With the floor there are a number of options to consider, depending on a range of factors such as your taste, your budget and the room you’re decorating. Of course, many homeowners look to cut costs wherever possible, but something to remember is that the floor takes a lot of wear and tear compared to other parts of the home.
As such, whilst you may be able to cut corners and opt for lower grade materials and DIY installation, in the long run you could be faced with large repair bills or complete renovation jobs.
So take a look through the various options available to you and decide on something that would be suitable for your needs.
Hardwood Flooring
Wooden floors have become very popular in the last decade and have replaced carpet as the number one choice for living rooms. Wooden flooring popularity has increased for a number of reasons such as its elegant appeal, the fact it can be fitted reasonably quickly and is versatile too. On top of this, any damage can be sanded down and the flooring will look as good as new. Prices range depending on the quality of wood you decide on, with harder woods costing more and lasting longer.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered wooden flooring is created from several layers which are glued together to provide sturdiness and durability. Engineered wood offers you the chance to be environmentally friendly too, whilst it’s better at resisting humidity than solid wood options.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring isn’t all that common, but with a resistance to moisture and green credentials it’s starting to creep into properties around the UK. Bamboo is softer than other woods available, and as a result is gentler on your joints. This soft floor also helps to reduce noise. There are downsides to bamboo flooring now, with typical problems being it can be expensive and brittle. Despite its durability it can be prone to scratches too.
Cork Flooring
Cork is another flooring type which although has yet to gain nationwide popularity, is increasing in use. Cork is eco-friendly, whilst sharing the same soft qualities as bamboo. Likewise it can also be an expensive option.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is easily the cheapest option out there for you to consider and for those on a tight budget is the perfect answer. Laminate is easy to install, easy to clean and durable to the daily routines of home life. Laminate is effectively a photographic image of wood on an MDF base, giving the impression of real wood. It doesn’t carry that same visual appeal though and can rarely be repaired when damaged, as reflected in its cheap price.
Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring
Vinyl is the cheapest option for flooring and despite a bad reputation for low end varieties, modern day lino and vinyl has improved significantly. Both can be rolled out or fitted in squares, making it easy for DIY.
Carpets
Carpet offers the chance to freshen up a room and is normally picked when comfort is of great need. Prices vary, but carpet can be inexpensive depending on the quality you choose. Cordless carpet is the cheapest option out there and is best used in areas that will suffer a lot of wear such as halls and staircases. Softer and more expensive options can be used in luxury rooms such as the lounge or bedroom. Carpet tends to be priced as square foot and you’ll need a professional to fit the flooring. In most cases you’ll need underlay fitted too.
Tile flooring
Tile is a household favourite for rooms where there’s likely to be moisture exposure, such as the kitchen and bathroom. It’s not too difficult to lay and offers a clean finish which is easy to maintain and highly durable. Again, the quality and design will have a huge impact on cost and prices can vary depending on your budget.