What flooring is best for heavy traffic?

The best floor covering for high traffic areas is one that combines durability, ease of maintenance, and resistance to wear. Laminate flooring is often considered one of the best options due to its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic while maintaining its appearance over time. For spaces like kitchens, the best flooring for high traffic kitchen areas would need to be moisture-resistant, and laminate fits this requirement perfectly. Additionally, if you prefer hardwood, the best hardwood flooring for high traffic areas should be a durable species, like oak or maple, with proper finishing to resist scratches and dents.

Is laminate flooring good for high traffic areas?

Yes, laminate flooring is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. It is highly durable and resistant to scratches, stains, and fading, making it one of the best wood flooring for high traffic areas. If you are looking to add color or protection to existing wood floors in high-traffic areas, using the best wood floor paint for high traffic areas can provide extra durability and a refreshed look. Laminate flooring also offers a cost-effective and stylish alternative to hardwood in spaces that experience heavy foot traffic.

Best Laminate Flooring for High-Traffic Areas: Top Choices

The kids are racing around the house, running up and down the stairs at full speed, and your energetic pet single-handedly increases the foot traffic in your home. Suddenly, you spill some water in the kitchen and then, here come the guests. Which flooring can withstand such heavy traffic, along with spills and scratches that can easily be removed?

Well, there’s only one flooring that can successfully win this challenge: Laminate! With its unmatched durability, beauty, and unique qualities,

Let’s take a closer look to see what factors make laminate the best flooring for high-traffic areas.

When it comes to selecting the best flooring for high traffic areas, laminate stands out for its ability to resist the wear and tear that comes with daily foot traffic. Whether you’re considering flooring for high traffic areas in your home or a commercial space, laminate offers an ideal solution due to its affordability and strength. It’s also an excellent choice for homes with pets, as it provides the best flooring for high traffic areas and pets, with scratch-resistant surfaces that are easy to clean. Laminate flooring can handle spills, scratches, and high levels of activity, making it a smart option for busy kitchens, hallways, or even high-traffic commercial areas.

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Why Laminate Flooring is Suitable for High-Traffic Areas

The areas in your home or business with more foot traffic/activity are known as high-traffic areas. These include stairs, kitchens, entryways, living rooms and hallways. Unlike solid wood, which is made from a single piece of real wood, Laminate is made from several layers;

The bottom moisture-resistant layer sits near the subfloor, followed by the core layer of MDF or HDF, the design layer mimicking wood, stone, or marble, and the top wear layer, which provides moisture and scratch resistance.

The layers of Laminate are made to be resilient and withstand these pressures without fading. With good maintenance, the average laminate lifespan is between 15 and 25 years.

Laminate is one of the best floor coverings for high-traffic areas and the best flooring for high-traffic commercial areas. Whether you are considering the best flooring for high-traffic kitchen areas or looking for durable flooring options for other busy spaces, laminate offers a practical and stylish solution.

Comparing Laminate to Other Flooring Options for High-Traffic Areas

Of course, there are other flooring options for your high-traffic areas, but what features make the laminate the best one compared to others?

When considering the best hardwood flooring for high-traffic areas, hardwood can be prone to scratches and dents, whereas laminate is more durable and resistant to wear. The best wood floor paint for high-traffic areas might improve wood floors, but laminate needs no frequent touch-ups. If you’re looking for the best wood flooring for high-traffic areas, laminate offers the same aesthetic as wood but with added durability, moisture resistance, and less maintenance.

Laminate vs. Luxury Vinyl

Both flooring options have moisture resistance, are easy to install, and give the space a luxurious look. But Luxury Vinyl offers less durability and does not withstand heavy traffic as well as laminate.

Laminate vs. Solid Wood

Compared to solid wood, laminate is less durable against severe abrasions and doesn’t offer a sense of natural warmth.

But, it is more resistant to stains and moisture and is easy to install. More than that, laminate is budget-friendly compared to solid wood. If you’re looking for a more durable and timeless option, consider exploring Solid Wood flooring for your high-traffic areas.

This table helps you compare the 3 flooring options better.

Features	Laminate	Luxury Vinyl	Solid Wood
Price	Affordable	Mid-range	Expensive
Durability	Moderate to High	High	Very High
Scratch Resistance	Good	Good	Good
Water Resistance	Good	Excellent	Poor
Installation	Easy (Click-lock system)	Easy (Glue-down, click-lock)	Requires professional installation
Maintenance	Low (requires occasional cleaning)	Low (requires occasional cleaning)	High (needs refinishing and regular maintenance)
Best for High Traffic Areas	Yes	Yes	Yes
Suitable for Moisture-Prone Areas	No	Yes	No

Choosing Laminate for High Traffic Areas

When you want to choose the best laminate for high-traffic areas, several factors should be kept in mind.

Whether you’re looking for the best floor paint for high traffic areas or simply wondering what is the best flooring for high traffic areas, laminate provides an excellent solution due to its durability, scratch resistance, and ease of maintenance.

