in a floor's durability.
If not hardness, then what determines a floor's durability?
This varies product by product:
Laminate durability is valued by the thickness of the product, the click-n-lock mechanism, and the melamine finish. Thickness is the most important durability measure for a laminate floor, it will take a lifetime of regular use to wear down a 12mil product. We recommend nothing less than 8 mil thickness to ensure you have a product that installs well and can span a large area like a dining room without transitions.
Vinyl plank durability is valued mainly by its wear layer. A 12 mil Vinyl Floor means that there is 12 mils of protective coating you have to wear off before you reach the design layer of the product and fade the wood image. The length of the warranty is a good measure for what you can expect the floor to last, under the typical residential or commercial environment with a proper installation.
Engineered Wood comes with a unique aluminum oxide finish that is second in hardness only to diamond. A harder species does not necessarily mean you will or wont have scratches on your floor. That comes down to how you care for your wood floors. For more on wood floor care visit here.
At the end of the day the right floor for your home will depend on your lifestyle, plans for your home, and personal preferences.
When you are ready to explore flooring options for your home give us a call or a visit. We reverse engineer your project for you so that you have no surprises at the end- Except for how beautiful your floor is of course! We don't believe in 'hard' selling a product because we may receive higher profits. We want you to fall in love with the floor you will walk on and cherish for years to come.
We understand how difficult it may seem to put together any remodeling project, small or big. So we take this daunting task and make it simpler. We offer you peace-of-mind by providing you high quality materials & elite level installations. Our staff is here to to help take you from start to finish with your project.
We want to make sure you're happy from the first step into our showroom to the first step on your new floor. M.R. Flooring & Remodeling is your one stop shop for flooring and remodeling in the greater San Antonio area. Visit us today and see why we are one of the best rated flooring stores & installation teams in Texas.