When designing or renovating your home or commercial space, flooring decisions carry significant weight, particularly in high-traffic areas. Whether it’s a busy kitchen, a bustling hallway, or an office lobby, choosing the right flooring for these areas is essential to ensure longevity, ease of maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. Flooring in high-traffic zones must be durable enough to handle the wear and tear that comes with regular foot traffic while still offering comfort and style.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best flooring options for high-traffic areas and discuss important factors like durability, comfort, water resistance, and ease of cleaning. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various flooring materials, you can make an informed decision that suits both your design preferences and practical needs.

What Qualifies as a High-Traffic Area?

Before diving into specific flooring types, it’s essential to define what we mean by “high-traffic areas.” These are spaces in your home or business where people frequently walk, stand, or move items. As a result, these areas experience more wear, dirt buildup, and the occasional scuff or spill. Common high-traffic areas include:

• Entryways and Foyers: The entrance to your home or office sees a lot of foot traffic and often bears the brunt of outdoor dirt and moisture.
• Hallways: Hallways are frequently used passageways, especially in homes with multiple rooms or in office buildings. Their narrow design can lead to concentrated wear in specific spots.
• Kitchens: The heart of many homes, kitchens are high-traffic due to meal preparation and family gatherings, not to mention the likelihood of spills.
• Living Rooms and Family Rooms: As spaces for relaxation and entertainment, living rooms see constant use, whether from family members or visitors.
• Commercial Spaces: In offices, retail stores, or restaurants, flooring must handle heavy daily traffic, as well as the movement of furniture or equipment.

These spaces demand flooring solutions that are not only attractive but can withstand the heavy wear and tear that comes with frequent use.

Key Considerations for High-Traffic Flooring

When choosing flooring for high-traffic areas, it’s not just about looks. You’ll need to consider various practical factors to ensure your choice can withstand the demands of the space. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:

1. Durability: The flooring material needs to be tough enough to resist scratches, dents, and general wear. High-traffic areas are subject to more damage than low-traffic rooms, so it’s crucial to choose a material that can handle frequent use.
2. Ease of Cleaning: In areas where dirt, dust, and spills are common, easy maintenance is essential. Look for flooring that can be quickly swept, vacuumed, or mopped without special treatments.
3. Moisture and Stain Resistance: Spills, water, and mud are common in kitchens, entryways, and bathrooms. Choosing flooring materials that are moisture-resistant and less prone to staining will extend their lifespan.
4. Comfort: Some areas, such as kitchens and living rooms, are spaces where people stand or walk frequently. In these rooms, consider choosing flooring that offers comfort underfoot, whether through the material itself or by using a cushioned underlayment.
5. Style: High-traffic areas often serve as transition zones between rooms, so it’s important to select flooring that complements your overall interior design. The right flooring should enhance the aesthetic while maintaining practicality.
6. Cost: Durability and longevity often come at a price, but budget is always an important consideration. Some options like vinyl or laminate may offer a good balance of affordability, durability, and style, while other materials like hardwood may require a more significant investment.

The Best Flooring Options for High-Traffic Areas

With the basics covered, let’s dive into the best types of flooring for high-traffic zones. These materials have proven their resilience in busy households and commercial spaces.

1. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

Luxury vinyl is a standout option for high-traffic areas due to its impressive durability, affordability, and style flexibility. LVP and LVT come in plank and tile forms, respectively, and offer realistic designs that mimic natural materials like wood and stone.

• Durability: Made from multiple layers, luxury vinyl is built to resist wear and tear. It has a protective top layer that defends against scratches, scuffs, and dents, making it perfect for spaces like kitchens, hallways, and entryways.
• Water and Stain Resistance: LVP and LVT are waterproof, making them ideal for moisture-prone areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms. Unlike natural wood, vinyl won’t warp or stain when exposed to water or spills.
• Maintenance: Luxury vinyl is easy to clean and requires minimal upkeep. Regular sweeping or vacuuming and occasional mopping are all it takes to keep it looking new.
• Aesthetics: Modern luxury vinyl comes in a wide range of colors and textures, allowing homeowners to achieve the look of hardwood, stone, or tile without the cost or maintenance issues associated with natural materials.
• Cost: Compared to other durable options, luxury vinyl is a more budget-friendly choice, offering a great combination of resilience, style, and affordability.

