Whether you spend your days in an office or a bustling home, between rolling office chairs, kids, pets, and who knows what else, the floors under your feet bear the weight of a hubbub of activity. 

That’s why choosing the right flooring for high-traffic areas isn’t just a stylish decision, but also a practical one — and you want your flooring choice to stand the test of time. 

But with the array of options available, how do you decide what flooring is best for high-traffic areas? 

Join us on a journey through the top contenders in the flooring arena, where durability meets design — and discover the best flooring for the high-traffic areas in your life.

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Table of Contents

Why Is It Important To Select the Right Flooring for High-Traffic Areas?

High-traffic areas are the spots that receive the most use and show wear the quickest. 

If you use the wrong type of flooring in these locations, you’ll likely to replace it far sooner than you would if you choose the right flooring from the start.

While lifestyle factors such as kids and pets can impact which areas of your home are more high-traffic than others, generally the highest-traffic areas in a home include: 

  • Entryways
  • The path from the kitchen to the living room
  • Paths in the hallways between the bedrooms
  • Staircases
  • Mudrooms

Factors To Consider When Choosing the Best Flooring for High-Traffic Areas

Durability

Durability in flooring refers to the wear and tear that takes place in the process of daily activities over time.

As you’re considering what flooring is best for high-traffic areas in your home, choose a highly durable option. Durability is the most important characteristic to consider. 

Durable flooring will stand up well against: 

  • Regular foot traffic 
  • Pets
  • Children playing
  • Falling objects
  • Moving furniture

Resistance Levels

Resistance levels refer to the flooring’s ability to maintain its aesthetic and structural integrity in the areas of:

  • Scratch-resistance
  • Water damage
  • Heat damage
  • UV rays
  • And more

Since they receive so much use, high-traffic areas should have flooring with the highest level of resistance.

Maintenance Requirements

As a general rule, any type of flooring material will last longer when it is maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Flooring in high-traffic areas receives increased exposure to:

  • Footprints
  • Scratches
  • Dust
  • Dirt 

Since the flooring in heavy-use areas is easily soiled, muddied, and stained, easy maintenance is a highly desirable feature. 

Some types of flooring require more care and maintenance than others. It is important to go into your flooring search well-informed so you can select a flooring that matches your level of commitment to its maintenance. 

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What Flooring Is Best for High-Traffic Areas?

It depends. Ultimately, the answer to this question will vary depending on:

  • Your lifestyle
  • The number of people in your home
  • Your budget
  • Your aesthetic goals

Whatever type of flooring you choose for a high-traffic area in your home needs to be of the utmost quality.

3 Types of Flooring That Perform Well in Residential High-Traffic Areas 

#1: Tile

Tile is a classic flooring material that holds up well in the face of:

  • Wear from foot traffic
  • Water spills
  • Flooding
  • Ultraviolet light from the sun
  • Stains
  • Scratches

Depending on where it is installed, tile can feel cold and uninviting. You may want to consider using throw rugs, or runners to warm the room and soften the look. 

Installing tile can also be challenging and poor installation can result in cracking. It is always best to hire a professional, like the team at Interior Motives Flooring. 

Located in Auburn, WA, Interior Motives Flooring specializes in flooring sales and installations. In addition to offering in-home/on-site consultations, we also have a physical showroom where you can set up an appointment to browse our comprehensive flooring selection. 

Contact us today to learn more. 

best flooring for high traffic areas

#2: Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is a great option for flooring for high-traffic areas since it is known for standing up to:

  • Wear and tear
  • Denting
  • Scratching
  • Discoloration from sunlight
  • Staining

Vinyl flooring is easier to install than tile, especially if you choose to use vinyl tiles or planks. It is available in a wide variety of color and texture options, including stone, tile, and wood.

Vinyl flooring options for high-traffic areas include:

  • Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) – LVP is vinyl flooring that is designed in planks that resemble the planks in traditional hardwood flooring.
  • Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) – LVT is vinyl flooring that comes in a tile shape.
  • Sheet vinyl – Vinyl sheet flooring is available in large rolls. This is a good option for homeowners who are seeking to minimize the appearance of seams in their flooring.

Vinyl flooring is especially suitable for bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens due to its:

  • Practicality
  • Cost-effectiveness
  • Low maintenance requirements
  • Water-resistance

#3: Laminate

Laminate flooring is composed of a photograph sandwiched between a clear, protective plastic top layer and a fiberboard base. 

