Floors—you can walk all over them but you should respect them. They take a beating each and every day and while some floors may look nicer than others, it’s important to remember that even the nicest of floors can’t last forever. Different materials have different lifespans depending on the material and your level of care. Check out some common flooring types and their various lifespans below.
How long can flooring last?
The lifespan of your home’s flooring can come down to a number of different factors—climate, wear-and-tear, maintenance, material, etc. When deciding which flooring to go with for your home, it’s always important to compare and contrast what’s available. Here are some popular flooring options and how their lifespans stack up to one another.
Hardwood floors
Hardwood floors are one of the more expensive options out there. But solid hardwood flooring can last anywhere between 30 to 100 years if well maintained. Harder woods like oak or cherry can last a century or more if properly sealed and cared for. Hardwood’s longevity comes from the fact that you can refinish them rather than just replacing them.
Engineered wood floors
Engineered hardwood is a type that features a hardwood top layer glued to a base layer that often consists of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). When installed it looks and feels like solid hardwood, but it doesn’t last as long. Engineered wood floors last anywhere between 20 to 30 years or longer, which is still longer than other types of flooring and carpet.
Laminate floors
If you want a wood-look floor but don’t want to pay for real wood, laminate can work very well for you. They come with a study plywood core topped with representations of wood, stone, or tile, and a protective top layer. Laminate flooring can last up to 30 years.
Vinyl floors
Vinyl planks and tiles are pretty popular right now. They’re similar to laminate flooring except that they have a strong vinyl layer for extra durability. Vinyl flooring can last between 10 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the flooring.
Ceramic tile
Ceramic tile floors are affordable and easy to clean. They have incredibly long lifespans—ceramic tile can last between 75 to 100 years with proper maintenance and cleaning.
Porcelain tile
Porcelain is scratch and stain-resistant and slightly more durable than ceramic tiles are. With proper care, porcelain tile flooring can last 60 years or more.
Carpet
Carpet is the softest and warmest of the flooring materials. While it can accumulate stains and hold in dirt, with deep cleaning, certain carpet types can last up to 15 years.
Best flooring for longevity
When thinking of longevity, the numbers above are important, but you also have to think about other factors—foot traffic, climate, maintenance, etc. The best way to calculate all of this information is to partner with professionals who can guide you through the process to the right solution. At Flohr, we have over 20 years of experience in supplying and installing flooring and flooring related products across Austin. Give us a call today to schedule your FREE private consultation and estimate.