2. Porcelain and Ceramic Tile

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are renowned for their hardness and durability, making them excellent choices for areas that experience heavy traffic, moisture, and frequent cleaning.

• Durability: Porcelain tile is known for being harder and denser than ceramic, which makes it more resistant to wear and moisture. Both tile options are tough enough to withstand high foot traffic without showing signs of wear, and they are highly resistant to scratching.
• Water Resistance: Tile is inherently water-resistant, making it ideal for entryways, bathrooms, and kitchens. Porcelain, in particular, has a very low water absorption rate, making it the best choice for areas that may see frequent spills or moisture.
• Maintenance: Tile flooring is very easy to maintain, as it can be swept, vacuumed, or mopped with minimal effort. Grout lines, however, may require periodic deep cleaning or sealing to prevent discoloration or mold buildup.
• Aesthetics: Tile comes in a wide variety of styles, colors, and patterns, giving you endless design options. You can create everything from classic to contemporary looks with tile, and it can even mimic natural materials like wood and stone.
• Cost: While the initial cost of porcelain or ceramic tile can be higher than some other flooring types, its durability and low maintenance make it a cost-effective choice in the long run.

3. Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring brings timeless elegance and natural beauty to any space, making it a highly sought-after choice for homeowners. While it’s durable enough for high-traffic areas, it does require a bit more maintenance than some other options.

• Durability: Solid hardwood can handle heavy foot traffic if properly maintained. However, it is more susceptible to scratches and dents, particularly in homes with pets or children. Engineered hardwood, which consists of a solid wood veneer over a plywood base, offers a bit more durability and is less prone to moisture-related issues.
• Maintenance: Hardwood floors need regular sweeping and occasional mopping with a damp cloth. You may need to refinish hardwood floors every few years to restore their appearance and address surface damage like scratches or fading.
• Aesthetics: Hardwood floors are unmatched in terms of natural beauty and warmth. They come in a wide range of wood species, colors, and finishes, allowing for flexibility in design. Hardwood can elevate the look of both traditional and modern spaces.
• Cost: Hardwood is more expensive than other flooring options, both in terms of upfront costs and long-term maintenance. However, it adds significant value to a home, and its timeless appeal makes it a worthwhile investment.

4. Laminate Flooring

Laminate is a cost-effective alternative to hardwood that still offers durability and style. Modern laminate flooring closely mimics the appearance of real wood or stone, giving homeowners the opportunity to achieve the look they want at a lower cost.

• Durability: Laminate flooring is constructed to withstand heavy use. It has a tough top layer that resists scratches, dents, and fading, making it suitable for high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
• Maintenance: Laminate floors are easy to maintain with regular sweeping or vacuuming. Spills should be cleaned up quickly to prevent damage, but overall, laminate requires less upkeep compared to hardwood.
• Aesthetics: Laminate flooring has come a long way in recent years. High-quality laminate closely resembles natural wood, stone, or tile, offering a stylish look without the high price or maintenance associated with those materials.
• Cost: Laminate flooring is a budget-friendly option that still delivers durability and a polished look, making it an excellent choice for those seeking value.

Choosing the right flooring for high-traffic areas requires a careful balance of durability, style, and maintenance. Whether you opt for luxury vinyl, tile, hardwood, or laminate, each material has its strengths that make it well-suited for busy spaces. By assessing your specific needs, budget, and design preferences, you can find the perfect flooring option that not only holds up to heavy use but also enhances the overall look and feel of your home or business. With the right flooring, your high-traffic areas can remain functional, stylish, and easy to maintain for years to come.

