Which flooring to choose for the hallway?

Many of our readers ask us a question: what is better to make the floors in the hallway? At first it seemed to us that the answer to this question seemed to be unambiguous: linoleum or tiles! Strong, washable, enough for a long time, we reasoned. But it turned out we were wrong. After talking with the experts, we realized: what is not used for making the floor in the hallway in our time!

The choice is great: linoleum of all kinds, quartz vinyl tiles, ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, carpet, mats, laminate and even “gold” tiles. In addition, a combination of all these materials is possible (this, by the way, is the most fashionable option today). But how do you choose the right coating??

Here’s what we found out from knowledgeable people. Firstly, most buyers have similar requirements for a floor covering for a hallway: it must be durable, moisture resistant, resist pressure and shock well, and also not be too susceptible to stains and dirt. And, of course, I want the floors in the hallway to be easy (and painless to cover) to clean. And secondly, a lot is decided by taste, habits, consistency and even, as it turned out, the education of the consumer..

We asked experts, manufacturers and sellers of certain floor coverings to help our readers understand this issue. (And everyone was asked the question: what floor do they themselves have in the hallway?) And this is what we learned.

Parquet and parquet board

Block parquet – flooring made of solid wooden blocks of natural wood. After laying on a prepared (leveled) floor, the parquet is usually varnished. With good care, parquet flooring will serve several generations of residents.

Parquet board – floor covering made of boards (lamellas) 2–2.5 m long, 20 cm wide, 14–20 mm high. The lamellas consist of three layers: the upper one is a veneer of valuable wood species, the middle and bottom layers are coniferous bars. Factory varnishing lasts 10-15 years.

Experts warn: parquet floor suffers from dirty shoes and boots, bald patches and scratches appear on it. And you can’t wash it especially, especially with “chemistry”.

How much will parquet flooring in the hallway cost? For example, take a 10-meter hallway:
Block parquet (in combination with leveling the base and laying special moisture-resistant plywood on it) – about $ 100 / sq.m.
Total: 1000 $

The parquet board has its pluses: the relative ease of installation and moderate requirements for the “subfloor”. Thanks to this, our entrance hall will cost about half the price of a floor laid with block parquet. Although the prices for the parquet board itself ($ 30-50 / sq. M) and good block parquet are quite comparable. On average, we get $ 500.

Expert opinion

Leonid Lagunov, head of the training center of the “Parket Hall” company (Russia):

– Unfortunately, all wooden lacquered materials are not the best solution for the hallway – they will wear out and deform from dirt and sand. If you put a carpet on the parquet without a backing, then the varnish layer may rub or even darken the coating itself. It is better to protect the parquet with a special polyacrylic mat made by the Swedish company Tarkett. But he has a fixed size, and in a large hallway, he may be small.

Laminate in terms of abrasion resistance as well as shoe marks, dirt, winter salt, etc. – good material, but the “sore spot” of the laminate floor is the joints. They are usually “open” to moisture. There is, however, a special compound for moisture-resistant grouting of laminate and parquet board joints – “Bonacair”, which is produced by the Swedish company Bona. But it contains oily substances, so after applying it, you must carefully remove all residues from the floor surface..

True, in expensive varieties of laminate, the joints have a moisture-resistant impregnation (for example, in a Pergo laminate). But such a laminate is almost like a parquet board. For example, I’d rather buy an oak parquet board for the same money – at worst, I’ll change it once again. Why put in synthetic material! But this, of course, is my personal opinion. If someone else likes laminate flooring – well, please. Just don’t forget to protect the joints from moisture.

That is why, in my opinion, the best option is to make a so-called “dedicated” hallway: that is, to lay out the area for shoes and shoes (right in front of the front door), for example, with stone or good ceramic tiles. And then, on the same level, you can lay a wooden covering in the hallway, dividing these zones with compensating inserts from cork – so that the tree, with possible deformations, does not run into the tile and squeeze it out. By the way, I have parquet in the hallway at home. But it has been lying for 35 years, we moved into the apartment at a time when good oak parquet was laid everywhere for free. To protect it from dirt and moisture, we laid a dense carpet on top.

