Vinyl flooring is typically the easiest type of flooring material to maintain because it is stain-resistant, water-resistant, and non-porous.
Tiles in lighter tones are harder to clean, so you'll want to lean toward beiges, grays, or even slightly darker shades. Matte finishes also do a good job of keeping dirt out of sight, and this finish will also make your tile much less slippery when wet.
Carpet flooring is, without a doubt, the most difficult flooring to keep clean. There are so many factors that work against you when it comes to this flooring; one of the known ones being its inability to handle stains.
“Tile is the highest-rated flooring among the categories we test,” says Ciufo. “It doesn't wear out, scratch, or stain. Its color doesn't fade, it's waterproof, and it is surprisingly slip-resistant, even when wet. Porcelain tile is the best choice for bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms—and probably kitchens.”
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
Lifespan. Thick, quality vinyl flooring can last up to 25 years, with thinner vinyl flooring's lifespan limited to less than 10 years. Laminate flooring can last between 15 and 25 years, though poorly maintained laminate may last only five to 10 years.
Vinyl, laminate and engineered wood are extremely easy to care for. Materials that need to be sealed, like stone and linoleum, are much higher maintenance. ✔️ Health and sustainability: Some floors are better for you and for the planet. As a rule, the fewer synthetic materials they contain, the better.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
Porcelain tile: Porcelain tile is a form of ceramic tile often used in showers, bathtubs, pools, and other pure-water areas. This material is highly resistant to intense water, thanks to the very fine clays and high firing temperatures used in its creation.
Neutral shades such as light brown, gray, and black are timeless classics that will look good for years to come. These hues make a great backdrop for any room in your home, so you can easily accessorize the space without worrying about the color clashing with your floors.
So, what flooring looks cleanest? Typically, lighter color woods show less dirt and dust. Dark floors can easily show dust, while lighter floors mask it. Similarly, matte floors show less smudges, foot and paw prints than high gloss flooring.
Drawing on the traditional neutral colors of carpet, choose a light or neutral tone for a timeless carpet. Choose from gray, white, or beige to match your interior design. When popular flooring trends change, you won't have to update yours!
Easy-to-clean tile and stone are typically the go-to choices, because neither trap dust mites, pollen, dander and other airborne particles that aggravate allergies. Still, not everyone likes the feel, or they worry about falling on a hard surface. Hardwood is generally somewhat better than carpet in terms of allergies.
Laminate Flooring
The fact that laminate is so easy to clean makes it an extremely popular choice for use in kitchens and bathrooms.
Hardwood flooring is a classic, time-tested choice for reducing allergen levels and pollen exposure in the home. Dust and allergens can be easily wiped away with regular cleaning of the floors, and there is little for these pollutants to “cling” to.
Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins.
Flooring Installation Cost Per Square Foot
Hardwood flooring is the most expensive material to install (close to $10 per square foot or more).
Laminate flooring is healthier than carpet in terms of being considered as being more hygienic and hypoallergenic than carpet. This means that if you are often prone to many sorts of allergens such as dust or pollen, laminate flooring would be the wiser choice.
No. 1 Common Grade – Characterized by prominent color variation as well as prominent (but limited in size) character marks such as knots and open checks, as well as variations resulting from drying and machining processes. This grade results in a tasteful floor where prominent variation is to be expected.
“Tile is the highest-rated flooring among the categories we test,” says Enrique de Paz, who leads flooring testing at Consumer Reports. “It doesn't wear out, scratch, or stain. Its color doesn't fade, it's waterproof, and it is surprisingly slip-resistant, even when wet.
Vinyl flooring is probably the easiest to clean out of all the options listed here and also one of the easiest to maintain.
Con: LVP May Dent
Luxury vinyl flooring can dent and even scratch or scuff, especially from heavy appliances, furniture, or other weighty objects. Just because it's resistant to something doesn't mean it's impervious to it. However, do know that LVP resists scratches better than real hardwood.
Regular vinyl is more affordable, thinner, and features full glue-down installation options, offering about 10 to 15 years of lifespan. Luxury vinyl provides floating installation, can last more than 25 years, and is considered reasonable even for high-end settings.
Generally speaking, vinyl can cost as low as $1.00 or even $. 50 per square foot for glue-down vinyl flooring and $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot for LVT planks. Similarly, laminate ranges from $1.00 per square foot for thin planks and around $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot for lower-end 12 mm-thick planks.