Flooring for a hallway
11 practical and stylish solutions |
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(Image credit: Future)
Choosing hallway flooring ideas is an important decision to make. As the entrance and exit to our homes, as well as connecting spaces, hallways are high traffic areas so whatever type of flooring you choose must be hard-wearing and durable.
Whilst practically may be the priority, with so many hallway flooring materials to choose from there's no need to compromise of aesthetics. The hallway floor is a brilliant way to add personality, color and pattern to your home, setting the tone for the rest of your home. In fact, as areas that we are only in for a short amount of time the hallway makes a brilliant place to be bold with decorating.
To help you get inspired we've rounded up a selection of different flooring looks and materials to add to your list of hallway ideas, along with some advice from the experts.
Hallway flooring ideas
With so many hallway flooring ideas to choose from, making a decision can be daunting, plus, flooring is not easy to change once laid, so this makes getting it right even more important. Be sure to do your research and to call in plenty of samples before you commit.
Hard surfaces such as stone, wood (both solid boards and engineered) ceramic tiles, encaustic tiles and low pile carpets are all durable, hardwearing options suitable for hallways, yet each comes with its own unique properties suited to different situations, so be sure to examine exactly how you use the space and how you want it to function.
As the space in which guests first enter into your home, it's important that hallways are inviting and welcoming and that they set the tone for the personality of your home. Flooring can play a huge role in this, having a big impact on the look and feel of the space with so many designs to choose from there's guaranteed to be a look to suit all tastes from laid-back, rustic stone to bold and playful glazed ceramic tiles.
(Image credit: Hám Interiors / Alexander James)
If you have a large hallway why not make a statement with a luxurious chequerboard floor of polished stone tiles? The floor is a brilliant surface to create a decorative focal point in a hallway as it adds interest whilst keeping the walls bright, open and inviting for guests.
‘A classic stone chequerboard floor is both practical and durable but also visually striking,’ says Tom Cox, co-founder of Hám Interiors , who designed this home. ‘Tones of grey and off-white will soften the look and create the illusion of a time-worn patina.'
2. Try practical engineered parquet
(Image credit: Parquetry Rhine chevron flooring, Woodworks by Ted Todd)
Combining the beautiful grains of solid timbers with the practical benefits of being durable, hardwearing and compatible with underfloor heating, engineered timber is popular flooring idea for hallways, plus there are all sorts of finishes and laying patterns.
'To keep the hallway light and airy, choosing a paler wood floor will not only bring the great outdoors in, but will keep the space feeling bright,' says Robert Walsh, founder and owner, Ted Todd . 'Introducing a pattern such as a chevron or herringbone will help to draw your eye through the space making it feel bigger, too.'
'What's more, lighter floors offer a contemporary feel and will add a subtle statement allowing you to use bolder color elsewhere. You can always opt for dark blue, grey or green for your doors, frames and other woodwork to add contrast and balance to the space,' adds Robert Walsh.
(Image credit: Styling Claudia Bryant | Photo Polly Wreford )
If you are looking for a playful and eye-catching look try tiling a hallway in vibrant geometric glazed porcelain tiles. Ideal for those that like to experiment, colorful porcelain tiles with simple patterns can be laid in infinite combinations and compositions to create all sorts of unique, head turning looks.
Available in 41 designs, the Mattonelle Margherita glazed floor tiles from Mutina at Domus look particularly effective when teamed with vibrant hallway paint ideas.
4. Bring country charm with limestone tiles
(Image credit: Future)
If you're looking for flooring to complement farmhouse decor ideas then you can't go wrong with rustic limestone tiles. Hardwearing and boasting beautiful natural markings from its sedimentary formation, limestone tiles bring the beauty of nature indoors plus will complement the rustic patina of exposed masonry.
There are many stone flooring types, but if you prefer an aged, lived in look then a tumbled limestone may be a good option as this is 'tumbled' to create a worn, antique finish and can give tiles a slightly rounded edge.
5. Nod to history with Victorian Minton tiles
(Image credit: Francine Kay)
Whether you have a Victorian property and are looking for authentic flooring, or simply love traditional decorating ideas then you may consider Victorian hallway tiles.
Made up of glazed and encaustic tiles, also known as Minton tiles, laid in striking geometric patterns, Victorian tiled floors brought color and prestige to entryways but were also very practical.
