What is the Difference Between Resilient and Non-Resilient Floors?
Your flooring is an integral part of your home. Given the important role that your floor plays in your home, you should be very careful when choosing which one will be installed in your home. There are a vast assortment of flooring options available which can make the decision even more difficult. When it comes to hard surface flooring, the most popular hard-surface flooring options come in two categories: resilient and non-resilient floors. But really, what is the difference?
Hard-surface Floors: Resilient vs. Non-Resilient Floors
Resilient Floors
Resilient floors are man made flooring products with the one exception of cork. They are made with mostly flexible materials including vinyl, limestone, and cork. Resilient floors usually have a bit of cushion underfoot and the cushion also provides more sound dampening. The resilient flooring category includes vinyl planks, vinyl tiles, sheet vinyl, linoleum, and cork flooring.
Non-Resilient Floors
The non-resilient flooring category is made up of both natural and man made materials which includes hardwood, laminate, and tile. These hard surface floors are rigid and do not have the same cushion as resilient floors. These hard surface floors are know for their tendency to have clicking sounds when they’re walked on.
Comparison Points Elasticity
As mentioned before, resilient floors offer some degree of elasticity which gives most of them a nice cushion underfoot as well as increased sound absorption. This makes them a popular choice to install in second stories to minimize sound transfer as well as in kitchens where people tend to stand for extended periods of time while cooking for added comfort.
Maintenance
Both resilient and non-resilient floorings are, for the most part, low maintenance when it comes to cleaning and maintaining the floor. Most of them only require regular sweeping and/or dusting and a spray cleaner for your specified flooring. In the resilient category there are some sheet vinyls and tiles that require regular waxing and in the non-resilient category, oil treated hardwoods require regular refreshers.
Rugworks and many flooring companies in Rohnert Park recommend considering the amount of maintenance that you’re willing to take on when picking your floors.
Durability
Though both resilient and non-resilient floorings are durable, none are impervious to damage. While resilient flooring is scratch and dent resistant more so than a natural hardwood, it is susceptible to scratching and denting more so than a laminate flooring. Resilient planks and tiles are more forgiving of subfloor imperfections, requiring less installation prep than non-resilient floors but they are more susceptible to warping in the direct sun coming in through sliders and window walls without UV protection.
Affordability
Resilient flooring is usually more affordable than hardwood and tile flooring but is comparable to the price of laminate. Installation costs are most often similar but the resilient planks and vinyl are more forgiving when it comes to prep which can sometimes make them more affordable to install.
Still cannot decide which flooring option best fits your needs? Let Rugworks help. We are one of the most trusted flooring companies in Rohnert Park. Whatever your needs are, our flooring experts are here to help. To consult with an expert from our team, call us at 707-584-7847 in Rohnert Park or 707-935-0648 in Sonoma.