Resilient flooring is designed to be durable, resistant to stains and water, and comfortable to stand and work on. There are a wide range of styles within this category, at a range of price points from very affordable to more expensive luxury brands of flooring. Many flooring stores stock resilient products, and they typically provide samples for interested customers to examine.
The most common types of resilient flooring are made from materials like cork, vinyl, linoleum, and rubber. These materials are all known for being extremely sturdy, and they also possess a natural springiness, especially when installed over a sprung subfloor. Springy flooring is much more comfortable to stand on, making it a popular choice for kitchens, hospitals, retail stores, and other environments where people spend a lot of time on their feet. Cork and rubber are especially good for this, providing support and a springy surface that is enjoyable to walk on.
Another common trait of this flooring is resistance to stains, which includes food, dirt, and liquids. Some floors are treated with an upper layer of wax to make them even more stain resistant and easier to clean. This flooring also resists penetration by water, making it less likely to become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can make a home unhealthy to be in. It also reduces the risk of damage to the subfloor.
The materials used to make resilient flooring can also resist scuffing and damage from rolling furniture, dollies, or furniture that is dragged across the floor. They can also withstand high foot traffic, which can be very convenient in a home with children and pets. Flooring materials like cork and rubber are also used in dairies and stables, which goes to show you how sturdy they are; if they can support horses, they can handle busy human traffic.
Vinyl and linoleum flooring tend to be on the lower end of price scale, and they come in a wide range of colors and styles that can mesh with an assortment of design schemes. Rubber flooring can be more expensive, and less exciting to look at, since it is typically a dull black. Some flooring companies also make rubber floor pads that can be locked together for use in high traffic areas, allowing people to create a section of resilient flooring where it is needed most. Cork floors tend to be the most expensive, and they can be quite beautiful, as cork has a natural pattern that is very distinctive.