One of the great things about laminate flooring is that it can be made to resemble a variety of looks, such as stone, tile, or wood. However, since it is created from repetitive patterns, low-quality laminate can often look “fake.”

Laminate flooring is sealed with a tough wear layer, making it exceptionally durable. It is also:

  • Easy to install
  • Affordable
  • Long-lasting 
  • Easy to maintain
  • Easy to clean

A potential downside to laminate is that once its protective top layer has worn through, you must replace the entire floor.

3 Types of Flooring That Perform Well in Commercial High-Traffic Areas

Are you searching for the best flooring for high-traffic areas in a commercial building? Consider installing:

  • Commercial tile
  • Luxury vinyl planks 
  • Commercial carpet
  • Polished concrete

#1: Commercial Tile and LVP

Ceramic tile is created from a mixture of clay, water, and minerals fired at high temperatures. It’s one of the best options for flooring in high-traffic areas because it is: 

  • Affordable
  • Durable 
  • Non-porous and water-resistant
  • Visually appealing

Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are another popular option. While traditional sheet vinyl is made from thin, flexible vinyl topped with a wear layer, luxury vinyl is much thicker and consists of:

  • A rigid backing layer
  • A middle layer that provides the realistic look of faux wood or stone
  • Two clear top layers that protect against the wear and tear of everyday use

LVP is:

  • Cost-effective
  • Easy to install
  • Durable
  • Easy to maintain
  • Available in a variety of colors and design options

#2: Commercial Carpet

Commercial-grade carpet can be a viable option for flooring for high-traffic areas. 

This type of flooring is available in carpet with a tight loop pile construction or carpet tiles and:

  • Provides a layer of sound absorption
  • Offers comfort underfoot
  • Is easy to install
  • Is highly durable
  • Resists crushing and matting

#3: Polished Concrete

Polished concrete floors have gained popularity in recent years, particularly in buildings with modern and industrial-style designs. This flooring option offers: 

  • Exceptional durability
  • Extraordinary longevity
  • Resistance to scratches
  • Protection against spills 
  • Resistance to stains
  • Stunning customizable design possibilities in a variety of colors and textures

Flooring To Avoid in High-Traffic Areas

There are a few flooring options you’ll want to avoid in areas that receive heavy use. These include: 

  • Traditional carpet 
  • Low-quality vinyl or laminate
  • Hardwood

These types of flooring are not created to endure the extra measure of pressure and wear-and-tear flooring gets in high-traffic areas.

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Is Hardwood Flooring a Good Option for High-Traffic Areas?

Yes and no. 

High-quality wood can work well in high-traffic areas. 

However, wood floors are prone to dents and scratching and cost significantly more than other types of flooring. 

On the other hand, hardwood floors can be refinished, whereas when other flooring materials are worn down or damaged, they have to be replaced.

What Is the Most Cost-Effective High-Traffic Flooring Option?

Generally, vinyl is the most cost-effective option for flooring for high-traffic areas. 

In addition to being durable, vinyl flooring also:

  • Is resistant to stains, scratches, moisture
  • Holds up well under frequent foot traffic
  • Is economical
  • Is quick and easy to install

Vinyl is also comfortable and warm underfoot, making it ideal for high-traffic areas where children or pets are present.

How To Prolong the Life of Flooring in High-Traffic Areas

By its very nature, flooring for high-traffic areas is resilient and tough. But while it’s durable, there are still things you can do to extend its life, including:

  • Following care instructions
  • Using rugs and carpet runners
  • Wiping up spills immediately
  • Vacuuming or mopping regularly
  • Using furniture pads

Interior Motives Flooring: High-Traffic Flooring Experts Serving Auburn, WA, and Surrounding Areas

Family-owned by a father and son team, Interior Motives Flooring has been serving Auburn, WA, and the surrounding areas for nearly 35 years.

Our goal is to provide the level of care and attention you would expect from a small-town company, while offering the wide selection and pricing you would receive from a big box store — and our award-winning service has earned us a 5-star review rating on Google.

We provide in-home and commercial installation for:

  • Tile 
  • Vinyl 
  • Hardwood 
  • Carpet
  • Laminate

Do you still have questions about the best flooring for your high-traffic areas? 

Simply book an appointment to visit our showroom or schedule a free consultation, and we’ll come to your home to provide a custom estimate for your next project.

best flooring for high traffic areas