Consumer Reports names top flooring picks across five categories
Consumer Reports evaluated flooring options for durability in five categories: solid wood, engineered wood, laminate, vinyl, and porcelain tile. The standout in solid wood was Malibu Wide Plank Point Paradise French Oak HDMCSS846SF, priced at $7 per square foot, which performed well in moisture and stain resistance but fell short in resisting scratches and dents. For engineered wood, SmartCore Naturals Caribou Walnut LX73101121, at $4.20 per square foot, was the best for handling foot traffic. Leading the laminate category was Home Decorators Collection Nobelford Oak 56807 ($2/sq ft). LifeProof Harbor Pointe Hickory ($3/sq ft) and Pergo Outlast+ Vintage Pewter Oak ($2.90/sq ft) were also noteworthy. Stainmaster Barnes Oak LSM02-920 ($3.50/sq ft) was the top vinyl, while Florida Tile Home Collection Wind River Beige ($2.10/sq ft) excelled in porcelain tile.
Key facts
- Consumer Reports tested flooring in five categories: solid wood, engineered wood, laminate, vinyl, and porcelain tile.
- Malibu Wide Plank Point Paradise French Oak HDMCSS846SF was top-rated among solid wood flooring at $7/sq ft.
- SmartCore Naturals Caribou Walnut LX73101121 was top-rated among engineered wood at $4.20/sq ft.
- Home Decorators Collection Nobelford Oak 56807 was top-rated among laminate at $2/sq ft, sold exclusively at Home Depot.
- Stainmaster Barnes Oak LSM02-920 was top-rated among vinyl at $3.50/sq ft.
- Florida Tile Home Collection Wind River Beige CHDEWND016X24 was recommended among porcelain tile at $2.10/sq ft.
- Pergo Outlast+ Vintage Pewter Oak LF000848 offers a lifetime warranty and a separate pet-scratch guarantee.
- TrafficMaster Edwards Oak VTRHDDEVOAK6X36 had below-average scratch resistance.
- Marazzi Montagna Dapple Gray ULM7 is sold exclusively at Home Depot at $2/sq ft.
Entities
Institutions
- Consumer Reports
- Home Depot
Sources
- Quartz —