'Victorian tiled floors are prized original features so if you're lucky enough to have one in good condition be sure to preserve it and showcase it as part of your hallway design,' says Melanie Griffiths of Period Living magazine.
If you're looking to re-create the style, you could source reclaimed tiles for an authentic look, alternatively there are companies such as Original Style that offer new designs inspired by historic floors.
6. Add texture with a runner
(Image credit: Roger Oates)
While stone, wood or tiled floors make a practical hallway flooring choice, they can leave entryway ideas feeling cold and echoey. 'Adding a hallway runner will help bring a layer of warmth and texture underfoot but will also bring other practical benefits,' says Andy Guard, creative director at Roger Oates Design explains.
'On wooden or stone floors, if laid with underlay, a hallway runner will soften the resonating sounds of crashing feet but allow the wood or stone beneath to be visible making them far chicer than fitted carpets,' he says. 'Stripe runners are especially versatile complementing decorative and geometric tiles and patterned or floral wallpaper.'
7. Choose decorative wood flooring
(Image credit: Future)
Wood is a timeless, durable choice for hallway floors but how it is laid can have an impact on the look and feel of your space. Wide planks are brilliant country decorating idea, but for something a bit more luxurious consider a more decorative design explains Robert Walsh, founder and owner of Ted Todd.
'Subtle geometric patterns can make the room feel elegant and grand, like the floor has been in your home for centuries. Think Parquet de Versailles – which is a design that was created in the 17th Century for the palace of Versailles – or basket weave, a continuous pattern that flows across the room.
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'Some options for a statement geometric wood floor are Chequerboard or Parquet de Ardeche designs,' he adds.
8. Turn heads with bold colors
(Image credit: Styling Sally Denning | Photo Polly Wreford)
For a playful twist on the traditional chequerboard floor consider switching up black tiles for a vibrant color as demonstrated in this stylish hallway paved in Bert & May's encaustic tiles. As well as being fun and eye-catching chequerboard tiles, and floors with continuous geometric designs can make effective narrow hallway ideas for making spaces appear larger than they are as they have no obvious boundary.
9. Create a warm welcome with vintage carpets
(Image credit: Brent Darby)
For a quick way to make traditional hallways feel homely and welcoming antique runners are a brilliant solution. With rich colors and decorative prints they bring instant warmth to wood floors while still allowing the beauty of the wood to shine through.
10. Choose a practical vinyl
(Image credit: Amtico)
Durable and easy to clean, 'luxury vinyl tiles are the perfect solution for any family looking for a low maintenance flooring, whilst still looking aesthetically pleasing,' says Sarah Escott, design manager at Amtico .
'It’s extremely durable and robust and is resistant to stains making it great for any room in the home, in particular high traffic areas. Furthermore, LVT flooring is warm underfoot and can be used with underfloor heating making it the perfect choice,' adds Escott.
As well as having a wealth of practical benefits there are also a huge array of designs available, from wood and stone look, to playful geometric designs. If you have a large hallway consider a design with a border as this will put an emphasis on the boundary of the space.
11. Add warmth and softness with carpet
(Image credit: Brintons)
Hallway carpet ideas are a brilliant way to create a warm welcome in your home and are guaranteed to bring instant cosiness.
While it may not be the first choice you think of when it comes to hallway flooring a fitted carpet trend can make a particularly good flooring choice for large hallways due to their ability to deaden sounds.
With its grand proportions, large door and exposed stone walls this hallway in a converted barn could be easily run the risk of being echoey and cold, but a subtle stripe carpet fitted helps bring instant comfort. If you are considering carpet in a hallway then consider wool, says Jodie Hatton, residential design manager at Brintons .
'Wool-rich carpets are known for their quality because they are highly durable, which helps maintain their appearance. Wool provides luxury underfoot and helps to insulate your home for warmth and comfort. It absorbs sound to give a sense of calm and tranquillity. It is naturally fire resistant and fall-friendly for little ones.’
A carpet with a pattern such as a fine stripe works well in a hallway as they help disguise dirt and stains, too.
What is the best flooring for a hallway?
Hardwearing, durable materials such as solid stone, wood – solid and engineered – and ceramic tiles, are the best types of flooring for a hallway as these are one of the busiest rooms in the home that receive a high level of footfall. Carpet can also be a practical choice for high traffic areas provided it is made from a hardwearing fibre such as wool and is a low pile or flatweave design.
