Laminate flooring can be either modern laminate or reclaimed hardwood. Wooden floors offer warmth and texture that homeowners love, whether they are real or fake. Laminate flooring
What is it?
Laminate flooring consists of a compressed fibreboard plank that is covered with a photo of wood and a protective overlay.
What does laminate flooring cost?
Prices start at PS3/square metre. But be aware, the cheapest varieties are smooth and don’t seem very realistic.
Bevelled edges and more diverse images, as well as embossed features such knots, will give the product a more natural look. However, it will be more expensive.
Laying laminate flooring in a location you know.
Living rooms, playrooms, and studies are all areas that see a lot of traffic. Some products come with a waterproof core that manufacturers claim is suitable for use in bathrooms and kitchens.
To ensure your laminate flooring is not invalidated, make sure you carefully read the guarantee before installing laminate flooring in these rooms.
The pros of laminate flooring
Both hard and cheap
Click-locks are easy to install
A wide range of imitations available of natural materials
Con’s of laminate flooring
Laminates are not guaranteed to look or feel the same as the real thing.
Over time, the joins will wear and laminate can easily become swollen from moisture. It is difficult to repair damaged surfaces.
Homebuyers can be deterred by poorly laid laminate
Engineered Wood Flooring
What is it?
Each engineered wooden floorboard is composed of three to four layers made of wood and glued together to make a plank about 14mm thick. It is covered with a veneer of real wood about 4mm thick. If it becomes worn, scuffed or damaged, it can be sanded and treated to recover the original finish.
You may be able to get it with a click and lock installation. This doesn’t require adhesive. For tongue-and groove versions, glue is required.
How much does engineered hardwood flooring cost?
Prices for woods are as low as PS19 per square foot, but can go up to PS166 for the most expensive.
Where can you lay engineered hardwood flooring?
Living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms are all possible. Although it is stronger than solid wood, it should still be avoided in areas where it will be exposed for prolonged periods of time to humidity like a bathroom. Avoid using it on stairs because it can be tedious and fiddly to place.
It can be hard to get a great finish around corners.
Advantages of engineered hardwood flooring
Because of its construction, engineered hardwood flooring is more sturdy than solid wood and less susceptible to temperature or humidity changes.
It can be more attractive than laminate flooring
Cheaper than similar solid-wood planks
The pros and cons of engineered hardwood flooring
Tongue and groove planks can be more difficult than click-lock.
It can be much more expensive than laminate
Solid wood flooring
What is it?
Solid wood boards are made from one piece, usually 18-20mm thick. It is typically fitted with tongue-and-groove. The hardness score of all woods indicates how easily they are damaged, dented, and worn.
Solid wood flooring can also be sanded to restore its appearance. This is dependent on how deep the tongue is from the top.
How much does solid hardwood flooring cost?
Prices will vary depending on the price of raw wood. They can range from PS15 per sq m for the cheapest options, to PS82 for tropical hardwoods.
Where can you lay solid wood flooring
It is best to have a fairly constant humidity. It’s especially good in hallways and living areas that you can display it.
Benefits of solid wood flooring
This jacket has a classic style and feel.
When you sell or rent your home, it is important to appeal to buyers/tenants
The benefits of solid wood flooring
Solid wood flooring expands in damp conditions but shrinks when dry.
It must be glued down or nailed to the wall. This makes it difficult to install. Because the boards change in shape after being manufactured, it can be difficult to put them together.
The starting price for solid wood flooring is higher than for other types of wood flooring.
Solid wood floorboards can amplify sound so rugs are an option if you have boards upstairs
Check out FTD Laminate for cream oak flooring.
Reclaimed wood flooring
What is it?
Reclaimed wood flooring can be timber that has been used on an older property, but it has been salvaged and is now available for reuse.
If you’re lucky enough to find perfectly preserved floorboards beneath decades-old carpet, you may be able to live in an old house. If you don’t have the original floorboards, you can find vintage planks online.
How much does reclaimed hardwood flooring cost?
Prices can vary depending upon where you buy them. There are many places where you can find them for free or at a low price. But boards found in salvage yards usually start from around PS25 per square foot. It can go up to PS100 per square meter depending on the condition of the boards and how wide they are.
How to lay reclaimed hardwood flooring?
Reclaimed timber flooring is possible to be installed almost anywhere. However, it should not be used in bathrooms as moisture can cause the timbers to expand and crack. You should clean up any spillages immediately and ventilate the bathroom.
The pros and cons of reclaimed hardwood flooring
Reusing wood from an existing structure is one option for eco-friendly flooring.
Vintage wood looks great and adds value to your home.
