Flooring Options & Advice

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Wooden flooring advantages and disadvantages

The beauty of a solid wooden floor is the feeling of quality and warmth. Solid oak flooring is a perfect example of high quality flooring that people have come to look for when changing their homes to create a timeless look. Solid wood floors are a popular choice for hallways, bedrooms and lounges because it looks great and feels comfortable underfoot.

Pros

• High quality and long lasting
• Easy to take care of

Cons

• Must be fixed down during installation
• Cannot be used with underfloor heating and not suitable for conservatories
   

What is engineered wood flooring?

People choose engineered wood flooring as it has an attractive appearance, with options that include both contemporary and rustic floor styles. Engineered flooring is made up of a thin layer of real wood, which is secured on top of a plywood base. Thanks to the way engineered wood flooring is made, it can withstand fairly high levels of moisture, which is ideal for bathrooms, but not without its drawbacks.

Pros

• Can be used with underfloor heating
• Can be sanded and veneered to refresh the appearance of the wood

Cons

• Can be more expensive than other types of flooring
• Can only be refurbished so many times, depending on the thickness of the boards

Installing parquet flooring

Engineered parquet flooring is made up of bonded blocks that can be arranged in patterns, often herringbone style but can be arranged into other designs, to give a pleasing and attractive look to a room. Because of this, people like parquet flooring for its ability to create a more personalised look, but it’s also able to deal with changes in moisture and temperature.

Pros

• Lots of different patterns and styles
• Can be used in kitchens and bathrooms with minimal warping

Cons

• Can be scratched fairly easily
• Needs ongoing polishing and protecting

The benefits of laminate flooring

When people buy laminate flooring, the decision comes from the fact it’s usually cheaper than solid wood - it’s also fairly easy to install, using a simple click system. Even though installation is simpler than other types of flooring, it’s still helpful to know a few pros and cons of laminate flooring.

Pros

• Can handle moisture and is easy to clean
• Durable and scratch resistant

Cons

• Not good for bathrooms or places where water can pool
• Pattern repetition – always work from several packs at the same time to make sure you get a mix of patterns

Types of vinyl flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring is popular with many home owners because it ticks several boxes, namely being easy to keep clean, water resistant and affordable. As technology has improved we now have styles that look very realistic with natural-looking effects, including marble and wood vinyl flooring.

Pros

• Water resistant, so great for kitchens and bathrooms
• Very affordable compared to other types of flooring

Cons

• Can be dented under heavy objects, of even cut against sharp edges
• If glue is used it can be very hard to remove

Disclaimer: The information contained on this page is intended as an overall introduction and is not intended as specific advice from a qualified professional. Travis Perkins aims to avoid, but accepts no liability, in the case that any information stated is out of date.