Different types of floor coverings
The type of floor covering you choose can depend on many different factors.
Things like your budget, the use of the room, cleaning and maintenance and just personal style and preference can all affect your choices.
Floor coverings in bathrooms and kitchens should be harder wearing, non-slip and easy to keep clean.
Floors in bedrooms and living areas should suit your lifestyle. Think about how easy they are to keep clean if you are likely to have more spills, or how secure they are if you or your family have mobility problems. Rugs can make a room look cosy, but they can also be easier to trip on if you have difficulty moving around the home.
There are plenty of high-street flooring shops to give you advice about what the best type of floor covering may be for you to suit your home, lifestyle, budget and needs. It is important to know your budget and priorities to make sure you buy the best option for you.
Common flooring types
Carpet
Carpet is a common and popular choice. It comes in many different styles and patterns, and can suit most budgets. Some of the benefits of carpet include:
- Well suited for living rooms and bedrooms
- Safe and easy to install
- Easy to maintain
- Economical and can suit a range of budgets
Some things to consider when thinking about installing carpets include:
- Requires regular vacuuming
- Can stain and wear over time
- Less suitable for wet areas, or entry and exits
- Can be susceptible to mould growth if exposed to prolonged moisture or damp
Tile floors
Tile floors are hardwearing and low-maintenance. They come in a large variety of patterns, sizes, materials and textures, and can suit a range of budgets from practical and low cost, to high end and luxury. Some of the benefits of tile flooring include:
- Well suited for kitchens and bathrooms
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
- Durable and waterproof
- Can be used for indoor and outdoor spaces
Some things to consider when thinking about installing tile floors include:
- Making sure to choose the right tile – some tiles are made for floors, others for walls – sometimes they can be used for both
- The slip rating and material of the tile – some tiles have slippery coatings and are not suitable for use in wet areas of the home
- The specific maintenance requirements of the tile – some tiles need to be sealed to avoid staining and may need to be re-sealed over their lifetime to keep them in good condition
- More expensive to install – whilst it is possible to lay a DIY tile floor, it is recommended to use a professional tile installer to make sure your floors are laid correctly and to avoid cracks, damage and future problems.
Vinyl floors
Vinyl flooring is a popular flooring for many homes. Vinyl floors comes in a wide range of styles and patterns and are suitable for a range of budgets. Some of the benefits of vinyl flooring include:
- Well suited for kitchens, bathrooms and areas prone to moisture
- Easy to install and more suitable for DIY projects
- Cost-effective and suits a range of budgets
- Easy to clean
Some things to consider when thinking about installing vinyl flooring include:
- Durability – can lift, rip or tear
- Has a shorter life span than tile or wood floors
- Can be difficult to remove if adhesive is used to install
- Quality – different types of vinyl will have differing thicknesses, stain resistance and feel underfoot.
Laminate floors
Laminate flooring is a popular and more economical alternative to real wood floors; it is suitable for use throughout the home and can be hard wearing. Laminate is a popular choice for families with children and pets as it is easy to keep clean and maintain. Some of the benefits of laminate floors include:
- Suitable for use around the home
- Low maintenance and easy to keep clean
- Can be resistant to scratches and stains
- Easier and cheaper to install than tile or hardwood floors
Some things to consider when thinking about installing laminate flooring include:
- Water resistance – not all laminate floors are suitable for use in wet areas of the home and some can be slippery when wet.
- Sound proofing – noise can transfer from upper floors to downstairs rooms. This can be a particular consideration if you live in an upper floor apartment or flat with neighbours below you. If you live in an upper floor flat or apartment, you should check to make sure there are no restrictions on installing laminate floors. New laminate floors should be laid with an underlay.
- Harder to replace than real wood floors and cannot be refinished.
Hardwood floors
Hardwood flooring is made from real timber and can be installed new or may already be in your home under your existing floor covering. Installing hardwood floors can be expensive, but sanding and refinishing existing floors can be a cost effective option. Some of the benefits of hardwood flooring include:
- Likely to add value to your home, if replacing old poorer condition floors
- Comes in a range of timbers and can be finished to suit your personal style
- Hardwearing and easy to maintain
- Easy to refinish and long lasting
Some things to consider when thinking about installing hardwood flooring include:
- Can be very expensive to install
- Sound proofing – noise can transfer from upper floors to downstairs rooms. This can be a particular consideration if you live in an upper floor apartment or flat with neighbours below you. If you live in an upper floor flat or apartment, you should check to make sure there are no restrictions on installing hardwood floors. New hardwood floors should be laid with an underlay.
- Can be susceptible to moisture and water damage, requiring maintenance and sealing.