Combining the beautiful, grain of real wood with extra stability and the ability to be laid over underfloor heating, engineered timber makes a practical and stylish choice for hallways which will stand the test of time.
'While the temptation can be to opt for wood-effect flooring to help keep costs down, nothing quite beats the real thing, with engineered wood flooring creating a high-end finish that is surprisingly simple to care for and extremely durable,' says Peter Keane, Director of The Natural Wood Floor Company .
'Engineered board has up to 11 layers of plywood backing, with each layer glued at a 90-degree angle to the adjoining layer.
The surface layer of a precious hardwood is then glued on top, resulting in a much more stable floor with a robust construction, which can be used with underfloor heating too, so your real wood floor is as warm to walk on as it is to look at.'
If you don't have underfloor heating then hard floors can run the risk of feeling cold, adding a runner is a brilliant way to add instant warmth and will help to cushion sounds of constant footfall but can also help add instant personality.
'Following the trend for hard floors people are realising that a soft floor can be an undeniable luxury,' says Andy Guard, creative director at Roger Oates Design. 'A hallway runner creates instant style and warmth. As you only pass through the hall you can afford to be bold with design and add an injection of colour to an otherwise neutral house. '
Should you tile a hallway?
Tiling a hallway with solid stone, porcelain, ceramic or encaustic tiles is a brilliant way to create a hardwearing, durable floor that can withstand high levels of wear and tear, yet they can be beautifully decorative, too.
Boasting subtle natural markings, solid stone will bring a subtle, rustic look while. Alternatively ceramic and encaustic tiles are available in a huge array of colors, patterns and can be laid in endless geometric configurations to create a striking and playful focal point.
Pippa is Content Editor on Homes & Gardens online contributing to Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors print issues. A graduate of Art History and formerly Style Editor at Period Living, she is passionate about architecture, creating decorating content, interior styling and writing about craft and historic homes. She enjoys searching out beautiful images and the latest trends to share with the Homes & Gardens audience. A keen gardener, when she’s not writing you’ll find her growing flowers on her village allotment for styling projects.
10 expert tips for entryways |
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If you are on the hunt for modern hallway flooring ideas, then you've landed on the right page. Once an afterthought in a scheme, flooring has taken up a leading role.
We look back through the Homes & Gardens archives – and ask the interior design experts for the latest advice when it comes to hallway flooring ideas with a contemporary twist.
There’s a lot of interest in modern hallway flooring and in surface design in general, believes Mark Findlay, founder of vinyl flooring specialists Harvey Maria. ‘Entryway floors are no longer an after-thought; they’ve become an integral part of interior design and are now seen as a key feature in the home,’ he says.
Modern hallway flooring ideas
While a modern hallway floor, with its heavy use, needs to be durable and preferably easy to maintain, it can also be a feature that enhances the style and success of your room. The choice of material depends on your budget and attitude towards character, beauty and practicality.
1. Wow with wood
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)
Wood remains an enduring choice for interiors and is the ideal modern flooring to bring warmth and character to the entrance of your home.
Parquet floors – now considered a design classic – are always a sign of quality and craftsmanship and this elegant and timeless form of flooring first made an appearance in Louis XIV’s Versailles. With regular correct maintenance, it’s a modern hallway flooring idea that will last for years.
2. Fake it with good-quality vinyl flooring
(Image credit: Jan Baldwin)
Warm underfoot, easy to install and even easier to maintain, the appetite for vinyl flooring in heavy-traffic areas such as halls and entryways is growing.
Your space may double up as a waiting area or a place to store shoes and coats, which means it should stand up to wear and tear. Opting for vinyl flooring is not only an affordable option, but a practical one, too. Luxury vinyl tiling (LVT) is also resistant to chemical stains and water, so can be cleaned easily.
Choose from finishes that mimic wood and stone or playful patterns that add a splash of decoration while disguising pesky footprints. Look out for vinyl floor tiles, as opposed to rolls which are prone to warping.
3. Play with pattern
(Image credit: Future / Richard Powers)
‘Choosing the right type of modern flooring, in terms of the pattern it creates, can go a long way to making a hall space appear larger,' says Irene Gunter, interior designer and founder, Gunter & Co .
