25 Jul Best Scratch Resistant Flooring

Families with children and pets know how quickly scratches can mar the finish of the floor. Children’s toys, pet nails, and broken objects can quickly take a toll on flooring. Some types of materials are better at standing up to the many incidents that can occur and present challenges to keeping floors looking good.

No flooring is completely scratch proof, but some are less likely to sustain damage or show it. Over the long-term, it can be helpful to choose patterns and designs in which any scratching that occurs will blend in. For the least amount of stress, the following materials offer the best scratch-resistant options.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are good solutions that also provide water and stain resistance. High-end marble and granite are scratch-resistant, but will require a coat of sealer for protection against moisture and staining. Each type is easy to keep clean, but aren’t comfortable for children, the elderly, and pets since they’re cold and very hard.

An often overlooked flooring material that resists scratches is cork. Lighter shades are less likely to show any scratch marks. It also has antimicrobial properties, is beneficial for those with allergies, and it absorbs sound making it useful when children or pets get loud. Another option for scratch resistance, durability, and stain resistance is bamboo.

Luxury vinyl is one of the most affordable flooring choices and is available in a myriad of colors, patterns, designs and textures. It’s highly durable, emulates the look of tile, stone, or hardwood and offered in tiles or planks. It’s easy to clean and water-resistant. The manufacturing process creates designs and patterns throughout the entire material, rather than just on the surface, so scratches tend to blend in.

The ultimate choice will depend on a variety of factors that includes the available budget and material preferences. Lifestyle, cleaning and maintenance requirements, any allergies, and the home’s existing interior design will all be elements to consider when choosing the best scratch-resistant flooring for any home.