{"id":5792,"date":"2019-12-09T18:12:01","date_gmt":"2019-12-09T17:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5792"},"modified":"2024-05-16T15:22:11","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T14:22:11","slug":"which-type-of-flooring-is-right-for-you-123","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/which-type-of-flooring-is-right-for-you-123\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Type of Flooring is Right for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Changing the\nflooring in the home can really help to transform the space. However, with so\nmany different types of flooring available today, it can be difficult knowing\nwhich type to invest in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>We have teamed up with <a href=\"https:\/\/lifestyleflooringuk.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">Lifestyle Flooring UK<\/a> to look at the different types of flooring available and how to choose the right one for your living space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Solid wood<\/strong> flooring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the\nmost popular flooring options, solid wood provides an elegant, high-end design.\nAvailable in a wide variety of types, these types of floors are typically glued\nor nailed down for a secure fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\ntypically come with an oiled or lacquered finish, enhancing their durability.\nYou\u2019ll also find you have a variety of different species to choose from such as\noak, maple, walnut and cherry. While there are a lot of different types of\nfloors which produce a wooden effect, you just can\u2019t beat the aesthetics of the\nreal thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a\nnumber of advantages of choosing real wood flooring. The aesthetics are one of\nthe main ones, guaranteeing a luxurious and sumptuous finish. These types of\nfloors are also really durable, with many capable of being refinished multiple\ntimes to maintain that new look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also\nfind solid wood flooring is fairly easy to keep clean. This is especially true\nif they\u2019ve been coated with a tough lacquer or oil surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Disadvantages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s\nimportant to take into account the disadvantages of solid wood before\ninstalling it in the home. One of the main cons of this type of flooring is\nthat it does warp when exposed to variations in temperature and moisture. This\nmakes it unsuitable for use in areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is also\none of the more expensive types of flooring on the market. It doesn\u2019t stand up\nas well against scratches and ear and tear as engineered or luxury vinyl\nflooring for example. This means you\u2019ll need to re-finish them more frequently\nthan you would with other flooring types. They also aren\u2019t suitable for use\nwith underfloor heating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, not\nall solid wood floors are manufactured in a sustainable way. So, if\neco-friendly flooring is high on your list of priorities, solid wood may not be\nthe best option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best for <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Solid wood\nfloors are best for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Low traffic areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lounge and dining rooms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Homes without pets or children<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Engineered wood<\/strong> flooring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want\nthe real wood effect without the expense, engineered wood flooring is the next\nbest thing. Featuring a real wood top layer, <a href=\"https:\/\/lifestyleflooringuk.co.uk\/blog\/post\/is-engineered-wood-real-wood-flooring\">these floors<\/a> are constructed to be much sturdier\nthan solid wood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Engineered-Wood-Flooring-Guest.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5798\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Engineered-Wood-Flooring-Guest.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Engineered-Wood-Flooring-Guest-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The middle\nand lower layers are typically constructed of PDF, a more affordable material\nthan solid wood. This also means they are less likely to warp when exposed to\ntemperature and moisture changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll find\nhundreds of different designs on offer. The installation method is often easier\nthan real wood flooring too, thanks to the tongue and groove system commonly\nused. These systems enable you to slot the planks together without nails or\nadhesive. You can even find some click-system engineered wood floors. These are\neven easier to install, even for those with no prior experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Advantages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The main\nadvantages of engineered wood floors include affordability, durability and\nluxury designs. The fact they last for many years to come, makes them a great\nvalue investment. You won\u2019t need to re-finish them often, with every 15-20\nyears typically proving enough to keep them looking new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engineered\nwood floors provide the exact same aesthetic benefits as real wood, without the\nheavy maintenance. As they don\u2019t warp in the same way as solid wood, they can\nalso be installed in more areas of the home. Many are even compatible with\nunderfloor heating, enhancing their comfort in the colder weather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an\nadditional benefit, engineered floors only use real wood within their top\nlayer. This means fewer trees need to be chopped to create them. So, compared\nto solid wood floors, these ones are much better for the environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Disadvantages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all\ntypes of flooring, engineered wood floors do have some disadvantages to be\naware of. While they can be more durable than solid wood, they are still