'I like to use wood on a diagonal – the room will seem bigger than it is. When it comes to tiling, I prefer tiles where you don’t obviously see where one tile starts or stops, making the entire floor appear seamless. Mosaics, large marble slabs or quirky geometric shapes can all be used to achieve this – especially when using bright colors like a powder blue. Whatever you do, try to avoid standard 60x60cm tiles as they visually divide the room into squares, accentuate that not too many of them fit.
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Harriet Goodacre of Topps Tiles agrees: ‘We often associate patterned flooring with Victorian-era design and for good reason; they are famed for their use of refined yet intricate patterns in the home to bring an air of timeless luxury.’
4. Lay down a patterned carpet
(Image credit: Mel Yates)
Until recently, carpet and rugs tended to be plain, neutral and for the bedroom only, but patterned carpets, rugs and hallway runner ideas are now coming back into favor, and moving into the hallway, too.
In the right hands, hallway carpet ideas and designs are akin to introducing a work of art into a room and setting a strong design tone. Think of the floor as the room’s main canvas, says Lorna Haigh of Alternative Flooring .
Lisa Conway of Brintons agrees: ‘We believe that a design scheme should start from the floor up, with the carpet being the basis for all the design choices,’ she says. ‘Pattern and color have been brought to the forefront to create a statement.
’ A heavily patterned design is a bold decision, but if you love it, go for it, recommends Lisa. ‘It will withstand room renovations for years to come because you can pick out different colors and design details to carry through to the wider scheme.’
5. Pave the way with realistic wood-effect tiles
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)
Timber-effect plank-shaped porcelain tiles are a popular choice for the hallway, not least because they introduce a sense of character and movement. Previously, their totally flat printed surface used to give away the fact that the planks were not made of real wood, but these days, a woodgrain is pressed into the surface of the tile for extra realism.
6. Lay down classic limestone
(Image credit: Future)
As one of the most popular choices of stone flooring, limestone comes in many variations of color, cuts and finishes. It works well both indoors and outdoors, making it a great option for entranceways and open-plan spaces.
Limestone tends to come in lighter, honey tones – and while it is not as porous as the likes of sandstone, it will require a strong sealant and will need to be maintained regularly to avoid premature staining and scratches.
7. Evoke a modern farmhouse feel with sandstone
(Image credit: Future)
Naturally beautiful, each slab of sandstone comes in varying hues. It will weather with age, which is part of its charm, but will require sealing. ‘All natural stone is porous, so it needs to be sealed,’ says Jason Cherrington, director of Lapicida . ‘Fortunately, high-tech sealants offer as much as 15 years’ guarantee.’
John Forde of Beswick Stone advises: ‘Employ someone who will not be fazed by the installation challenges that a natural material has over a man-made tile. This is by far the biggest mistake people make when getting a stone floor.’
8. Pretty up with porcelain tiles
(Image credit: Future)
There are many benefits to using porcelain tiles, as Jo Oliver, director of The Stone & Ceramic Warehouse , explains: ‘Porcelain is easy to keep hygienically clean.
A non-porous material, it is hardwearing, lightweight, scratch and stain-proof,’ says Jo.
Opting for large-format slabs with fewer grout lines not only helps with cleaning stone floors, but can create the illusion of space in a small hallway or narrow hallway space. Just be sure to choose a non-slip finish.
9. Go for modern encaustic-look tiles
(Image credit: Alexander James)
If you want to replicate the authentic colors and pattern of encaustic (concrete) tiles without any maintenance, consider an encaustic-look porcelain. Or create a bespoke hallway floor by combining shapes: it is amazing how many different designs you can create with a triangular format in a range of colors.
By far the most popular material for modern hallway floors these days, porcelain tiles are robust, non-porous and highly stain and scratch resistant. They work well with underfloor heating, plus they tend to come in a huge variety of designs, colors and formats.
10.
Opt for polished concrete (Image credit: Anna Stathaki / Future)
While polished concrete requires specialist installation, it can last a lifetime and requires minimal maintenance. It is wise to install a heating system as your concrete flooring goes in, otherwise it can feel quite cold underfoot – and retro-fitting can be a costly and disruptive task.
You may also want to add a large cozy rug or runner to soften up the space and help absorb sound, preventing unwanted echoing throughout your property.
What is the best flooring for a hallway?
A low-maintenance, durable floor is key for a modern hallway. Natural stone retains heat in the winter and is cool in summer. Wood-effect ceramic floors give the beauty of timber but are more practical and hard-wearing.