Reclaimed wood is easy to paint, white-wash or stain.
It is generally very durable
The cons of reclaimed wood flooring
It can cost up to four-five times as much as new floorboards
Woodworm. Watch out for woodworm.
It can contain hidden dangers such as protruding nails if you don’t buy it from someone who will process it.
Solid wood floorboards can amplify sound so rugs are an option if you have boards upstairs
Parquet flooring
What is it?
Parquet flooring can be easily identified by its short wooden blocks or strips that are arranged into a pattern. This is often herringbone or basket weave.
What does parquet flooring price?
Prices for parquet range from PS25 per square foot to well into the hundreds.
What is the best place to lay parquet flooring
Parquet flooring is good for all areas of a property, but not in bathrooms or other humid areas.
The pros and cons of parquet flooring
Useful for creating interesting patterns
It is durable and can withstand high traffic levels
The cons of parquet flooring
Installing these items is costly and time-consuming.
Can fade in direct sun and be damaged by water
Bamboo flooring
What is it?
Bamboo, technically a grass instead of a hardwood, can be turned into floorboards that are extremely durable and look very much like natural hardwood.
Bamboo matures in about a quarter the time of hardwood trees. This means that it is more sustainable to harvest.
How much does bamboo flooring cost?
Prices will vary, but prices start at around PS20 per square meter.
Where can I lay bamboo flooring
Bamboo can be used in almost any room. It is less water-resistant than hardwood and therefore better to avoid bamboo in bathrooms.
The pros of bamboo flooring
It is a resource that can be sustained. Bamboo grows fast and is replenished approximately every five years.
Strand-woven bamboo is stronger than oak flooring making it more durable
It is good for allergies, as bamboo repels pollen and dust mites.
Bamboo is water resistant, making it less likely that mould and mildew will develop.
Simple to clean
Benefits of bamboo flooring
The adhesive in some bamboos contains formaldehyde. This is a toxic substance which can result in small amounts over time of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs).
Water resistant, but not waterproof. Too much water can leave unsightly marks and cause flooring to warp.
Carbonization is applied to darker bamboo. This weakens it and makes it more susceptible to damage.
You don’t have to scratch!
Wood-effect tiles
What are they?
Wood effect tiles offer a beautiful combination of the beauty of natural timber and the durability of tiles. They are both practical and affordable.
How much are wood-effect tiles worth?
From just PS12 to more than PS150 per square-metre
How to lay wood-effect tile?
Wood-effect tiles can be waterproofed and are more durable than hardwood or laminate floors. This makes them ideal for high traffic areas like hallways and bathrooms. Many companies offer matching outdoor and indoor tiles so you can carry your flooring outside on patios and porches.
Pros and cons of wood-effect tile
These are great for any room. They don’t get wet and won’t turn brown or yellow.
Easy to maintain – easy to clean and stain resistant
You have a wide selection of colors and styles to choose.
Cons of wood effect tiles
Can you be cold with or without underfloor heating
Avoid sound absorbtion, it can make it difficult to move on
The grout is what holds dirt and debris in place.
Cork flooring
What is it?
Cork, which is both sustainable and eco-friendly, is actually made of bark from the cork oak tree. The bark splits naturally every 9-15 year and can be harvested safely without causing any harm to the trees. The bark grows back and the cycle goes on for many more years.
Cork is ground, compressed, and then rolled into sheets that are bonded to resins for flooring.
How much does cork flooring cost?
Prices can vary but cork tiles start at around PS20 per square metre.
How to lay cork flooring
Cork can provide a soft cushioning effect, making it an excellent choice for children’s bedrooms and playrooms. You can use cork in the bedroom, as it retains warmth and feels warm underfoot. Cork is a great choice for people with allergies, since it doesn’t absorb dust or mites.
Cork floor tiles have an invisible varnish to protect them from water stains and other damage. The cork can warp or discolor if the seal in the room isn’t perfect. High humidity can cause cork curling, so be sure to avoid bathrooms.
The pros and cons of cork flooring
Cork is a good insulation, so it absorbs sound and keeps you naturally warm throughout the year.
It doesn’t absorb dust or mites so it is good for allergy sufferers.
Durable and shock-absorbing, it can withstand heavy foot traffic.
Natural, rapidly renewable cork can also be biodegradable at its end, making it an eco-friendly choice
It is naturally resistant to mould and mildew
Cork flooring: The pros and cons
Hardwood floors will last longer than vinyl floors.
If you don’t prepare it properly, it could cause problems later on. It must be clean, dry, and level
Cork’s soft nature makes it susceptible to scratches and furniture damage.