The quality carpet and flooring specialist

The Quality Carpet & Flooring Specialist

Wood, laminate, vinyls & how do I choose?
Making a choice between the different types of hard flooring and what is right for you takes a lot of honesty on what you expect from it, how you will look after it and how long you want it to last.
 
There are several key questions you need to ask yourself:
 
  1. How much maintenance do they need – daily, monthly, yearly etc?
  2. Am I worried about denting, scratching or do you like the distressed look?
  3. Do I mind if there is colour variation or graining/knotting or do I want it to be more uniform and know the colour I’m getting
  4. How tough does it need to be? – even children’s toys can damage some surfaces
  5. Do I want a product that needs an expansion gap or something that fits right up to my skirting?
  6. What is my sub-floor (i.e. what will be underneath it)? Will what I choose be suitable to go over it?
  7. How much work am I prepared to have done to give a level surface if my floors prove uneven?
  8. What will suit the style of my home and the look I want?
  9. Do I need any water resistance and moisture/steam resistance?
  10. If it’s a new concrete floor have I allowed enough time for it dry before laying? British Standards state – 1mm depth per day for drying time 
As a general rule:

Woods:
  • will need a regular maintenance routine
  • surface can be softer than other products
  • variations in colour, texture, graining, hardness
  • specific fixing required on some – will depend on sub-floor you have
  • not good in areas of temperature variation or moisture 
Laminates:
  • will need a regular but far less onerous maintenance routine
  • what you see is what you get with colour and patterning/grain
  • does need some expansion room, easy to lay in most instances
  • good quality ones have a good tough, scratch resistant surface 
Vinyls:
  • soft backed vinyls offer comfort but less durability
  • Solid vinyl tiles are far more durable and available in both tile & woodplank form
  • will need a regular but simple maintenance routine
  • good scratch resistance, water resistant, reasonably warm under foot
Still unsure? Then feel free to come in and chat about your home and what you need.