Summer is an ideal time to embark on interior renovation projects. With longer daylight hours and a more relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect season to update and refresh your home’s interior. Whether you’re looking to enhance your living space’s functionality, modernize your decor, or simply make your home more comfortable, there are numerous summer renovation projects to consider. Here are some exciting ideas to inspire your interior summer renovations.

1. Revamp Your Living Room

Fresh Coat of Paint

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to transform your living room is by giving it a fresh coat of paint. If you love the feeling of summer in your home year round, choose light, airy colors to brighten the space and make it feel more open. Summer hues like soft blues, greens, or warm neutrals can bring a refreshing change to your living room.

Update Furniture

Consider updating your furniture to give your living room a new look. Invest in a new sofa, add a stylish coffee table, or incorporate comfortable chairs. Opt for furniture pieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, enhancing the room’s overall appeal.

Add New Lighting

Lighting can dramatically change the ambiance of a room. Replace outdated fixtures with modern, energy-efficient options. Consider adding floor lamps, table lamps, or even installing dimmer switches to control the mood of the room. Natural light is also a great asset, so make sure your windows are clean and unobstructed.

2. Modernize Your Kitchen

Cabinet Update

If your kitchen cabinets are looking tired, consider replacing them. Cabinetry is a very important decision in the building or remodeling process. If you haven’t shopped for cabinets lately it can be very overwhelming with all of the design and finish options available since you typically don’t plan to replace your cabinets! We have taken the guesswork out of giving you the basics you need to know before shopping. Cabinets are so important because they keep you organized and they are a major design element in a room. With today’s technology, there are endless finish options and organizational options giving you the opportunity to get a product that fits your style and personality exactly- budget permitting, of course.

Upgrade Appliances

Summer is a great time to upgrade your kitchen appliances. Energy-efficient appliances not only look sleek and modern but can also help reduce your energy bills. Stainless steel appliances are a popular choice for a contemporary look.

Install a New Backsplash

A new backsplash can add a pop of color and texture to your kitchen. Choose tiles or stone that match your kitchen’s decor and are easy to clean. A stylish backsplash can become a focal point and enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. Browse our tile catalog for inspiration.

3. Refresh Your Bathroom

Replace Fixtures

Upgrading your bathroom fixtures can have a big impact. Consider replacing old faucets, showerheads, and towel bars with modern, water-efficient options. This not only improves the look of your bathroom but also enhances its functionality.

New Flooring

If your bathroom floor is outdated or showing signs of wear, summer is a great time to replace it. Choose durable, water-resistant materials like tile, stone or luxury vinyl. These options are available in various styles and can transform the look of your bathroom. Get started by checking out our flooring products on our website.

Add Storage Solutions

Clutter can make even the nicest bathroom feel cramped. Add storage solutions like shelves, cabinets, or vanity upgrades to keep everything organized. Stylish storage options can also serve as decor elements, enhancing the overall look of the room.

4. Transform Your Bedroom

Update Bedding and Curtains

Refreshing your bedding and curtains can instantly transform your bedroom. Choose light, breathable fabrics for summer and opt for colors and patterns that bring a sense of calm and relaxation. New curtains can also help control the amount of natural light entering the room.

Create a Feature Wall

A feature wall can add a focal point to your bedroom. Use wallpaper, paint, or even wood paneling to create a unique and stylish accent wall. This simple change can make a big impact on the overall design of the room.

Improve Closet Organization

A well-organized closet can make your bedroom feel more spacious and functional. Invest in closet organizers, shelves, and storage bins to keep everything in its place. A tidy closet can also make your daily routine more efficient. Your laundry room is another great place to organize as well.

5. Upgrade Your Home Office

Ergonomic Furniture

If you work from home, upgrading your office with ergonomic furniture is essential. Invest in a comfortable chair, a spacious desk, and accessories like a monitor stand or keyboard tray. Ergonomic furniture can improve your productivity and overall well-being.

