New flooring is more durable and long-lasting than ever before, but it still requires a bit of protective maintenance. If you have pets, softer floors can be scratched. Porous floors can be stained. Even hard tiles and durable wood planks need protection. Here are three ways you can make your new floor look like new for longer:

1. Choose the right materials for your lifestyle.

Not every type of flooring is a good match for your home. If you have children, wood-look laminate floors or tile planks might be a better fit. If your job or hobbies mean a lot of dirt gets tracked through the house, you might want to avoid easily stained and etched flooring materials like marble.

Fortunately, you can choose almost any style and color regardless of the actual material. You can pick hard stones that are printed with a variety of shades and patterns. Tile can look like anything from brick to wood. So base the appearance on your design preferences and the material based on your needs.

2. Seal the floors and keep a schedule.

Sealing and staining your floors according to professional recommendations is the best way to protect your floor for decades. Porous materials like marble and quartz need to be sealed to keep chemicals and dirt out of their surface. You also need to keep light-colored grout lines sealed so they don’t dim and darken. Talk to your flooring supplier about the specific materials and schedules that are best for each type of flooring.

3. Keep them covered with area rugs.

Another great tactic for protecting your floors is to decorate your home with area rugs. These rugs can add pops of color and style. They also completely protect the surface from physical damage. You can rest your furniture on the rugs and line the most common walkways to prevent scuffing or scratches.

No matter what flooring is the right fit for you and your home, Flooring Innovations is here to help. Browse our selection of materials, styles, and area rugs here.