Important Considerations When Choosing Flooring

When it comes to choosing flooring for your home or business, there are many options available on the market. One decision that you will need to make is whether to go with flooring that has a wear layer or through-body color. While wear-layer flooring may seem like the obvious choice, there are actually several pitfalls that come with it. In this blog post, we will explore these pitfalls and the benefits of flooring with through-body color.

First, let's define what we mean by wear layer and through-body color. Wear-layer flooring is made up of layers, with a thin top layer that is designed to withstand wear and tear. LVT and LVP are examples of wear layer flooring. Through-body color flooring, on the other hand, is made up of a single layer, with the color running throughout the entire thickness of the material. Wood, Cork, VCT, and real linoleum, such as Forbo, are examples of through-body color flooring.

One of the biggest pitfalls of wear-layer flooring is that the top layer can wear away over time, leaving the underlying layer exposed. This can result in a patchy and unsightly appearance and may require the entire flooring to be replaced. With low-quality flooring, this can happen within only a few years.

Another pitfall of wear layer flooring is that it may not be able to withstand heavy foot traffic, pets and kids. If the wear layer is too thin or of poor quality, it may wear away quickly, leaving the underlying layer exposed.

Finally, wear-layer flooring can be harmful to the environment. The production process for wear layer flooring typically involves the use of chemicals and adhesives, which can release harmful pollutants into the environment. Additionally, wear layer flooring is typically not recyclable, meaning it will end up in landfills once it has reached the end of its life. Given that most wear layer flooring won’t last longer than a decade in use, but will take centuries to decompose, the product will spend more time in a landfill than as flooring.

In contrast, flooring with through-body color offers several benefits. First and foremost, through-body color flooring is much more durable than wear-layer flooring. Because the color runs throughout the entire thickness of the material, it is much less likely to wear away over time. This means that through-body color flooring can withstand heavy foot traffic and will not require frequent replacement.

In addition to being more durable, through-body color flooring is also more environmentally friendly. Because it does not require a wear layer, the production process is typically less harmful to the environment. Additionally, through-body color flooring is more likely to be recyclable, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

Finally, through-body color flooring offers a more consistent appearance. Because the color runs throughout the entire thickness of the material, there is no risk of the top layer wearing away and leaving a patchy appearance. This can be particularly important in high-traffic settings where enduring appearance is key.

While wear-layer flooring may seem like a good choice, it has several pitfalls that make it less than ideal. Flooring with through-body color offers several benefits, including greater durability, environmental friendliness, and a more consistent appearance. If you are in the market for new flooring, it is definitely worth considering the benefits of through-body color flooring.