Abrasion Class (AC) Rating

The Abrasion Criteria (AC) indicates how much the flooring can resist abrasion, impact, stains, and burns. Regarding high-traffic areas, the AC rating should be at least AC3 for homes and AC4 or AC5 for commercial spaces to ensure durability and compatibility with heavier foot traffic. You can find AC4 Laminate Flooring in our showroom.

Thickness of the Planks

Laminate flooring comes in different thicknesses. The thicker the laminate, the better the sound insulation and the more durable it feels. It is also a great alternative to solid wood.

A thickness of 10 mm and above is considered ideal for high-traffic areas. Thicker laminate stays firm on the ground, while thinner laminate may have a spring-like feel over time.

Water and Moisture Resistance

Water and moisture resistance is one of the most important factors when choosing Laminate flooring. The wear layer should be moisture-resistant enough to protect the flooring when you enter your home with a wet umbrella or when kids run around with damp feet. A waterproof laminate flooring prevents water from penetrating the inner layers, reducing the risk of swelling or damage over time.

best flooring for high traffic areas and pets

Top Laminate Flooring Options for High-Traffic Areas

Here is the top AC5 Laminate flooring option you can consider for your high-traffic areas:

Craft 12 mm Malmo Herringbone AC5 Laminate Flooring

Malmo Herringbone laminate flooring, with AC5 core and 12 mm thickness, offers a sturdy feel under your feet that matches both contemporary and classic interior styles. With its waxed joints, you can select it for the kitchen or bathroom with peace of mind.

Craft 12 mm Helsinki Herringbone AC5 Laminate Flooring

Craft 12 mm Helsinki Herringbone AC5 Laminate offers you enough waterproof and abrasion-resistant capabilities to safely use it in high-traffic areas with a risk of moisture. With stylish and timeless herringbone patterns, you can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your place and ensure durability.

Craft 12 mm Bergen Herringbone AC5 Laminate Flooring

Another luxury Scandinavian style for laminate flooring is Craft 12 mm Bergen Herringbone AC5 Laminate. It is the best choice for high-traffic areas, and with an AC5 score, you can easily install it using a floating method without worrying about water resistance.

Cambridge 12 mm Nude Oak AC5 Laminate Flooring

The Cambridge 12 mm Nude Oak AC5 Laminate Flooring is a combination of the aesthetic appeal of natural hardwood with the water-resistance and toughness of Laminate. With DIY-friendly installation, it is an affordable, durable and stylish choice for modern interiors.

Laminate vs. Other Flooring Types: Durability and Impact Resistance

When it comes to durability and impact resistance, high traffic laminate flooring is a top contender. It outperforms many options, including hardwood, due to its multi-layer construction. For those seeking the best laminate flooring for high traffic areas, laminate offers exceptional scratch and moisture resistance. In comparison to other options, laminate often provides the best floor finish for high traffic areas, maintaining its appearance for years. Overall, laminate is considered the best type of flooring for high traffic areas, combining durability, cost-effectiveness, and easy maintenance.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Proper installation and regular maintenance are key to protecting laminate flooring, ensuring its appearance and durability, helping it to last much longer.

Vacuuming or sweeping regularly can prevent the accumulation of dust and small particles that cause scratches.
Don’t use steam cleaners because excessive moisture can damage the surface. Also, avoid harsh chemicals like ammonia or bleach. Try a damp (not wet) microfiber towel to remove stubborn stains and dirt.
During installation, ensure there is a gap of 8 to 12 mm around walls and corners to allow for expansion and contraction.
For Laminate, using underlayment can help reduce noise, enhance comfort, and improve durability.
Avoid dragging objects on the laminate, use protective pads under furniture and if you have direct sunlight shining on your flooring, use curtains or a rug to prevent its color from fading.

To maintain the beauty and durability of your laminate flooring, follow the installation and maintenance tips above. For more information on cleaning laminate floors in high-traffic areas, check out our article!

How to Install Laminate Flooring in High-Traffic Areas

Installing high traffic laminate flooring in busy areas requires careful preparation. Start by selecting the best flooring for high traffic areas, ensuring it can withstand wear and tear. For high traffic commercial areas, laminate offers an excellent solution due to its durability and low maintenance. Proper subfloor preparation, moisture barrier installation, and using the right tools will ensure that your laminate flooring lasts for years, even in high-traffic spaces.

Conclusion

Laminate flooring, with its tempting features, including affordability, beauty, and moisture resistance, has a high rank among the best flooring for high-traffic areas. From kids to pets and moisture, it is worry-proof and can withstand it all with proper maintenance. At Flooring Surgeons, we provide the best quality laminate flooring with various colors, textures, and patterns that can help you choose the perfect style to complement your space.

Whether you’re upgrading your home or outfitting a high-traffic commercial space, laminate offers a versatile, durable, and stylish solution that lasts. With its combination of practicality and aesthetic appeal, laminate flooring continues to be the go-to choice for areas where both beauty and resilience are a must. Choose laminate today and enjoy a long-lasting, hassle-free flooring option that stands the test of time.

Darya

Darya is a contributor at Flooring Surgeons, sharing insights and expertise through published articles.

Best Laminate flooring for high-traffic areas