As to whether you continue the hallway flooring into the adjacent rooms, this is dependent on whether you are looking to unify the space or create a statement room in its own right. Patterned floors can delineate the space and provide wow factor when glimpsed through a glass or open door.
Patterned floors work well in smaller spaces such as hallways, staircases and landings. Where a busy pattern on a wall might be overwhelming, introducing a pattern on the floor with a mosaic or encaustic tile can add interest without taking over the space. ‘We often use boldly patterned or brightly colored carpets in small rooms or forgotten back stairs – they liven themselves up when you introduce something unexpected and strong,’ says interior designer Adam Bray.
“Patterned floors, especially tiles, are forgiving and practical but they can also visually link spaces, creating a continuous vista between the interior and exterior,' says Sophie Coller, managing director, Kitesgrove .
What should I put on my hallway floor?
A hall is an introduction. The exterior and front door have already given plenty of clues – the sort you pick up when you see someone you haven’t met before across a room – but entering the hall is the beginning of a conversation. Will it be tidy, empty, plain? Will it be colorful and crowded? As the first space you experience, it creates a lasting impression.
But a hall has an equally important practical role, as the stepping stone between indoors and outdoors, the passage between rooms and, more often than not, the link between downstairs and upstairs.
Even in houses with boot rooms, the hall is a well-worn path, and because of this its flooring should be hardwearing. This is not a place for thick-pile carpet, valuable rugs or anything that stains or weathers unattractively. Any of the traditional floorings used in period homes fit the bill. Floorboards, farmhouse flags or tessellated encaustic tiles all look better for the polish endowed by generations of boot soles. If you are not fortunate enough to have original flooring, a good alternative is reclaimed versions, whether wood, stone or ceramic.
Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space.
Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
Hallway flooring: which floor is better to make in the hallway, photos of real interiors
Any finishing material for the hallway must meet two requirements: to be resistant to wear and dirt. Many mistakenly believe that only porcelain stoneware and floor tiles are suitable for the entrance area of an apartment or house. In fact, cork, parquet, laminate and all kinds of PVC coatings will just as worthy bear the burden placed on them. And yet, what floor is better to do in the hallway? nine0003
Materials of different "filling" can have a very similar design, which will allow you to replace a parquet board that you like, but does not fit into the budget, with a laminate or PVC tile. Often, combined floor coverings are used for the hallway, but we will consider all the materials separately.
MAC Custom Homes
1. Linoleum
Initially rolled up and having a width of 1.5 to 4 m, the coating is perhaps the best value for money. It is characterized by high resistance to abrasion, ease of maintenance and a wide range of products (on sale are not only plain, “rippled” and fantasy samples, but also materials whose pattern and texture reproduce a ceramic or wooden surface). nine0003
At the same time, this coating is quite difficult to install. Some believe that it is enough to roll out linoleum and press it with a plinth. This is absolutely wrong: linoleum is glued, and in tightness. If the coating is not glued, then after a while shrinkage will occur, and the plinth will no longer be able to hold the material.
One more thing: the base under the linoleum must be very even and smooth. This floor covering for the hallway is very elastic, and therefore extremely susceptible to the smallest defects and surface roughness.
Yes, the foam layer of modern linoleums perfectly hides minor flaws, but over time, the jams will turn into cracks, creating a reason for a new repair in the hallway. nine0003
Thomas Cochren Homes
In the photo: Tiles in the hallway
2. PVC tiles
The material is similar in composition, structure and properties to linoleum. But it has two significant pluses - the format and, as a result, the installation scheme.
Square or rectangular PVC tiles, which are included in one collection, can be laid on the floor, combining elements of different - similar or contrasting - shades and textures. Thus, different modules are connected in the same plane. nine0003
There are also several installation schemes (drawings). For example, when laying square tiles, they often adhere to a parallel, “seam to seam”, or diagonal (as in the photo) pattern. Rectangular modular elements are mounted apart, shifting each next row by a third or half the length of the tile - by analogy with brickwork.
Von Fitz Design
Illustration: Laminate is a hallway floor that can mimic any other material; decide which is better: parquet board or, for example, marble
3. Laminate
The main thing when buying a laminate is not to make a mistake with the class of coverage. Since intensively exploited premises are considered - an entrance hall, a hall, a corridor, the higher the class, the better. From "household" floors, you should immediately refuse and choose a laminate oriented to the commercial load of 32 and 33 wear resistance classes.
