There are several key questions you need to ask yourself:
- How much maintenance do they need – daily, monthly, yearly etc?
- Am I worried about denting, scratching or do you like the distressed look?
- 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
- How tough does it need to be? – even children’s toys can damage some surfaces
- Do I want a product that needs an expansion gap or something that fits right up to my skirting?
- What is my sub-floor (i.e. what will be underneath it)? Will what I choose be suitable to go over it?
- How much work am I prepared to have done to give a level surface if my floors prove uneven?
- What will suit the style of my home and the look I want?
- Do I need any water resistance and moisture/steam resistance?
- 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
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
- 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
- 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