Selecting the best flooring for your home is a big decision and will depend on a range of factors such as your budget, personal taste, which room you are flooring, and who lives in your house. If you have muddy footprints and pawprints running through the house most days, you probably won’t want to choose a cream carpet in your hallway. Similarly, if you live in a naturally quite chilly house, stone flooring is unlikely to be suitable for you. In this series we take a look at some of the most popular types of flooring and look at their pros and cons.
First up, let’s talk about wood. You can get three types of wood effect flooring: hardwood flooring, engineered wood flooring, and laminate flooring.
Hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring is very popular as it offers aesthetic appeal and is versatile enough to be adapted to suit a range of decors. This versatility is matched with the durability of a treated natural material; hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times to keep it looking in top condition.
While hardwood flooring is a choice that will probably last for decades, it does have a price tag to match, which can make it prohibitively expensive for some people. It is also not the best flooring for areas that are prone to damp or spills, such as the kitchen and bathroom. If you like the thought of hardwood, speak to a flooring specialist about the costs and benefits of different types, finishes and thicknesses, as well as underlay membranes and installation costs.
Engineered wood flooring
Engineered wood flooring is a relatively new product that has taken the flooring market by storm. A veneer of real wood is laid over a central layer of heat-formed wood, and a base layer. This offers the visual impact of hardwood while making it more resilient to changes in temperature and humidity. However, because the real wood layer is thin, engineered wood flooring can’t be sanded and refinished as many times as hardwood, so engineered wood is likely to need replacing in the next decade or so.
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring has had a bit of a bad reputation over the years, but advances in technology mean that it can often be hard to tell the difference between real wood and laminate. Hardwearing, scratch-proof and cheap, laminate flooring is great for an area with high footfall, where moisture is not a problem. As with most products, not all laminate flooring is of the same quality and poorly laid laminate can be creaky, so make sure you choose wisely and consider professional installation.
Choosing flooring is a significant investment, even if you go for the cheapest options. It is always a good idea to do your research and get a quote from a recommended flooring specialist. If you decide you want to source materials online to save money, still consider getting it fitted by a local floor installer. For more guidance on flooring, follow us on Twitter or Facebook, or browse our online directory to find a reliable trader near you.