Decorate with Plants

Adding plants to your home office can create a more pleasant and productive environment. Plants improve air quality and add a touch of nature to your workspace. Choose low-maintenance plants like succulents or spider plants for easy care.

Enhance Lighting

Proper lighting is crucial for a home office. Ensure you have a good mix of natural and artificial light. Task lighting, like a desk lamp, can help reduce eye strain and improve focus. Position your desk near a window to take advantage of natural light during the day.

Summer is the perfect time to focus on interior renovation projects that can transform your home. Whether you’re updating your living room, modernizing your kitchen, refreshing your bathroom, transforming your bedroom, or upgrading your home office, these projects can enhance the beauty, functionality, and comfort of your living space. By taking advantage of the longer days and warmer weather, you can make significant improvements that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Happy renovating!

On the surface, this kitchen is alright if a bit dull, but look beyond the obvious – the floor is just not a fit. The light shaker cabinets allow the black countertops and appliances to really pop. Then the flooring, with its total lack of contrast with the cabinets, removes any chance of excitement in the design.

This kitchen had another opportunity to add a surprising element with the backsplash, but instead it’s just the same white as the inside of the glass-fronted cabinet, taking the energy right out of the room. Every kitchen deserves some drama, and this one was definitely short-changed.

Instead of what we see here, imagine the space with a black and white tile floor in a checkerboard pattern and a bright backsplash in an orange and red mosaic of contemporary glass tiles. These simple changes would turn this room into something that would make guests stop and stare instead of just walking past, waving at the cook on their way to the living room.

Why not go a little wild in your kitchen? You’ll be glad you did!

Below is an interview with Design Consultant Karin Stalteri. Please read on to get to know Karin a little better!

What is your name and position with Carpets N More? Karin Stalteri – Design Consultant / Residential Contract Manager. I work in a dual role both as a design consultant meeting with customers to pick out their flooring and countertops as well as manage residential builder accounts.

How long have you been with the company? A little over 2 years

What is your favorite thing about Carpets N More? Getting to use my creativity

What do you think makes Carpets N More unique? We are able to provide our customers with great pricing because we do so much volume as opposed to some other stores and design centers that have very little work and are not able to pass on or provide their customers with these types of discounts and pricing.

Do you have a memorable customer experience that you can share? Just about every experience is memorable. I always enjoy the ones where people really care about their home and having it be something special.  I encourage people to take the time to really make smart choices that they are going to love now and for years to come.

Why should a customer choose Carpets N More over a box store or another retail store? Better pricing and customer service

What is the best part about your position? Helping people create a unique home.

If there’s one thing you could tell past, current or future customers, what would it be? Seal your grout and don’t get carpet that is too light!

What’s your favorite floor in your home and why? My entryway. I have a custom made medallion and it creates a great first impression.

If you could have any product that Carpets N More sells in your home what would it be? Antico Hardwood

If you are planning a bathroom project where you plan to put tile in a shower or in a tub surround – WAIT and read this first. We would like to show you  some easy and cost effective ways to use decorative tiles to give your shower or tub surround a custom or designer look.

First things first, let’s talk about the different types of decorative tiles:

• Listellos – these are decorative tiles that are often referred to as liners, feature strips, borders and a variety of other terms.  Listellos are usually long rather than square.
• Inserts – inserts are usually 4×4 or 6×6 decorative tiles that are sold individually and have a decorative design that indicates that they are to be used sparingly and not to cover a large area.
• Mosaics – Tile size 2”x2” and smaller are usually referred to as mosaics and are often used with different colors to create a pattern or decorative inset. Some of these smaller tiles also come in different shapes, such as hexagon.

Here are some ideas about what you can do with them!

Remember that sometimes simple is better. If you fall in love with a decorative tile, mosaic or insert – that doesn’t mean that you have to use as many as you can, everywhere you can. Another way to think about these types of tiles is as accessories or jewelry. Sure, the shower or outfit will look fine without them, but think about how much better an outfit looks when it is properly accessorized.

