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What Are the Different Types of Hallway Flooring?

T. Carrier
T. Carrier

Since they are one of the most traveled and viewed areas in a house, hallways require flooring that is both attractive and easy to clean. The hallway flooring's fit with nearby flooring is another guiding consideration. Taking these factors into account, several hallway flooring options exist. Individuals concerned with durability may opt for hardwood flooring, tile flooring, or vinyl flooring. Other options that offer their own positives and negatives include laminate flooring and carpeting.

Hallway flooring and entryway flooring in particular should set the tone for a home while still maintaining durability for heavy foot traffic. Hardwood flooring can achieve these divergent effects. Comprised of wood planks, hardwood floors come in a variety of options. Waxed finished appearances are perhaps the most prevalent. A more modern option is derived from cork oak trees, and this cork flooring is praised for its durability and insulation capacities.

Hardwood flooring.
Hardwood flooring.

Real wood is not essential for a wooden appearance, however. The thin, pressed material of laminate flooring mimics the look and durability of wooden flooring. Computer technology creates the appearance, as digital images of wood patterns are imprinted on the surface material. This option for hallway flooring also complements most other flooring types, as it comes in many varieties ranging from smooth to textured. Laminate flooring may be affixed to the floor by gluing or snap-and-lock features.

Some homeowners prefer laminate wood floors in hallways and other high-traffic areas because they are more durable than solid hardwoods.
Some homeowners prefer laminate wood floors in hallways and other high-traffic areas because they are more durable than solid hardwoods.

Tile flooring represents another option for hallway flooring. The usually square pieces of material that make up tiles are laid on a surface in a connected pattern. They can be made of various kinds of material, including granite, marble, and a clay-like substance called terra-cotta. Some individuals even paint tiles to produce unique pattern images on the floor.

Laminate flooring is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood flooring.
Laminate flooring is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood flooring.

An additional oft-used substance that complements adjoining bathroom and kitchen floors in particular is vinyl flooring. This leather substitute gained popularity because of its long duration, its inexpensiveness, and its easy installation. Vinyl flooring may come in either rolled sheets or tiles.

Carpeting provides an additional option for hallway home flooring, although it carries both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, the narrowness of most hallways means that only one piece of hallway carpet will likely be needed. Carpeting also significantly reduces noise disturbances, and therefore may be especially beneficial for hallways outside of bedrooms. While many diverse carpet colors and patterns exist, keeping these surfaces clean may prove difficult. This material is perhaps more susceptible to dirt and wear-and-tear, so darker or patterned carpets may prove to be more viable options.

Discussion Comments

MrsWinslow

If your hallway ends in an exterior door, carpet can interfere with the door opening as well as collect dirt. An option that might not be very expensive is to have a sandtrap installed.

This is basically a small area of hard flooring (usually wood) right at a doorway. It allows the door to open more easily as well as gives you a place to put down a mat for people to wipe their feet so they don't get mud all over your carpet!

The nice thing about a sandtrap is it doesn't take much wood. Many flooring places will give you a good deal on cheap flooring that they have left over from a larger job.

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    • Hardwood flooring.
      Hardwood flooring.
    • Some homeowners prefer laminate wood floors in hallways and other high-traffic areas because they are more durable than solid hardwoods.
      By: Wollwerth Imagery
      Some homeowners prefer laminate wood floors in hallways and other high-traffic areas because they are more durable than solid hardwoods.
    • Laminate flooring is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood flooring.
      By: Konstantin Sutyagin
      Laminate flooring is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood flooring.