The Best Flooring for a Utility Room
If you are lucky enough to have a utility room in your home. In that case, you will know that hard-wearing flooring is needed that can withstand frequent exposure to moisture, heavy footfall, and the weight of large appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers. In this post, we will go through the different flooring types suitable for this small but hard working room.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a popular choice for a utility room as the planks have a moisture-resistant core and a protective top layer that makes them more resistant to water and excess moisture than traditional wooden floors. However, while laminate flooring is resistant to moisture, the planks are by no means waterproof, so if there is excess water or standing water for any length of time, the flooring will become damaged. If you have a large family and lots of washing, you may find that you spend a lot of time walking in and out of the utility room. Laminate floors are designed to be durable, scratch-resistant, and withstand heavy foot traffic, so they are a great choice for a heavily used room. They are also easy to maintain and can be mopped (with a damp rather than a wet mop), vacuumed or swept regularly to keep them looking good.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is fully waterproof and water resistant, which makes it a great choice for a utility room where spills, moisture and humidity can frequently occur. Unlike laminate, vinyl flooring won’t warp, swell or be damaged by standing water, but as with any spills, it is advisable to clean up as soon as possible to avoid additional damage. Luxury vinyl flooring is also designed to be durable and long lasting, and it is also very easy to keep clean by sweeping or damp mopping. One issue to be aware of is that vinyl floors can be susceptible to dents and scratches from heavy objects, so if you are moving heavy appliances, you must first protect the flooring.
Utility Room Style Ideas
As utility rooms are often small, it may be best to stick with neutral shades for the flooring, such as cream, grey or beige. Keeping the flooring neutral can also let you experiment with bolder colours on the units and paintwork. Another classic look for a utility room is black and white check tiles. This style has been a popular design in the washrooms and kitchens of country houses for many years and will look good paired with any colour for the walls and units.