Laminate

Move on. And we will listen to the opinions of experts about the laminate. I would like to understand: after all, you can lay it in the hallway or not?

Laminated parquet or laminate – multi-layer flooring with a high density fiberboard backing. On top of the base there is a paper layer with a pattern and a transparent protective layer. According to the degree of wear resistance, the laminate is divided into 6 classes (21, 22, 23rd – “home” classes, 31, 32, 33rd – “commercial”). The service life of the cheapest laminate is 5 – 7 years, there are collections with a warranty period of 10 – 15 years.

According to knowledgeable people, the laminate, it would seem, is the ideal covering for the hallway: it is durable, resistant to abrasion and stress. Especially laminate of 31-33 grades.

And it is not difficult to lay it – on the end sides of the laminate plates there are “grooves” and “thorns” with which the plates are connected. Or they are snapped in with a special latch (wooden or metal), and then a single canvas is fixed with plinths. And then tiles damaged, for example, by water, are easy to replace. In addition, there are waterproof collections today..

This laminate can even be placed in the bathroom: it is not afraid of water

How much will the laminate floor cost:
Adhesive laminate of the 23rd class – 13-17 $ / sq.m, 31st class – 15-20 $ / sq.m.
Waterproof collections – 25 $ / sq.m.
Prefabricated laminate – $ 20-26 / sq.m.

In addition to the laminate, you need: soundproofing and leveling substrate (1–2 $ / sq.m; for the entire area – on average $ 15); plinth ($ 2–4 / linear m, for the entire perimeter – $ 45); fasteners (“clips”) to the plinth ($ 0.3 per piece, you need 30 pieces, only $ 9); glue (for adhesive laminates) – $ 5 per package (enough for 10-12 sq.m).

Total: a floor made of ordinary adhesive laminate of 23/31 classes will cost $ 215-275, from waterproof adhesive – $ 325, from a prefabricated one of the same classes – $ 269-329.

Expert opinion

Alexey Glyadkov, export manager, Witex (Germany):

– We recommend our laminate flooring for the hallway, but you need to use special rugs with a rubber base and a textile surface – they trap dirt and moisture. Thanks to these and other maintenance measures, our laminate flooring can last 15-20 years or more..

Witex laminate is glueless. We believe that glue is the enemy of wood: when frozen in the groove, it begins to expand, the edges rise, and this affects the service life.

How to take care of him? With a vacuum cleaner, special detergents. Can be wiped with a well wrung out cloth. Our laminate is not afraid of moisture, because the grooves are impregnated with a water-repellent compound. So you can even put it in the bathroom..

Our laminate has a high degree of noise reduction, which is also important for the hallway. Noise is reduced by a special coating of high-density eco-friendly materials on the back of the panel.

Can be laminated and “repaired”. Imagine that a “path” has been trodden on the laminate, which lies in the hallway for 7-10 years. Then you can replace the “trodden” panels with new ones. By the way, this cannot be done with glued laminate..

Personally, I have laminate at home so far only on the second floor. But new technologies make it possible to lay Witex products in the hallway, in the kitchen, and even in the bathroom … I think it’s time for me to make repairs.

And here is what Andrei Knysh, a specialist at Carpet House, told us:

– For the hallway, a high-class laminate is more suitable (not less than class 31 – that is, one that is intended for public spaces with minimal floor load). He is not so afraid of sand, dirt and moisture. It is, of course, more expensive. But after all, the hallway, as a rule, is a small room in area, therefore, the costs of the laminate are not ruinous. Moreover, the Kaindl company, whose products we sell, gives a 12-year guarantee for laminate flooring.

So, in the hallway, we recommend laying the glueless Austrian Kaindl laminate with a snap (self-pulling snap system). The joints will turn out to be very strong and will not react to moisture, since not only the grooves, but also the entire load-bearing panel of this laminate is impregnated with a water-repellent compound. Although laminate flooring is usually not recommended to be laid in those hallways where there are temperature drops and high humidity.

