5 durable mudroom floors you can install yourself

Mudroom floors have to be more than just beautiful. They have to be tough enough to withstand all the foot and paw traffic, water, gravel, and sand that get tracked in. And that’s not even counting all the backpacks, boots, sandals, and jackets that get dumped in the entryway!

In essence, these mudroom floors check off a lot of boxes: durable, easy-to-clean, and easy-to-install. The floors should be water-resistant so they aren’t damaged by water and standing puddles. Plus, they need to look great and fit with almost any décor.

Do-it-yourselfers add another box to the list: easy-to-install. Fortunately, there are a list of floors that are fairly easy-to-install and perform well in mudrooms and entryways.

Porcelain tile

Porcelain tile is incredibly durable and water-resistant. Because of the latter, porcelain tile can be installed in moisture-prone rooms like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms. Porcelain tile is also hard and hard to scratch, perfect for a room where backpacks, boots, and items regularly get dumped.

This durable tile can also be installed over radiant floor heating, which is a great option for homeowners who want warmth underfoot. Porcelain tile is easy-to-care for, requiring only a regular sweep and occasional mop.

This mudroom flooring is a classic option that comes in a wide variety of styles and colors. Square porcelain tiles come in color variations that add interest to a room. Longer porcelain tiles make a room look more modern and spacious. For added interest, porcelain tiles look great in a herringbone pattern that sets a room apart. When staining is a concern, porcelain tile can be installed with a dark grout that hides stains.

For handy do-it-yourselfers, porcelain tile is a fairly easy project that requires a few tools, spacers, and a complete set of instructions. The subfloor should be prepped and leveled. Tile flooring typically is installed over a cement backer board; ask a flooring professional for specific manufacturer guidelines to ensure that the warranty is not voided during installation.

Luxury vinyl plank

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is perfect for homeowners who want the look of wood in a mudroom without worry about water damage. These floors are incredibly durable, but more prone to scratching than porcelain tile. In spite of its softness, this mudroom floor is still incredibly durable. It is softer underfoot, and also can be installed over radiant floor heating (with these tips for a quality LVP and radiant heat installation).

This luxury vinyl floor comes in a variety of colors and styles. Many styles closely resemble wood and tile and come in neutral and eye-catching wood tones. Unlike wood, it is water-resistant and immune to water damage from spills and sitting water.

Luxury vinyl plank comes in products that snap together, making them fairly easy-to-install. (Ask a flooring professional to see easy DIY LVP products.) The subfloor should be leveled before installation. LVP flooring should be brought into the room at least three days before installing to prevent any warping and buckling.

Sheet vinyl

Sheet vinyl floors may be the toughest of the tough floors, making it a natural choice for mudrooms. They are less likely to damage from water because they don’t have seams that water can seep through. Some sheet vinyl floors have even withstood minor flooding. In rare cases, sheet vinyl may scratch.

Like most luxury vinyl flooring, sheet vinyl is incredibly easy-to-clean. It requires only a regular sweep and occasional mop. It’s also incredibly soft underfoot and feels very comfortable to walk on.

Sheet vinyl comes in a variety of styles and colors that fits with almost any mudroom decor. Most sheet vinyl floors resemble wood and tile.

Unfortunately, this flooring is the most complicated of the mudroom floors to install. The subfloor should be prepped before install and floor should be brought in for acclimation before installation. Some manufacturers may require an underlayment install with sheet vinyl flooring. Ask a flooring professional for information on manufacturer specifications when purchasing.