Please note that many manufacturers have not systematized coatings for the mentioned classes for a long time, although they indicate them in the technical documentation. Materials that have the same performance characteristics are combined into collections with original and little-speaking names: do not be too lazy to ask a consultant in the salon - make them read the labels from the box for you.
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Laminate is a great imitator, because the decor of its work surface is able to copy anything: complex artistic parquet and laid with the usual “herringbone”, solid board, ship deck, ceramic tiles of different sizes, marble, slate ... Moreover, color restrictions, of course , does not exist. As well as there are no extra charges for exotic or artificially aged wood or a rare type of stone.
LEIVARS
4. Ceramic tiles
This flooring can solve any decorative task. True, not every floor tile is suitable for laying on floors in hallways, halls and kitchens, but only glazed material produced using single firing technology. This method of production, although it does not provide particularly bright color and mirror gloss, guarantees a product whose base is strong and the glaze is resistant to abrasion. The tile for a floor possesses chemical firmness and keeps esthetics for many years. nine0003
To determine if a tile is suitable for laying on the floor, the pictogram on the package will help - a square with a foot on a black background.
Crisp Architects
5. Porcelain stoneware
A truly versatile material - porcelain stoneware can be used to cover anything: floors, walls and even ceilings. However, there are "pitfalls". Since we are talking about the interior of the hallway, you will have to abandon the semi-polished and polished material. And that's why. During its production, the upper layer of the original coating, matte porcelain stoneware, is partially or completely cut off, after which the surface of the product is polished. Such processing gives the material a mirror shine - the design may win, but the wear resistance is reduced. nine0003
In addition, semi-polished or polished stoneware must be treated regularly with special mastics. The latter create an additional protective layer on the surface of the coating. Agree, in the hallway, such manipulations will have to be carried out too often.
Jill Wolff Interior Design
6.
Hardwood flooring
Perhaps this is one of the most expensive flooring. However, no matter how low or, conversely, high its cost is, there is nothing reprehensible in laying parquet boards on the floor in the hallway. nine0003
The material is able to serve for a long time, and it will be easier to care for it if two conditions are met. First - for laying on the floor in the hallway, it is better to purchase a parquet board with a protective varnish layer. Of course, over time, “paths” will appear on it - the varnish layer will wear out, wear out. And, in order to return the material to its original appearance, the surface of the parquet board will have to be completely sanded and covered with a new layer of varnish. But it will take a long time before the repair. But the coating with an oil-wax protective layer (by the way, it allows local restoration) will have to be “ennobled” much earlier. nine0003
The second requirement is the color of the parquet board. It makes sense to refuse too dark or very light material, despite the fashion for a white floor in the interior.
Otherwise, you will either have to spend days on end cleaning, or give up on it: any pollution will be noticeable on such coatings.
2Scale Architects
7. Cork
Cork flooring is a real salvation for allergy sufferers, and walking on it is a pleasure! Both tiled materials and lock panels are suitable for laying on the floor. nine0003
"Tile" resembles linoleum. It is glued, and with tension, which is why very strict requirements are imposed on the base under the coating. But the lock cork panels are not so capricious. The "floating" method of their installation is similar to that used when laying laminate and parquet boards.
YOUR TURN….
Tell us what do you think is the best thing to put on the floor in the hallway? What suggestions in this material seemed to you the most successful? Share your opinion in the comments! nine0022
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Hallway flooring
The hallway in a house or apartment is the area where flooring experiences the most stress.
They constantly walk on the floor in shoes, put strollers, sleds and bicycles. Dirt and moisture accumulate here, especially in the autumn-winter period. And when choosing a floor covering, we first of all want it to last for a long time without changing its appearance. nine0003
Basic requirements for hallway flooring
Apartment entrance hall - high flooring load area
What is meant by the phrase: "without changing the appearance", what hopes do we have for hallway flooring? We want:
- The floor to be resistant to constant and intensive use.
- Will not deteriorate from moisture.
- Did not scratch from walking on it in heels.
Among the floor coverings available on the market, tiles and porcelain stoneware, laminate, linoleum, quartz-vinyl are most often purchased for the hallway. We will analyze which of them will most fully meet our desires.
Load resistance of the flooring
A good floor can be walked on without fear in any shoes
Tiles and porcelain stoneware are valued for their durability.
