HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FLOORING (PART ONE)
Because we don’t have the opportunity to choose flooring very often it’s something that people can really freak out about. And quite rightly. You really don’t want to get it wrong. Choosing the wrong floor is not as fixable as choosing a hideous paint colour or ordering a sofa that’s too big.
My first advice is always to choose your flooring before you make any other design decisions. Your floor is literally the foundation for the rest of the design. It sets the tone stylistically for the colour, furniture and accessories that will follow. So don’t rush this decision. Also, it’s bloody expensive so you need to know what it’s costing you and what you have left to spend on everything else.
So, now that you are taking the time to consider your flooring carefully, here’s the low-down on flooring.
1. LAMINATE
So I could keep this paragraph very simple and say don’t do it. The end.
But that would be rude so here is a (slightly) more balanced view of laminate.
The technical bit is that it’s made of crappy fibreboard with a high-definition photo of wood (or stone etc) on top, with a layer of resin to make it water-resistant and easy to clean. So if you are easily fooled by a photo then this could be the flooring of your dreams.
The main issue is that, because of its affordable nature, experts often aren’t called in to install it. It’s usually been laid by an enthusiastic homeowner or hired buffoon who does a really bad job. This results in a really poor finish that screams “I am fibreboard pretending to be wood you’ll want to rip me up in two years time”.
The only time you should ever consider laminate is if it’s a really top-end brand, fitted by a real expert. But if you’ve got the cash to do that there are alternatives.
2. REAL WOOD FLOORING
At the opposite end of the spectrum, there is hardwood flooring. Here we have a product that doesn’t lie. It is actual wood and not a photo of wood. That makes it totally beautiful and durable. But it’s hugely expensive and not always practical. It’s a no-go in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Plus it’s a non-starter with underfloor heating. And if you can afford real wood flooring, you can probably afford underfloor heating. So it’s not a common choice. But if you fancy it for your living room or hallway and want the authenticity and luxury of real wood then go for it, you won’t regret it.
3. ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING
This invention is a real gem. All the upsides of real wood flooring plus you can use it with underfloor heating and you won’t need a second mortgage to install it. It’s much more affordable as it’s a thin layer of real wood on top of sandwiched layers of softwood or plywood, which gives it stability. The thicker the top layer of real wood the more expensive it is. The beauty of this product is that once it’s laid you cannot tell the difference between real wood and engineered wood. The biggest difference is that because the top layer is only a few millimetres thick you can only re-sand and finish it a couple of times, but it will still last you 20 years. So if you’ve always dreamed of an affordable oak parquet floor then this could be the one for you.
It’s still not recommended for bathrooms, and some would say not for kitchens either but I’ve always had this kind of flooring in my kitchens. It’s fine for the day-to-day moisture a kitchen will throw at it, but if you were unlucky enough to have a leaking dishwasher that wasn’t remedied immediately then you could be facing an insurance claim to restore the damage.
NOTE: My strict rule with real wood or engineered wood is to remove your skirting boards first. I know, I know. It’s extra money and hassle and decorating. But the alternative is a naff, cheap-looking beading around the edge of your flooring which is unforgivable when you’ve spent all that money on beautiful wooden flooring. It will cheapen your floor and you will always regret it. So please, please don’t go down the beading route.
4. LUXURY VINYL TILE
This is hands down the most easy to maintain floor. It’s durable, hygienic, affordable, warm to the touch, and easy to install.
It’s come a long way since the 1930s and now comes in a whole range including wood planks, tile, stone, parquet and brick. It is also textured to help convince you it’s a natural material and not actually plastic.
That’s the only problem with it. It’s essentially a plastic floor with a fancy name. So it’s never going to create the atmosphere of wood or tile as it doesn’t create the same acoustics. It’s also not a sustainable product for those of you who factor in the planet when making a big purchase like this.
But if you really want the look of wood and your budget is tight then it’s a good option. It’s also perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. And it’s compatible with underfloor heating provided you use the correct glue. You can also lift and replace individual planks if they ever get damaged. And it can be laid right up to your skirting too so no ugly beading detail around the edge of your room. That’s a big tick.
5. Tile
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most common types we use in our homes. They are durable and practical for family life. Perfect for kitchens and bathrooms as well as high-traffic areas like hallways.
Ceramics are more budget-friendly and are easy and cheaper to install. They come in unglazed for a more rustic, textured finish. Or glazed for a more protective and easy-to-clean surface.
Porcelain is more expensive and trickier to install so best avoided for DIY projects. The beauty of porcelain is its ability to replicate natural finishes such as stone and wood without any of the upkeep or wear and tear you’d normally get with these materials.
Tiles also work brilliantly with underfloor heating as they are thin and conduct the heat, passing it onto your feet very quickly. Whereas real wood for example would take much longer as it’s so thick. So if you want the look of wood in your swanky new kitchen/diner extension with underfloor heating then porcelain tiles could be perfect.
The downside of tiles is they can be very cold (if you don’t have the luxury of underfloor heating) so they can be a bit unpleasant first thing on a winter’s morning. And they can also be visually cold. So if you are planning on tiling a large, open-plan space be sure to add textures and materials that add warmth such as wood, rattan, rugs and soft furnishings. Otherwise, you could end up with a room that doesn’t feel very friendly or inviting.
Tiles are also very tough, so if your toddler falls face-first, it’s going to hurt. Plus there is the grout. Grout stains very easily so be careful with your spag bol.
6. Carpet
Carpet is something we probably all have experience of living with. Warm underfoot and easy to make look good with a quick hoover.
There are many types of carpet pile, weave and material so it’s worth doing your research and actually visiting one of those cringe carpet superstores to take advantage of their knowledge. But this is a quick overview…
Polyprop carpets are all the rage as they are cheap and really easy to clean. So when your dog is sick or you’re careless with your red wide you won’t need to stress out. But, they have a bit of a nasty sheen to them, which screams “I’m synthetic”. They flatten really easily, so not great for high-traffic areas. And because they are synthetic they give off nasties into the atmosphere so not good for small people or allergy sufferers.
Wool carpets are natural and sustainable so a much more family (and planet) friendly product to bring into your home. They are very durable and last longer and because they are natural fibres they offer natural heat and sound insulation. They are also beautiful looking with a real luxury feel. The big downside is they cost more and you have to be more careful to avoid accidents as they stain much more easily.
Sisal carpets are plant-based so they are very sustainable and are a wonderful way of bringing a natural and organic look into your home. They are also really tough and durable so great for high-traffic areas like hallways and stairs. The downside like wool is that will stain more easily and they have a heavily textured feel so avoid in homes where you all run round barefoot.
Hopefully, by now you will start to come to a decision about what type of flooring is best for you and your budget. Once you know that, you can then progress to what colour, style and patterns to choose to work with the look of your room. More about that in next week’s blog 🙂
Or if you can’t wait until then why not get in touch? I work across Hampshire and can help you with these kinds of big interior design decisions. You don’t have to do it on your own 🙂
