Best Low-Maintenance Flooring

Keeping your floors looking sparkling and inviting takes dedication and cleaning, but low-maintenance floors cut the trouble in half. But with the many options out there, picking the best one for you can be a headache. In this article, we walk you through the best low-maintenance flooring options and provide tips for maintaining them.

What Makes Flooring Low-Maintenance?

Low-maintenance floors require minimal effort to clean and are famous for being resistant to serious stains, making them the ideal choice for busy households. Most only need regular sweeping and mopping with mild soap and water. You won't have to worry about sealing, waxing or polishing low-maintenance floors. Additionally, they are generally very durable and last a long time. While some carpets require less maintenance than others, most low-maintenance flooring is often a hard surface.

Top Low-Maintenance Flooring Options

Here are some of the most popular low-maintenance floors.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and plank (LVP) floors are rugged and stylish. This type of flooring has become famous for its visual similarities to natural wood at half the cost. It is durable, easy to maintain and water-resistant, making it an excellent choice for busy households with children and pets. It also feels softer on your feet compared to tiles or hardwood floors. It is pretty straightforward to install, making it an excellent option for DIY lovers.

You do not need anything special to clean LVT floors. All you need to do is remove any loose debris with a broom or vacuum and mop with warm water.

They are great for bathrooms, basements and laundry rooms as they are highly resistant to water spills and flooding. For cleaning, sweep or vacuum the floor first to get rid of any dirt. Then, use warm water with dish soap for regular cleaning. Avoid strong chemicals or scratchy tools, which can damage the vinyl.

Tile Flooring

One of the best low-maintenance flooring options is tile. It is perfect for areas in the home with lots of moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. It is available in ceramic, porcelain and natural stone varieties and comes in a wide range of colors, textures and patterns, so it is easy to find one that matches your home's design.

Tiles are also easy to maintain and resistant to scratches and stains. However, unlike LVTs, they are cold and hard underneath your feet, which can be uncomfortable after standing for long periods. They are also more challenging to install and often more expensive than LVT, especially if you want complex designs.

These tiles are usually made from natural resources like minerals and natural clay. Clay may be locally sourced, reducing the need for transport and thus helping the environment. Porcelain is a ceramic tile option made from more refined clay fired at high temperatures, which can make the tile denser and less porous.

Porcelain tiles are great for kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms and laundry rooms, as they're a natural fit for high-traffic areas in the household. Overall, tile flooring is low-maintenance. To keep them clean, start by sweeping or vacuuming to clear them of loose dirt. Then, mop with mild soap and warm water, and rinse off any leftover soap. You can use tile cleaners and stiff brushes to clean stubborn stains.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is one of the easiest floors to clean, and it looks good without breaking the bank. It is popular because it is also durable, easy to install, stylish, hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. They make an excellent choice for high-traffic areas in homes with pets. All you have to do is clean with a vacuum and a damp mop. It is made from synthetic materials and typically consists of a core layer, a wear layer and a decorative layer. Furthermore, the new technologies present in laminate flooring make them look and feel more natural. Plus, it offers various styles and designs that suit different home decor. 

Its dense fiberboard, topped with an image sealed under clear plastic, makes it an affordable choice. Laminate floors work well in basements with no leaks or continuous moisture on the floor or walls. If you want the most convincing look, choose a product with wide planks that simulate individual floorboards.

Engineered Flooring

Engineered flooring looks like solid wood but consists of several layers, generally a top layer of polished wood like oak or maple applied over a plywood-like core. It has lots of advantages. For one, it costs less than real hardwood and gives you more options.

Engineered hardwood floors are less prone to seasonal changes because of their stable structure. Installation over a concrete floor is possible for some types. The low profile of engineered flooring makes it possible to install over existing surfaces, which reduces labor and material costs. Engineered floors are great for dining, living and family rooms. When cleaning engineered hardwood floors, use gentle cleaning products and avoid wet mopping.

Tips for Maintaining Low-Maintenance Floors

Living in a house with clean floors equals peace of mind. Follow these tips to preserve your flooring's aesthetic and durability and maintain low-maintenance floors.

• Clean spills immediately: Spills will always happen. The key to keeping floors clean and sparkling is addressing spills immediately to prevent permanent stains and water damage.
• Vacuum or sweep regularly: Regular vacuuming or sweeping is crucial for removing loose dirt that can cause wear and scratches on the floor. Use a soft bristle attachment to protect the floor from damage.
• Use doormats: By placing doormats at the entry, you prevent dirt from entering your home. This simple step reduces the amount of dirt and scratches on your floors.
• Spot clean with vinegar: For cleaning and stains, try a combination of white vinegar and hot water to clean the affected areas.

Shop Low-Maintenance Floors at Carpet & Tile Mart

If you are ready to transform your home and give it an elevated look and feel, consider our wide range of low-maintenance floors. With over 55 years in this business, we are a family-run business that prides itself on giving our customers the best flooring options, no matter what kind they are after. Carpet & Tile Mart makes it easy to find the best option for you. Visit one of our stores near you, or shop online today!

Links:

https://shop.carpetmart.com/luxury-vinyl-flooring

https://shop.carpetmart.com/tile/ 

https://shop.carpetmart.com/tile/porcelain/

https://shop.carpetmart.com/laminate/

https://shop.carpetmart.com/blog/engineered-vs-solid-hardwood-floors/

https://shop.carpetmart.com/store-locator/