When choosing a new flooring for your home there are 5 key questions you should ask to make sure your making the right choice. Whether or not you already have an idea of what you would like, it is always a good idea to keep an open mind, especially as your new floor is a long term investment.
Should I get carpet, wood, tile, or laminate flooring?
The very first thing we consider when thinking about a new floor for our homes is whether we want a homely carpet, resilient tiles, cost effective laminate or a long-lasting wooden floor. Your choice will obviously depend on the room your new flooring is going into, but here are a few general rules to go by during the decision-making process.
Carpets
Carpets are generally avoided in the kitchen, and in hallways leading outdoors, as mud or cooking stains can be difficult to remove and can happen quite frequently. Carpets are a good choice for making a room feel warm and cosy, as well as coming in a very large variety of colours, and are a more popular option for a living area or bedroom.
Wood
Wood flooring is the most durable option, and is also low maintenance and easily to clean. It is common for a very well used living area, and halls and stairways due to its resilience. However it isn’t indestructible, and can be sensitive to water. For example wood flooring can expand if water is left to soak into the wood, so avoiding it in the bathroom might be a wise choice.
Tiled
Tiled floors are a great choice for bathrooms and kitchens, they are completely waterproof, easy to clean off spillages, and are very durable. However, tiles do require a little more maintenance than you may think, especially as the grout between the tiles can need a lot of cleaning to keep it white. Tiles can be a cold option, feeling rather clinical to the touch, and may not bring a homely feel to your room.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is a fast and inexpensive choice. Depending on your personal preference it can be ideal for any room, as it is easy to clean and comes in more variations of styles and colours than you can look through. However, due to the way it’s manufactured it is vulnerable to the odd chip and is less durable than other wood flooring.
Wooden flooring – what choices are there?
All the different choices of wood flooring can seem a little confusing. Unlike carpets and tiles there are more than one type of wooden flooring; you’ve got solid wood, engineered wood and laminate flooring.
Solid wood flooring is made from one piece of wood – it’s a more traditional option and is very robust. Because it is made from solid wood it is usually the most expensive option, but is often considered an investment as it will need to be replaced rarely.
Engineered wood flooring is a popular alternative to solid wood flooring; this is simply 2 or more layers of wood layered in the panels of flooring. The top layer is solid wood, with layers underneath it. Engineered wood flooring is still durable and can be more cost effective, also it can be developed in a larger variety of styles and colours.
Lastly, laminate flooring is widely considered an option of wood flooring. This still a panel of layered wood, but the top layer is an image of wood, rather than a solid piece of wood. It’s less hardwearing over time but is the cheapest of all of these options.
Why should I get different samples of flooring before I commit to a purchase?
It is important to get samples of any choice of flooring before you actually commit to buying, as many colours can look different in the room, compared to in the show room or photograph. Different lighting and colours on the walls can make a big different to what your flooring looks like, and the wrong colour can darken a room or not complement your colour schemes.
Do I need to buy any extras that will increase the cost?
It is always important to check what extras you may need before buying your flooring. Most of us know that carpet usually needs underlay, but if you chose solid wood flooring, you should check if it needs any further treatment or aftercare to keep it in good condition.
Should I pay to get it fitted or fit it myself?
If you know how to, and obviously have the time to do so, fitting the flooring yourself is a much more cost effective option. But let’s be honest, most of us wouldn’t know where to start, or definitely not have the time to do so! When you are getting flooring installation quotes, always ask if this includes fitting the carpet – some quotes will, and some will not, and the installer can end up charging you more money than the floor is worth to fit it for you. Always check before you buy and get a few quotes from different suppliers to make sure your price is competitive.