In general, laminate is a matter of taste. It is warmer than tiles (you can put an additional heat-insulating substrate under it, however, it increases the cost of the laminate, and buyers are not yet ready to pay for it).

I have a renovation in my hallway. But we have already decided that we will put a high-class laminate Kaindl, fashionable colors – imitation of old wood.

Carpets: artificial and natural

Carpet – carpet roll covering. Sometimes natural and artificial.
Natural carpet made from wool or from a mixture with other fibers. Natural jute is used as a base.
Artificial carpet made of synthetic fibers: nylon (polyamide), acrylic, polyester, polypropylene (olefin). The base is synthetic jute. Service life – 5-15 years.

Carpets (carpet) are also suitable for the hallway. Another thing is which carpet to choose.

For the hallway, natural carpet is not suitable: wool and jute easily absorb and hold water well – which means that the stained coating will begin to deteriorate from below. And then – natural carpeting is easily perforated and keeps dents for a long time. Price – from 40 to 100 $ / sq.m (the lowest-grade – 15-20 $ / sq.m).

If you decide to lay a carpet in the hallway, experts advise buying an artificial carpet: it is easy to clean, does not wrinkle, and insects do not start in it. The most elastic and durable, but at the same time the most expensive carpet is made of nylon. In addition, you can buy acrylic, polyester and polypropylene carpets..

According to the manufacturing method, the most reliable is woven (others are needle-punched, it is also tufted, and needle-punched are less durable). In woven carpet, the threads are intertwined with a jute base. But, as it turned out, most of the artificial carpets we have on sale are needle-stitched (tufted). In them, the threads are fixed with glue. But such a coating is not afraid of water and dirt..

Needle-punched carpet is made as follows: the synthetic mass is rolled out on the surface of the base and “hammered” into it with needles. Outwardly, it resembles felt. According to experts, it is usually more durable than tufted. And one more thing: for the hallway, you need to choose a carpet with a high density and with a minimum in height pile or loop, and better without them at all.

How much will the floor in the hallway, laid with carpet, cost:

The types of carpet we need are $ 7-13 / sq.m (that is, $ 70-130 for a 10-meter hallway). A mat or foam rubber substrate 0.5 cm thick, on which the carpet is laid – $ 5 / sq.m (respectively, we pay $ 50). Carpet on an area of ​​less than 20 square meters can be easily laid by ourselves, glued to the floor along the perimeter (and in the seam area, if any) using double-sided adhesive tape – $ 3 for a 10-meter roll, of which we need two – that is, in total 6 $.

Total: $ 126-186.

Fashionable mats also belong to carpets. Here’s what the specialist says about them.

Expert opinion

Konstantin Davydenko, specialist of the sales department of the “Carpet House” company:

– Mats – quite durable material. Raw materials for them are made from sisal (these are the leaves of a tropical bush). Its special strength is evidenced by the fact that in antiquity ship ropes were made from it. At the base of the mat – natural latex.

A mat can be used to cover the entire floor by pressing it with baseboards, or it can be laid like a rug by treating it with tape.

The main way to care for mats is with a vacuum cleaner. But if there is heavy dirt, then cleaning agents for the care of woolen carpets will help. Still, we recommend this coating for rooms that do not directly border the street, because the mat absorbs moisture well, and if it is not dried immediately, it may deform. And you can dry it with a hairdryer or blotted with a rag. In addition, the mat can be laid on top of the “warm floors”.

We offer Belgian mats starting at $ 44 per sq.m. The widest color spectrum.

Sergey Gavrilenko, designer of the Carpet House company (Belgian and French coatings):

– A good store will always tell you which carpet is intended for rooms with high traffic. For example, for a hallway, it is better to buy an artificial loop carpet. As a designer, I claim that carpet can be matched to any interior. And this is very important for some clients. I myself have already had parquet flooring in the hallway for 4 years, and on it a mat, processed with tape. It is fashionable, beautiful, and has not lost its original appearance. And my clients often order carpet runners in the hallway..

