When it comes to choosing flooring, durability is often a main consideration. We need wood flooring to resist water damage, carpet to resist wine stains, and vinyl to resist scratches from dog claws, to name a few common scenarios. But which flooring options should you choose to keep your home looking clean and beautiful? This guide will help you understand the different types of durable flooring, and which are best suited to handle life in your home.

Stain-Resistant Carpet

Many carpet products claim to be durable and stain resistant. But how do you sort out which is best? First, it helps to know a bit about the highest performing carpet fibers and how stain resistance works.

Polyester Fiber

If you’re looking for stain-resistant carpet, solution-dyed polyester offers inherent stain resistance, plus enhanced cleanability. Most carpets begin with neutral yarns, and colorful dye is added later. With solution-dyed carpet, however, the color is built into the fiber, so the carpet resists bleaching and stains to look newer for longer.

Triexta Fiber

For the highest performing carpet options, look for triexta fiber with inherent stain resistance. Permanent protection is built into the carpet fibers, preventing stains from bonding to the carpet, so the carpet can be easily and thoroughly cleaned. Triexta is resistant to even the most stubborn of stains — red wine.

Triexta is not only inherently stain resistant but also durable enough to withstand high-traffic areas. If this tough carpet fiber can stand up to a rhino, it can handle your family’s feet.

Durable Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring, which consists of layered wood, can also be highly durable, known for its incredible ability to resist scratches and stains. Although it may be indistinguishable from hardwood at first glance, innovative technologies in premium products make it suitable for more areas of the home.

Waterproof Laminate Flooring

For the highest performing laminate, look for products with WetProtect^®, a waterproof system that can withstand the splashes and spills in bathrooms and kitchens. Some products even come with a lifetime pet warranty, covering all pets and all accidents, to provide a durable solution for pet owners and active families with children. 

Durable Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is sometimes confused with laminate flooring, but it’s about as different as you can get. Although it may look like wood, vinyl contains zero wood, making it far more water resistant. High-quality vinyl options are extremely durable as well, resisting scratches, scuffs, and staining.

Vinyl Sheet and Planks Sheet

Vinyl comes in large rolls that are laid across the room and cut to size, whereas luxury vinyl planks or tiles (often called LVP or LVT) snap together or glue down for easier installation. Some vinyl tiles can even be used with grout to give them an incredibly realistic tile or stone appearance.

Waterproof Vinyl

The top-performing rigid vinyl planks are built with superior dimensional stability for homes in any climate. Completely waterproof, these planks are suitable for any room in the house and an ideal choice for three-season homes. The best products also come with pet protection, covering all pets and all accidents.

If you are in the market for durable flooring options, talk to your local Mohawk retailer about SmartStrand^® carpet, made from durable and stain-resistant triexta fibers. Looking for laminate or vinyl planks instead? Mohawk’s RevWood Plus^® laminated wood and SolidTech Plus^® rigid vinyl planks both feature WetProtect and All Pet Protection & Warranty for greater peace of mind.