Some flooring material is better than others for mudrooms, since people often track moisture from rain and snow into the room. Vinyl, laminate and concrete flooring are all durable and withstand the constant use typical of a mudroom, but these materials tend to be slippery when wet. Wood flooring is not a good choice because it does not withstand moisture well and it requires care. Better choices for a mudroom floor are quarry tile, terracotta, slate, porcelain and ceramic tile.
Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile that is manufactured at higher temperatures than traditional ceramic tile. This process makes porcelain tiles hard and dense, so they are highly durable and scratch-resistant. Because porcelain tile is not porous, it does not absorb much water and is resistant to stains. It is highly recommended by the World Floor Covering Association for areas that get heavy use, like mudrooms.
Ceramic tile is made from clay that is kiln-fired, creating a hard and durable exterior. The tiles are colored by infusing dye and other coloring. Unlike many other flooring choices, ceramic tile can be purchased in a wide range of standard colors. It is also possible to have ceramic tiles made in a custom color. The best choice of color for ceramic tile in a mudroom is a dark color to help camouflage dirt. Porcelain ceramic tile is particularly useful for mudrooms because the manufacturing process allows the color to permeate the entire tile so scratches and chips are less noticeable.
Ceramic tiles come in glazed and unglazed finishes. Glazed ceramic tiles are suited for mudrooms because they have a hard surface that rejects water and stains. Tiles that are glazed also have more durability than unglazed ceramic tiles, another plus for a mudroom.