Natural linoleum or PVC coating

Artificial linoleum – multilayer PVC coating. Wear resistance is determined by the thickness of the working layer (from 0.15 to 0.7 mm). Depending on this, all PVC coatings are subdivided into household (for residential premises, shelf life – 5 years), semi-commercial (they transfer the loads of public premises with low traffic, service life – from 5 to 10 years) and commercial (for public premises, serve under 25).

Linoleum is perhaps the most familiar and traditional material in our hallways. Although, wait, what kind of linoleum are we talking about? Real linoleum is a natural material: made from a mixture of wood flour, resin, cork, chalk and linseed oil. Natural linoleum will last for decades without visible signs of wear, it is not afraid of water, dirt, dents and scratches. It has, however, and disadvantages – not a very rich selection of colors and patterns, in addition, it must be periodically wiped with special mastic. And all the same, it could be an ideal covering for the hallway, if not for one “but” – they sell it, as a rule, in bulk quantities, “on order.” The price of 1 square meter of coverage is $ 16–20. Therefore, in our stores, the so-called “artificial linoleum” is most often sold, or rather PVC flooring.

How can you tell them apart? Household linoleum is soft, bends easily. Price – 5-9 $ / sq.m. Semi-commercial is denser and harder, it also bends easily, but almost no dents are formed with moderate pressure. Price – 10-14 $ / sq.m. Household and semi-commercial coatings have a pattern only on the top layer. Well, you can immediately distinguish a commercial one from the rest: this is a homogeneous (that is, uniform) coating, it has a pattern that remains in thickness until the material is completely abraded. Price – $ 7-30 / sq.m.

It is clear that semi-commercial and commercial PVC-coating options are more suitable for the hallway..

How much will the PVC linoleum floor cost:

A good semi-commercial linoleum costs $ 10-14 / sq.m. No glue needed. Like carpet, a 10 square meter semi-commercial covering is placed on adhesive tape (two rolls of tape – $ 6). This means that there is no need to invite specialists. But you will have to level the floor under linoleum – another $ 70.

Total: semi-commercial PVC flooring will cost $ 176-216.

Expert opinion

Alexander Gvozdik, Regional Sales Manager, Upofloor (Finland):

– Homogeneous commercial linoleum is perfect for the hallway. It is variegated, with dark blotches, and this makes scratches invisible. The range of colors is wide, so you can fit it into the design of the room. The covering is made on the basis of PVC, the top is treated with polyurethane. The drawing is made to the full depth and will not disappear until the linoleum is completely abraded. If the coating is laid on a well-leveled base, then at home it will last at least 20 years.

This coating is absolutely not afraid of moisture, does not rot. In addition, about once every six months, it makes sense to rub it with polish, special mastics for linoleum. But before applying a layer of mastic, the floor must be thoroughly washed and cleaned of the old polish. For this, there are also special products with a high pH level. Although it is quite possible to wash with regular cleaning powder.

Prices for our linoleum in Moscow are from $ 7 to $ 25. This is comparable to ceramic tiles. In general, the choice is a matter of taste. By the way, from our linoleum you can make logos or simple drawings right on the floor – for example, the profile of a starfish or your beloved dog.

But, in my opinion, an even more interesting option for the hallway is our quartz vinyl tile. It contains less PVC, 60% of the mineral component, that is, we can say that this material is 90% natural and harmless. The main component is quartz sand (it is superior in strength to granite). Nobody in the world makes tiles like this anymore..

Its range of application is from children’s rooms to warehouses. The wear resistance is very high. The design of the tiles is calm – natural scale. In addition, there are special borders and other design elements on sale. It is glued to regular glue, to sanded plywood or to a leveled screed. Serves 30-40 years at least. But I want to warn you that if the coating is flooded with water, then in some places it can come off, especially if it is placed on a wooden base. Although, on the other hand, in the event of a forced repair, linoleum will have to be changed completely, and the tiles will only have damaged elements. Price in Moscow – 10-15 $ / sq.m, borders and design elements are slightly more expensive.