The appearance of such floors is not lost for many years. Tiles and porcelain stoneware are resistant to abrasion, they are difficult to scratch and impossible to push through. nine0003
These tiles are quite expensive, especially if you choose tiles with an unusual design. Here the price tag can rise up to 3-5 thousand per square.
Linoleum for the entrance hall is chosen because of its cheapness. It's easy to put it on. The best option for the hallway is a thick multilayer linoleum with an anti-slip coating.
A serious disadvantage of linoleum is its softness. After prolonged loads, it is covered with numerous scratches, and from careless movement with a sharp object it can break. nine0003
Laminate for the hallway is better to take with a high class of operation. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that sharp heels can still scratch or even push through the flooring. In addition to an unaesthetic appearance, other problems can arise from such damage. Moisture will be absorbed through a deep scratch or chip, and the coating will subsequently deform.
Thanks to its multi-layer structure, quartz-vinyl is a durable and wear-resistant floor covering. The protective PVC layer is almost impossible to damage, you can safely walk on the floor in heels and put heavy objects on it. nine0003
Moisture resistance
Moisture from rain or snow that gets on your clothes and shoes will be on your flooring in the hallway
Porcelain stoneware and tiles are not afraid of water. No matter how much liquid you pour on the floor, it will simply spread over the surface and will not penetrate the coating.
A protective layer applied to linoleum makes it waterproof. But if the linoleum was laid on the floor just like that, without gluing, then moisture, as they say, will find a hole and seep under the coating. This is fraught with the appearance of fungus and mold, and in the future the geometry of the entire floor will “go”. Such a hole, for example, can be a gap between the wall and linoleum, if there is no plinth in this place.
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If you use laminate flooring in your entryway, remember that water is its worst enemy. You will have to protect the floor with rubber or fabric rugs or take off your shoes on the street (just kidding). Water will seep between the joints, and this will subsequently lead to deformation of the flooring.
Quartz Vinyl - 100% moisture resistant coating. You can put an umbrella on it to dry after the rain and even squeeze your soaked through clothes onto the floor. Strong locks or adhesive joints will not allow moisture to penetrate under the coating, and the quartz-vinyl layers themselves are thought out in such a way that they are absolutely not afraid of moisture. nine0003
Black rubber floor mats should be avoided, because over time the rubber reacts chemically with PVC, which is the protective layer of quartz-vinyl tiles, and the floor begins to turn yellow.
Resistance to mechanical damage
Many types of floor coverings based on natural wood or artificial materials are afraid of mechanical stress.
But not quartz-vinyl
You can walk on tiles and porcelain stoneware as much as you like in heavy boots or move furniture over them - the materials will withstand such a load. nine0003
However, this sex also has a vulnerability. If you drop something very heavy on the tile, most likely a crack or chip will appear in this place. Porcelain stoneware, due to its thickness, is more resistant to such damage, but it can also be damaged, for example, by the tip of a ski pole or garden tool.
The softness of linoleum limits its use in the hallway also because of the low resistance to point loads. It can break if accidentally hooked on the sharp edge of a sled or toolbox, a stiletto heel, or even the tip of an umbrella cane. Of course, you can eliminate the defect with a patch, but if the aesthetic appearance of the flooring is still important, then the damaged linoleum will have to be replaced with a new one. nine0003
Laminate is stronger than linoleum. But still, an inelastic floor covering, because of this, dents and scratches will appear on it from heels or falling heavy objects.
Thanks to the plasticity of quartz-vinyl and the presence of several protective layers, Fine Floor tiles are not afraid of impacts from falling heavy objects. But even if the tile is scratched over time, you don’t have to worry about the integrity of the pattern. After all, only the top layer is damaged, scratches on which can be leveled with special mastic. nine0003
Entrance floor care instructions
Porcelain stoneware and tiles can be cleaned using an acid or alkaline cleaner. It is better not to use soap, it may leave stains on the coating. Care must also be taken when cleaning these coatings with an abrasive agent so as not to scratch the floor.
In the care of linoleum, laminate and quartz-vinyl, there is one common limitation - the rejection of cleaning products containing aggressive acids, alkalis, ammonia, chlorine and abrasive particles. nine0003
Linoleum is easy to clean with water. For greater convenience, you can apply a layer of mastic with dirt-repellent properties.
