How to choose the best flooring for your renovation

There are so many options for flooring to consider when you are renovating your home that it can be overwhelming. But choosing the right floor is such an important part of bringing the entire space and look together and of ensuring that everything works on a functional level too. It just isn’t about how it looks, as it has to fit the needs of the room and your family.

The appearance will obviously play a huge part in your decision, but it should not be the only thing to consider. You must bear in mind that you'll have a budget, you'll need to assess whether the product is children and pet friendly, and you'll need to decide whether the product you prefer can be fitted in a high moisture surrounding such as a bathroom, for example.

So where would you start if you were planning a room and choosing the flooring options as you certainly have a lot of choice to select from. Here are some options which will help you make your decision:

Hardwood
Let's start with the classic wooden floor. Hardwood has been one of the most popular options for years, not only for the robust wear and tear it offers, but also for its unique way of just fitting in in any type of home. Unfortunately hardwood is not cheap to install, and the cost of the product tends to be quite high especially for the top grade. But if you like the look of hardwood there are other options that are more cost effective.

Laminate
Laminate has become more popular as the alternative to hardwood flooring as this offers an almost identical look but at a lower price and with a lot more durability. It's made with plywood and compressed fibre and then a thin layer of veneer is placed on top to seal it. Manufacturers are able to produce many designs which can include stone effect and tile options. All in all, laminate can be a very good alternative at a more reasonable price that is almost always pet, children and shoe resistant. The only downside to this product is that it can be prone to water damage and, since it is hard to replace one area, you will find that you would have to replace the whole floor.

Engineered wood
This product looks like hardwood floor but is more durable and costs a lot less. Engineered wood is made up of plywood, with a small layer of veneer covered with a further layer on the top of real wood. As this is not hardwood all the way through it’s less susceptible to the sort of damage that hardwood can suffer from, and it is certainly not as expensive to install. Engineered wood is more stable than hardwood and comes in the form of clickable boards, which makes it easier to install, but it can only be refinished a couple of times as the top layer is relatively thin. It's a great alternative choice to hardwood flooring though.

Vinyl
Vinyl has to be my favourite currently. It comes in a wide range of formats, finishes and colours, which means you can work different options according to the budget available. With today’s luxury vinyls you can achieve a more expensive look but at a cheaper price. It’s not only hard wearing, it's also sustainable and environmentally friendly in comparison to other floorings. Ranges from Amtico and Karndean are both available to purchase from our store.

Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles have long been the favoured option for bathrooms and WCs as they are moisture resistant and very durable. Ceramic tiles are available in a huge range of colours and patterns, which means they are versatile to incorporate with many designs. The primary finishes are porcelain, glazed, terracotta and glazed quarry. Each finish provides different textures and ranges in so many variants. In addition, they're easy to keep clean and exceptionally hard wearing. The only downside is that they can be quite cold underfoot if you don't have underfloor heating installed. Prices range from low to high, and here at Strive For Design we hold four direct accounts with manufacturers in Europe. To see some of our designs, why not pop into our showroom from July onwards when there will be lots to look at!

Carpet
Last but not least is good old carpet. Carpets feature in most homes across the board, and it’s hard to find any home that doesn’t have it in at least a couple of rooms. It’s available in lots of textures, styles and colours, and more notably it's super comfortable to walk on depending on which grade you buy. The higher the grade the longer it will last. The pros to having carpet are that it's warm, snuggly and slip resistant. It’s also easy to install and can last a long time if you take good care of it. The downsides to having carpet are that you have to keep it clean, and it's not an ideal choice if you or your family suffer from allergies. At Strive For Design we hold four ranges of carpet to suit all budgets and we have our own fitters so we can utilise the ranges within our interior designs.

Leigh Hall from Strive for Design is an interior designer in Cambridge and Newmarket, so for more ideas on how to choose the correct flooring for your project, feel free to please give her a call on 01223 622 688, drop in or contact us to make an appointment.