At home in the hallway there is a parquet board … made in Kaluga. But I think that I will soon replace it with something more modern, for example, those materials that I just told you about..

Ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware

Ceramic tile – a group of products of various shapes, types and sizes of molded clay. There are wall and floor. Moreover, wall tiles cannot be used as floor tiles, since they have different characteristics..
Porcelain stoneware – ceramic slabs of various sizes, outwardly resembling natural stone. It is frost-resistant, resistant to chemicals, has a high density and low water absorption. Good quality porcelain stoneware should have a density of at least 18 kg / m2. Porcelain stoneware can be polished, unpolished, matte, anti-slip (embossed surface).

The durability of a good floor tile is beyond praise. That is why, for rooms with an intense human flow, experts willingly recommend floor ceramic tiles. The tiles do not care about water, like dirt, household chemicals. And then, you can choose a tile for every taste! Glazed floor tiles can be matte, they can imitate the texture of a stone. In addition, it has many decorative elements (borders, inserts). There are special floor tiles with a textured surface, it is safe to walk on it even with wet shoes. There is a corundum-coated anti-slip tile that can be laid even on an inclined surface. But, as always, there are disadvantages: ceramic tiles are, alas, cold material.

The price of imported floor tiles is on average $ 20 / sq.m. There is also a domestic one, it is cheaper than an Italian one, it costs about $ 10 / sq..

How much will it cost:

For high-quality ceramic floor tiles, you will have to pay at least $ 100-200. In addition, you need: adhesive mixture for laying tiles (2 bags of 25 kg) – $ 7, work – $ 60. Leveling the floor – $ 70.

Total: 10 meters of floor at least $ 240-340.

It is made using porcelain technology, with the addition of feldspars and quartz. And at very high temperatures and pressures. Pigments are mixed with raw materials, so the products are painted over to the full depth. Cool stuff! Nothing can take him: not by friction, not by water, not by the most poisonous chemistry, not by frost. And when he’s already laid on the floor, then you can hit with a hammer – nothing will be done to him.

How much will the floor in the hallway from porcelain stoneware cost:

The price of matte ceramic granite tiles is from $ 8 / sq.m (Belarusian), $ 13 / sq.m (Italian), polished – from $ 30 / sq.m. By the way, there is porcelain stoneware for $ 500 / sq. M. Laying porcelain stoneware is more expensive than laying ceramic tiles – $ 15–20 / sq.m.

Total: $ 300 for a 10-meter hallway.

Expert opinion

Dmitry Kolenko, head of the Moscow department of the Kerama Center firm (Russia), believes the following:

– Say what you like, but nothing can replace ceramic tiles in the hallway today – in terms of hygiene, warmth … of design. When a person has money, the first thing he wants to invest in is in home improvement. So, in my opinion, in a modern apartment, linoleum does not need to be laid even in the hallway. Porcelain stoneware? Why is he in the apartment? Do you have hundreds of people walking there? It is inappropriate to put expensive porcelain stoneware in living quarters.
I would not put laminate in the hallway. I have parquet flooring in my own house, I inherited it. He is many years old. And I have already decided to replace it with ceramic tiles. I chose the Kerama-Techno tile. It combines strength, beautiful design that is in no way inferior to Italian, and an affordable price – $ 10 / sq.m.

Vladimir Tarasenko, engineer of the “Casalgrande Padana” factory (Italy):

– I am convinced: in that part of the hallway, which is in contact with the street, there should be relief porcelain tiles – if the ice on the soles has not yet melted, then you can slip on the smooth tiles. It would be nice to put a rug on the entrance: woven rubber threads soaked in resin. The rest of the hallway or hallway is polished clean porcelain stoneware tiles. Believe me, this floor looks perfect.

