If you’re planning on installing a new floor, one of the main things to think about is resilience. This refers to the relative toughness of a flooring material—not only against physical damage, but also the kind that comes from moisture. This is especially relevant to those living in the Nashville area. The professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey put together this helpful guide about how resilient the common options truly are.
What to Know About Resilience of Flooring
Soft Flooring: Comfort Underfoot
On the softer side of things is the world of soft flooring. This encompasses most flooring you would traditionally find in the home, such as residential carpeting, vinyl flooring, and bamboo flooring. When properly maintained, or when a high-quality material is purchased, there are fewer concerns about the floor’s durability.
But at the end of the day, these materials will not hold up as long as other types out there. One of the main concerns is moisture. It will soak into soft flooring very quickly, meaning that you need to be on top of all spills as soon as possible or you run the risk of mold and mildew.
This is not to say you should never buy soft flooring. These floors are usually cheaper, and undoubtedly feel better underfoot, making them viable flooring options.
Hardwood Flooring: Well-Named?
Of course hardwood flooring is in the conversation when durability and resilience is involved. The thing that makes it difficult to place it in a ranking like this is the sheer number of options.
Despite the name, hardwood flooring includes the aforementioned bamboo; other softer woods such as pine; the standbys, like oak and cherry flooring; and at the other end of the spectrum, materials like brazllian walnut.
There is a lot to love about hardwood flooring. Notably, it’s the ability to sand the surface of the flooring that makes it stand out. This prolongs the life of the floor, and if properly maintained, hardwood flooring can last for more than a century. That is seriously resilient.
You do need to be concerned about the effect of moisture and water on the flooring, however. It’s not nearly as bad as carpet, but water can cause the wood to rot.
The King of Resiliency: Laminate Flooring
The most durable option also happens to be one of the cheapest options available. Laminate flooring is made from a combination of materials, including resin, which are then laminated. It is this process that gives the flooring material such durability, since it doesn’t leave room for water or moisture to sneak in.
Additionally, with a good solid core underneath, laminate flooring will stand up to the everyday wear and tear life will throw at it and walk away unscathed. You don’t have to worry about it scratching or fading either, so once you pick the look of the floor, expect to see that exact same thing for the life of the flooring.
There are many flooring options to choose from. Some of them are softer than the others, prioritizing comfort and luxury over durability; others, like the hardwood flooring family of options, are a good middle ground, while the most durable is laminate flooring. Once you know what you want for your next flooring project, or if you need help deciding, get in touch with the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey to make it happen.