prone\nto scratches and dents. You can minimise the risk of this by paying attention\nto the finish of the floor. Some come with much tougher lacquer or oiled\nsurfaces, better protecting them against wear and tear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You are\nstill somewhat restricted by where you can install them too. While they are\nmore moisture resistant than solid wood, it is still recommended you avoid\ninstalling them in the bathroom or kitchen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best for<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Engineered wood\nfloors are best for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Those seeking a real wood effect at a lower price tag<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Underfloor heating<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Homes with pets and children (compared to solid wood)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Laminate<\/strong> flooring <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Laminate\nflooring has come a long way over the years. These days, you\u2019ll find a wide\nrange of types available and they are designed to a much better standard than\nthey once were. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These floors\nare constructed much in the same way as engineered wood. However, they have a\nmuch thinner top layer and it isn\u2019t made from real wood. Instead, the top layer\nis a photo layer, producing a realistic wooden effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Advantages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Laminate\nfloors have a lot of advantages over engineered or solid wood. They are much\neasier to install and maintain. Most come with easy to use click systems, and\nthey don\u2019t come with the same risks as real wooden flooring. This means they\nare generally better protected against daily wear and tear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also\nfind laminate floors are available in a wide range of designs. As well as\nrealistic wooden effects, you can find laminate floors which boast a real stone\neffect too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Disadvantages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a\nfew disadvantages to laminate flooring to be aware of. The first is that they\ncan become quite slippery. However, you can combat this by making sure you\ninvest in a laminate floor with a textured surface for better grip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another\ndisadvantage is lifespan. While you can invest in laminate floors which last\nfor many years to come, out of all of the different types of flooring on offer,\nthey have the lowest lifespan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best for<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Laminate\nfloors are best for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High traffic areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bathrooms if investing in waterproof laminate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Those on a budget<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Luxury vinyl<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Last but\ncertainly not least, luxury vinyl flooring is one of the most popular choices\nfor homes and businesses. Compared to standard vinyl, it boasts a design which\nis closer to laminate flooring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a soft\nfeel underfoot, this is one of the more durable types of flooring on the\nmarket. It is often waterproof, or at least water resistant, making it suitable\nfor all areas. There are different types on offer, including cushioned vinyl\nflooring and sound reducing flooring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Advantages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll find\nluxury vinyl floors come with a lot of great advantages. Their affordability\nand huge choice of designs are two of the main ones. Out of all of the\ndifferent flooring types listed, luxury vinyl floors are the cheapest. They are\nalso designed to look exactly like real wood or stone, providing luxury designs\nat a budget-friendly cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\ndurability of these floors is also fantastic. You\u2019ll find with minimum\nmaintenance these floors will last for over a decade. They are also really easy\nto install, with most supplied with a click system which everyone will find\neasy to use. They can be safely used with underfloor heating and many are\nnaturally water-resistant.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Disadvantages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although\nluxury vinyl flooring is considered one of the best options for the home, it\ndoes come with some disadvantages. For example, not all vinyl floors are\ncreated equal. So, you will find some which look really fake and flimsy. To\navoid this, make sure you\u2019re choosing a company which offers only the best\nluxury vinyl floors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best for<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Every room, including bathrooms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Budget-friendly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easy installation and maintenance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, there are a lot of flooring options\navailable. Each has its own pros and cons and it is important to take these\ninto account. The above are just some of the things to consider when you\u2019re\nlooking for a new floor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Changing the flooring in the home can really help to transform the space. However, with so many different types of flooring available today, it can be difficult knowing which type to invest in.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[617,64],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-flooring","category-home-improvements"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5792"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5792\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6291,"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5792\/revisions\/6291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.hip-consultant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}