“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.
Tile flooring made from har material such as ceramic or porcelain are among the most scratch-resistant flooring you can find. Tile flooring is also one of the most versatile, customizable flooring options with a multitude of shapes, sizes, colors, patterns and styles.
Oil-Based Polyurethane
For years and years, oil-based polyurethane was one of the most sought-after types of hardwood floor finishes, for several reasons. This type of finish is great for high-traffic areas, such as hallways, offices, or homes with children and/or pets.
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.
Firstly, it can be difficult to install and may require professional help. Secondly, vinyl plank flooring is not as durable as other types of flooring such as hardwood or tile. It is also prone to scratching and denting from heavy furniture or objects being dragged across the surface.
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.
Polyaspartic Floor Coatings
These floor coatings come with a lifetime warranty because that's how long they're expected to last you. Polyaspartic floor coatings are very damage resistant and strong. They won't chip, there won't be any hot-tire pick up, they're resistant to abrasion.
The solvent-based polyurethanes are the toughest and most hard wearing and have the highest gloss levels of all the timber floor coatings classes.
Hence, staying in top floor of a high-rise building is practically safer than to be in the open street among the stampede of fear-stricken people. Tall buildings offer maximum security from an earthquake jolt if the areas do not fall in the epicenter of extremely powerful earthquake.
Hardwood Flooring
what's better than hardwood flooring? It's beautiful, it's durable, and it never goes out of style. Not to mention all of your friends, family, and neighbors aspire to have it, so you'll have your entire network envying your home's flooring design.
Light-colored hardwood floors. This is probably no surprise either. Because scratches and other minor nicks are often light colored, they blend in well with light-colored hardwood floors. To add, hardwood floors that have little to no glossy sheen (i.e. matte hardwood floors) also aid in hiding wear and tear.
Good choices are linoleum, ceramic tile–both very common–and wood. Linoleum is inexpensive and provides an easy-to-clean surface and comes in countless designs. Ceramic tiles are even better. Also easy to maintain and available in a huge range, they offer superior durability, resisting most dents, dings and scratches.
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.
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.
Pros: Vinyl flooring is especially good at fending off wear, dents, scratches, discoloration from sunlight, and stains. It's also waterproof, so it's a great alternative to tile in wet rooms such as baths and kitchens, where it provides a forgiving surface underfoot.
Oil-based polyurethane finishes are extremely durable and great for households with pets and/or heavy foot traffic.
One of the most popular wood species options for a durable hardwood floor is oak. Oak is a very hard wood, and it is available in both solid and engineered varieties. Oak hardwood floors are also easy to clean and maintain, making them perfect for busy families.
Ipe Hardwood
Ipe or Brazilian walnut is top-notch if you want the hardest and most durable flooring on the market.
Vinyl is our top choice, but laminate is also an excellent option. If you have a bit more money to spend, you can consider tile, which is more expensive than vinyl or laminate flooring but offers similar dog-friendly characteristics like water and scratch resistance.
The longevity of an epoxy floor system will vary based on thickness, use and maintenance. Typically, epoxy floors last between 10 and 20 years; much longer than a painted concrete floor, which will chip and wear quickly in high-traffic areas.
In recent years, LVT (luxury vinyl tile) has established itself as one of the toughest surfaces in the flooring world. Major manufacturers, including Armstrong (with their Diamond 10 Technology), Shaw, Mannington and Congoleum have embraced its durability, stability and wide range of design options.
Manufacturing vinyl flooring requires the use of toxic chemicals, and after installation, vinyl floors have been known to emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Off-gassed VOCs can adversely affect health and an indoor environment, particularly without windows or ventilation, will lead to higher concentrations.
Some disadvantages of vinyl flooring include: Cannot be repaired. Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Shorter lifespan than wood floors.
Durability. Laminate and LVT/LVP flooring are both extremely durable, but they have their weaknesses. Laminate is prone to scratches and chipped corners over time, so vinyl is probably a better choice for your home if you have pets. LVT/LVP is scratch-resistant, but it's more vulnerable to denting and tearing.