Why is the wear-layer so important for vinyl and waterproof floors? Once the wear-layer wears through, the paper pattern will be damaged, and the floor will need replacement. So the thicker the wear-layer, the longer your floors will last and look great. Vinyl and waterproof flooring brands will often make a big deal about how durable their products are. They will mention their fancy coatings, their lifetime warranties, their patent-pending constructions. But at the end of the day, once you understand how this type of flooring is constructed, it becomes clear there is only one spec that really matters: the wear-layer. Once the wear-layer wears through, the paper pattern will be damaged, and the floor will need replacement. So the thicker the wear-layer, the longer your floors will last and look great. If durability is a key criteria for you (and if you are opting for vinyl over laminate or wood, then it probably is), you could stop reading this post and already know 90% of what you need to know to make an informed purchase. A thicker wear-layer means a longer lasting floor.

Vinyl and waterproof floors are very durable, but no floor is completely indestructible.

Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are made from the same basic substances: clay, quartz, ferrous sand materials, and water. The difference between porcelain tile and regular ceramic tile is that the clay used in porcelain tile is more refined and purified and often contains more of ground stone components. As a result, porcelain tiles are denser than standard ceramic tiles. This makes porcelain tiles more durable and ideal for harsher applications such as flooring. Additionally, because of the higher density, porcelain tiles are less likely to absorb moisture, which makes them more resistant to staining and cracking. This is also why porcelain tiles are ideal for outdoor applications, especially in areas that are susceptible to harsher weather conditions such as freezing.

When shopping for tile a good rule of thumb to follow in determining whether a tile is ceramic or porcelain is to turn it over. If the underside of the tile is terracotta red in color, it's likely ceramic, and if the underside is grey or white in color, it's likely porcelain.

Solid hardwood flooring is produced as a long solid piece of wood, as the name implies. It is typically milled in 3/4" thick planks. Because it is a solid piece of wood, hardwood flooring can be sanded and refinished a number of times. However, because it is natural solid wood, it is susceptible to expansion and contraction with changes in weather and humidity. Solid hardwood flooring is installed over plywood or OSB but should not be installed over concrete.

Engineered wood flooring is composed of 3 to 5 separate layers of wood. The layers are stacked with the wood grain in alternating directions, then glued under heat and pressure, resulting in a very strong product. Engineered wood flooring is generally between 1/4" to 1/2" thick and because of the way it is produced, it does not expand and contract with changes in weather as solid hardwood does. This makes engineered hardwood flooring suitable for installation over concrete in addition to other rooms and floors.

Any discoloration or warping of your wood flooring could be a sign of water intrusion and/or moisture damage and should be addressed immediately. Sufficient moisture testing and documentation is very important BEFORE installing your wood flooring as this type of issue is often not covered by any warranty.

Nylon carpet has some great things going for it: it is strongly resistant to insects, mold, mildew, rot, stains, and abrasions. Nylon typically maintains its fiber height (i.e., it doesn’t flatten from traffic and weight), it’s easy to maintain and it holds its color very well. Due to these positives, nylon is suitable for high-traffic areas. Nylon is moderately priced, so it is within many people’s budgets. It isn’t quite as expensive as wool, but it’s more expensive than polyester and polypropylene.

Polyester is synthetic carpet fiber that is easy to clean and quite durable. Polyester carpet is often very luxurious and soft, but it may not be well suited to high traffic applications. Overall polyester is able to be crafted into carpets of vibrant colors with fibers that are quite resistant to water soluble stains. Polyester carpet is a soft, budget-friendly choice.

All manufacturers have specific care instructions in order for their warranties to be valid. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific warranty and care information for your selection as a "Lifetime Warranty" may not be all encompassing.