But there is one very important point here – proper styling. The correct serrated tool, the correct adhesive must be used here. If someone put the tile on top of the cement saving two dollars, then the porcelain tile will bounce off very soon. Before gluing the tile, you need to spread it with the necessary glue, attach it to the place, tap it, and then tear it off and look at the back side: if it is moistened with glue all the way down to a millimeter, then everything is correct. And if it is moistened only in some places, be sure: the water will fall into the void, then freeze, and the tiles will “open up”.

In Italy, the combination of parquet with porcelain stoneware is now popular. Including in the hallway. This solution is beautiful, expensive, but not entirely competent in terms of operation. Because porcelain stoneware cannot be rubbed with any waxes, such as parquet. If wax accidentally gets on the porcelain stoneware, it will roll off, and you will have to scrape it off with a razor. But there is a good option for parquet lovers – porcelain stoneware with the texture and color of a living tree.

Integraf plant specialist Mikhail Sorochkin (Russia):

– As it turned out recently, and this is now being actively discussed among specialists, PVC coating contains fillers that release toxic tin compounds for many years. This applies to both household and commercial linoleum. Natural linoleum does not have such problems, but for the hallway it is less wear-resistant.

I believe that natural or artificial stone (to which I also include ceramic tiles) should be placed in the hallway. Especially right next to the front door. And let there be shoes with autumn mud and winter salt flowing to the floor. It’s very practical. Moreover, porcelain stoneware is stronger than ceramic tiles..

“Gold” under your feet

But, perhaps, the most exotic and little-known material for the hallway in our country is the so-called “golden” tile. By the way, it is produced only in South Korea..

“Gold” tiles – floor covering in the form of plates made of crushed natural stone and polymers. The tile structure has 6 layers. The lower, balancing layer (balance) is made of compacted PVC. The base is made of crushed natural stone mixed with natural resin. The central layer is made of a special type of fiberglass. There is a transparent layer, the so-called wear layer (there can be two of them) and the upper one – a UV protective film.

The tile can be used in all types of residential and public spaces. Its service life is almost the same as that of commercial PVC coatings. It is not afraid of water, it is resistant to fire and household chemicals, it does not get washed, it is not slippery, it can be easily cleaned with usual means.

By the way, Koreans express the degree of wear resistance of a product in a very peculiar way: by the number of steps that must be taken before the first signs of abrasion appear. In this case, it is 10,000,000 steps. Someone was not too lazy to calculate that the average family (in any case, the Korean one) must move around it 24 hours a day for 10 years in order to “go out” so many steps. In addition, experts consider it one of the most environmentally friendly floor coverings.

How much will this wonderful exotic cost:

Tiles $ 17-20 / sq.m ($ 170-200 for a ten-meter hallway). Special glue – $ 13 per pack (sold with tiles). One package is enough for 6 sq.m. For 10 sq. meters you need two packs of glue, which means – $ 26. Mandatory floor leveling – another $ 70.

Total: $ 266-296 for 10 meters of floor.

What how much, why and why?

So what do we understand? Here’s what. All of the above floor coverings, in principle, have the right to lie in the hallway. But for allergy sufferers it is still better not to lay artificial floor coverings (especially linoleum). On this score, by the way, there is another competent opinion..

These are the different points of view. Of course, each of us, buyers, always proceeds from personal needs, requirements and considerations. And yet, when going to the store, do not forget that…

The first. Suitable for the floor in the hallway:

• laminate (but necessarily not less than the 31st class of wear resistance, moreover, its prefabricated or waterproof options),
• artificial carpet (needle-punched or tufted with nylon thread and high density),
• PVC coating (preferably semi-commercial),
• ceramic tiles (with high wear resistance, matte or embossed),
• porcelain stoneware,
• and finally the Korean “gold” tiles.

Second. Ceramic and Korean “gold” tiles are designed for a service life of more than 10 years, for other types of recommended coatings the warranty period is from 5 to 10 years.