The perks that scratch-resistant flooring offers are seemingly priceless for those who have chaotic, on-the-go lives that never stop, complete with kids, pets, and more.
Does Fido drag his claws across your living room floor? Or do your kids throw, toss, drop, and drag things on your floors on a regular basis? Do your guests kick off their shoes all over the house?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, then scratch-resistant floors could be the answer to all of your flooring prayers.
There are so many options available today for scratch-resistant floors; there is no doubt an option for you and your family that will fit right into your finances and seems built just right for your budget.
Scratch-Resistant Flooring: The Whole Scoop
When it comes to scratch-resistant flooring, there are so many options available today that it almost overwhelms you when deciding which option is right for you and your family.
Let’s talk about the best options available for you to get the most bang for your buck with the aesthetics you want and the durability you need.
Bamboo: It’s Not Just for Pandas
One of the very best options for durability in floors is bamboo. On the Janka scale, the industry standard to test a flooring’s ability to sustain impact, bamboo actually breaks the system. The higher the score, the harder the flooring. The hardest of hardwood taps out somewhere around 3,600. Bamboo ranks at the tip-top of the scale weighing in at a score of up to 5,000.
While it is common to think of bamboo as wood, it is actually grass… mind-blowing, right? The quality of bamboo and its hardness varies. Sometimes, it’s challenging to get a real feel for the grade of particular bamboo you’ve been eyeing.
The reason is that bamboo quality can vary depending upon a factor like the time of year it was harvested, and no manufacturer’s info gets that specific.
However, whether it was harvested in the spring, summer, winter, or fall, bamboo is an excellent option if you are looking to invest in scratch-resistant flooring for your family home.
Vinyl Is Made for More Than Records
Known by the name “luxury vinyl,” these floors can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin.’ This option is loved by those who want the look of hardwood and the durability of something else. The resilience of this flooring comes from the protective layer that covers it. It is perfect for high-traffic areas stomped on by kiddos and scratched at by your loving pupper’s paws.
But, again, just to remind you, scratch-resistance does not mean scratch-proof. If you are too tough on this floor (or any floor, for that matter), then it will eventually succumb to the abuse and start looking a little sad.
Tiles That Are Made for More Than Playing Scrabble
For those of you who are looking to put wood in all the wrong places, tile can be a scratch-resistant alternative. With tiles that resemble wood so closely, its own mother would have difficulty distinguishing between the two; but tile will resist those scratches right away.
And what do you do if you scratch, break, or crack a tile? It’s simple. All you have to do is replace the damaged tile, not break your back.
But before you dive headlong into tile as your scratch-resistant flooring pick, you need to make sure your subfloor is in tip-top shape. Otherwise, your tile will crack and break, and it will continue to do that even after you replace it with a new one.
Those issues don’t go away. So, be proactive and nip that prob in the bud before it even begins.
Laminate Flooring – Is It the Answer?
Laminate flooring is probably the closest thing to natural wood you will get while still being scratch-resistant. This is because laminate floors are made from natural wood.
Because there is a little bit of wood in the laminate, you can choose a laminate that matches the exact type of wood you would use instead. What you get with a laminate that you don’t get with hardwood is scratch resistance at a low price. And everyone loves that!
Also, another point that makes laminate a real contender in this fight for acceptable scratch-resistant flooring is that laminate is good to go for the duration.
If it’s well taken care of, this stuff can last up to 30 years or more. You will probably move out before the laminate has to be replaced, so it is an excellent investment in your home.
Concrete for Your Jungle?
While it may be a bit unconventional for this list, if we are literal here, you probably can’t get much more scratch-resistant when it comes to flooring than you get with concrete. It’s a super-chic, modern addition to your home, and it’s trending like an Instagram influencer.
You can stamp it. You can stain it. You can do lots of fun, cool things to make concrete fit into your home’s decor. So, it doesn’t have to look like you have a “sidewalk” running through your house.
Though it does come with its list of cons, all of concrete’s negative points regarding being your choice for scratch-resistant flooring all come with an easy fix. Floor too cold for your taste? Try some radiant heating underfoot. Concrete makes too much noise, or it’s just too hard? Throw down some rugs to cause both issues to go bye-bye.
Tips for a Scratch-Free Scratch-Resistant Floor
So, your decision has been made, and your new floor is in. Let’s look at some of the ways you can keep your scratch-resistant floors as scratch-free as possible.
- Shoes off, please - This is an easy, cost-free way to keep the scratches on your new floors to a minimum. Heels, cleats, and dirty bottoms make shoes your floor’s mortal enemy, so simply take them off as you’re walking in.
- Felt-up your furniture - Make sure that the bottom legs of your furniture are covered with felt pads. This will stop your heavy furniture from scratching your new floors if you move it or if it moves with a bit of help from a kid or pet.
- A rug for your rug? While it is advisable to have area rugs throughout your home, they can cause more harm than good if you’re not careful. Make sure your rug can’t slide around and scuff your floor by putting anti-slip pads under your rugs.
- Give your pupper a pedi - While you can’t ask your dog to wear slippers, you can make sure that their nails are trimmed and filed regularly. This way they won’t be an addition to the things that are sure to scratch your new floor.
Scratch-Resistant Floors are an Investment in Your Family’s Future
By doing your due diligence and researching the best options for your family’s wants and needs in flooring, you are sure to choose the best scratch-resistant floors available for your budget. While you may have had your heart set on wood, you now see that there are viable alternatives that offer the same aesthetic, fit your budget, and match your family’s active lifestyle.
Though in life, “scratches happen,” choosing a flooring that offers the most resistance to your family’s lifestyle is the intelligent way to view this decision.
Flooring is a tremendous expense, and deciding the one for you and yours is nothing that should be entered into lightly. Weighing your options before you open your wallet ensures that you make an investment in your home rather than throwing your dough out the window.
With all the options that are available in flooring today, you can no doubt find the budget-friendly choice that will last your family for generations to come if you play your cards right.
Once the floors are installed, there are a few tips and tricks to follow that will keep your floors looking so fresh and so clean, clean for a long, long time. None of them should be anything you’re unfamiliar with, and the majority of them won’t set you back a cent. But doing those little things will save you some dollars when it’s all said and done.
Floors Are Forever
Remember, there’s no such thing as scratch-proof, but scratch-resistant can get pretty darn close-- especially if you do your part to ensure that your new floors are cared for in the right way.
Take pride in your new floors, treat them well, and they will give you a fantastic return for investing in them.
Sources:
4 Different Things That Make Laminate Floors a Great Investment | Lollie Shopping
What Is the Best Flooring for Dogs and Other Rambunctious House Pets? AKC
