HDB flooring: Measure wear resistance before choosing materials (metrics)

The most durable type of HDB flooring depends on your priorities, but options like homogeneous tiles, epoxy, or vinyl with a high wear layer (measured in mils or mm) offer excellent resistance to scratches and wear.

Wear resistance is often measured using tests like the Taber Abrasion Test (cycles to wear through a coating) or the Armstrong Wear Layer Test, indicating how well a flooring material withstands foot traffic and abrasion.

For HDB flooring, a wear layer of at least 0.3mm (12 mils) is recommended for residential use, while 0.5mm (20 mils) or higher is ideal for high-traffic areas or commercial applications.

Different materials have inherently different wear resistance. For example, harder materials like porcelain or granite tiles will generally resist scratches and wear better than softer materials like wood or linoleum.

Regular cleaning, using appropriate cleaning products, placing mats at entrances, and avoiding dragging heavy objects across the floor can help maintain the wear resistance of your HDB flooring.