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Flooring costs a lot of money. Most Spokane homeowners want floors that last. But options range from $2 to over $15 per square foot. How do you know which material holds up best?
This guide shows which floors last longest. We compare vinyl, hardwood, waterproof hardwood, and laminate. You'll see how they perform in real homes. We focus on what works in Spokane.
We'll compare how long four popular materials last. You'll learn what makes floors wear out fast. We help you pick the best option for your home. Maybe you track mud from South Hill trails. Or maybe you have a busy house in the Valley. Either way, we've got answers.
Solid hardwood lasts 30 to 100+ years if you refinish it. Luxury vinyl plank lasts 20 to 25 years. Waterproof engineered hardwood goes 20 to 30 years. Good laminate runs 15 to 25 years.
Solid hardwood wins because you can sand it down many times. Each time you refinish it, the floor looks new again. But "longest lasting" doesn't always mean "best choice."
Vinyl beats hardwood in wet areas like basements and bathrooms. Laminate gives you durability without spending as much. Your home's traffic, moisture, and how you clean matter just as much as the floor material.
Solid hardwood lasts longer than any other floor. You can expect 30 to 100+ years with good care. The trick is refinishing. Hardwood can be sanded down 4 to 10 times. This depends on how thick the planks are. Every refinishing makes the floor look brand new.
Not all hardwood works the same. The Janka hardness scale measures how tough wood is. Oak, maple, and hickory score highest. Oak rates 1290 on the scale. Maple hits 1450. Hickory tops them all at 1820.
Hardwood has some limits. Don't use it in full bathrooms or basements. Skip it anywhere water shows up often. You need to watch humidity levels. This matters during Spokane's dry summers. Without humidity control, hardwood can gap or warp.
Good luxury vinyl plank lasts 20 to 25 years. Look for WPC or SPC core construction. These last as long as many hardwood floors. They cost less and need less work to maintain.
The wear layer decides how long vinyl lasts. You need at least 12-mil thickness for homes. Got pets or kids? Pick 20-mil or thicker. The wear layer stops scratches, scuffs, and daily damage.
Vinyl beats hardwood in several ways. It's 100% waterproof. You can use it in bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. It fights scratches better than most wood floors. Cleaning is easy—just sweep and mop.
We tell Spokane families with dogs to use LVP. The scratch resistance holds up great against dog claws. Cleanup takes no time at all.
What's the catch? You can't refinish vinyl like hardwood. Once the wear layer wears through, you replace the whole floor. But modern designs look just like real wood grain and stone. You don't give up good looks for toughness.
Waterproof engineered hardwood lasts 20 to 30 years. You can refinish it 1 to 3 times. How many times depends on the veneer thickness. This option gives you real wood looks with better moisture protection.
Engineered hardwood uses a real wood top layer. The veneer is usually 2 to 6mm thick. It sits on top of a moisture-resistant plywood or HDF core. You get authentic wood appearance. It stays more stable than solid hardwood.
Some products say "waterproof." Others say "water-resistant." Here's the difference: waterproof engineered products use special coatings. The cores handle moisture better too. But don't leave standing water on them for hours. They're not invincible like vinyl.
We tell people to use waterproof engineered hardwood in kitchens and laundry rooms. It works in above-grade basements too. These spaces need real wood looks but also moisture protection. It handles spills and humidity better than solid hardwood.
Engineered hardwood costs 15 to 30% less than solid hardwood. It costs more than laminate. But you get a real wood surface you can refinish.
Quality laminate flooring lasts 15 to 25 years. Look for AC3 to AC5 ratings. Laminate is a real long-term choice, not a cheap temporary fix.
The AC rating shows how tough your laminate will be:
Laminate fights scratches and dents as well as hardwood. Sometimes better. It won't fade from sunlight. The protective top layer shields the design from daily wear.
Many Spokane homeowners get surprised when we show them modern laminate. It's way better than the hollow-sounding floors from 20 years ago. Today's products look and feel close to real wood or stone.
Laminate has two main problems. First, you can't refinish it. Once the surface wears through, you need to replace it. Second, water can damage it if moisture gets into the seams. Swelling at the joints is the biggest failure point. It doesn't add as much resale value as real wood. But it performs well for the price.
The material matters. But these six things decide if your floor reaches maximum lifespan or fails early.
Entryways and hallways wear out 2 to 3 times faster than other spots. Put area rugs at doorways and busy zones. They protect your floor and make it last much longer.
Even tough floors fail in damp basements. They fail in bathrooms without good ventilation. You need proper subfloor prep. The National Wood Flooring Association says testing and preparing your subfloor stops most moisture problems. Test your subfloor moisture before installation. Fix any moisture issues first.
Sweeping and vacuuming regularly stops grit damage. Dirt and sand work like sandpaper under your feet. Wrong cleaning products can cancel your warranty. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and care.
Most flooring failures come from bad installation, not bad materials. Poor installation causes gaps, buckling, squeaks, and early wear. Professional installation protects what you paid for.
Uneven subfloors cause early wear, cracking, or warping. Moisture-damaged subfloors do the same. Your installer should check if it's level. They should verify it's structurally sound. Small subfloor problems turn into big problems on your finished floor.
Pet nails scratch floors over time. Urine accidents seep into seams. They damage the subfloor underneath. Pet hair and dander build up in cracks. If you have pets, pick flooring that resists scratches and moisture. Vinyl and laminate handle pet wear better than most hardwood.
Picking durable flooring means matching the right material to your situation. Here's how to decide.
Basements and bathrooms need vinyl. These rooms have constant moisture. Living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas work well with hardwood or laminate. Kitchens do best with waterproof engineered hardwood or vinyl. Match your flooring to the moisture it will face.
Pets and kids point you toward vinyl or laminate. Both handle scratches, spills, and heavy use. If resale value matters most, pick hardwood. It adds more to your home's value than other options. Watching your budget? Consider quality laminate. You get durability without the high price.
Spokane has low humidity in summer. Hardwood needs humidification to prevent gaps during dry months. Our winters are wet and muddy. Entry flooring takes a beating. Pick materials that handle moisture at high-traffic entries. Vinyl and waterproof options work best there.
Flooring looks different in your lighting than in a showroom. Take samples home before deciding. Check how the color and texture look in your space. Test the thickness. See how it feels underfoot.
Professional installation and subfloor checks help you hit those maximum lifespan numbers. We look at your subfloor condition before recommending materials. Our installers prepare the surface right. This attention stops the most common causes of early failure.
Ready to invest in flooring that lasts? Browse our top-rated vinyl, hardwood, and laminate collections in person at our Spokane showroom. Or call us at (509) 866-6776 for an assessment.
Let one of our experts help you find the perfect floor!
Spokane - 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1
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