• Use a listello as a decorative band. These can be installed at chair rail height or around eye level.
• Create a picture frame border on the back wall of a shower or tub surround and change the inside of the picture frame to a different tile or different direction.
• Use decorative inserts to randomly scatter throughout an area. Remember that sometimes simple is better. If you fall in love with a decorative tile, mosaic or insert – that doesn’t mean that you have to use as many as you can, everywhere you can.
• Mosaics can be used in many different ways. Mosaics usually come on a mesh-mounted sheet for easier installation. These sheets can be cut into different size strips, squares or any shape you can imagine. You can really use your imagination when it comes to mosaics as to how they can be applied. Unlike listellos and inserts, mosaics can be used in large quantities for drama and effect.

These are just a few ideas of how you can use decorative tiles to dress up an area or give it a designer look. Feel free to come by our showroom and give us more detail about your project so we can find the best way to use decorative tiles in your project!

If you are planning a bathroom project where you plan to put tile in a shower or in a tub surround – WAIT and read this first. We would like to show you  some easy and cost effective ways to use decorative tiles to give your shower or tub surround a custom or designer look.

First things first, let’s talk about the different types of decorative tiles:

• Listellos – these are decorative tiles that are often referred to as liners, feature strips, borders and a variety of other terms.  Listellos are usually long rather than square.
• Inserts – inserts are usually 4×4 or 6×6 decorative tiles that are sold individually and have a decorative design that indicates that they are to be used sparingly and not to cover a large area.
• Mosaics – Tile size 2”x2” and smaller are usually referred to as mosaics and are often used with different colors to create a pattern or decorative inset. Some of these smaller tiles also come in different shapes, such as hexagon.

Here are some ideas about what you can do with them!

Remember that sometimes simple is better. If you fall in love with a decorative tile, mosaic or insert – that doesn’t mean that you have to use as many as you can, everywhere you can. Another way to think about these types of tiles is as accessories or jewelry. Sure, the shower or outfit will look fine without them, but think about how much better an outfit looks when it is properly accessorized.

• Use a listello as a decorative band. These can be installed at chair rail height or around eye level.
• Create a picture frame border on the back wall of a shower or tub surround and change the inside of the picture frame to a different tile or different direction.
• Use decorative inserts to randomly scatter throughout an area. Remember that sometimes simple is better. If you fall in love with a decorative tile, mosaic or insert – that doesn’t mean that you have to use as many as you can, everywhere you can.
• Mosaics can be used in many different ways. Mosaics usually come on a mesh-mounted sheet for easier installation. These sheets can be cut into different size strips, squares or any shape you can imagine. You can really use your imagination when it comes to mosaics as to how they can be applied. Unlike listellos and inserts, mosaics can be used in large quantities for drama and effect.

These are just a few ideas of how you can use decorative tiles to dress up an area or give it a designer look. Feel free to come by our showroom and give us more detail about your project so we can find the best way to use decorative tiles in your project!

Reader Question:

What is the appropriate size grout joint width for rectified tiles?

Answer:

This question was submitted by Stuart Harris in the Las Vegas Craig Showroom and answered with support from Dal Tile.

Rectified tiles continue to increase in popularity, particularly in the commercial arena. For years, the
industry and Dal-Tile have recommended that Rectified tiles can be installed with a 1/16” grout joint.
However, installations have become more time consuming and difficult to ensure compliant installations when attempting to install a Rectified tile with a 1/16” grout
joint. In response, the new TCNA (Tile Council of North America) Handbook addresses this issue by
stating that “the actual grout joint size shall be at least 3 times the actual variation of
facial dimensions of the tile.” To simplify: Rectified tiles, regardless of size, shall have a grout joint
width no less than 1/8”.

Thanks, Stuart and Dal Tile!