11 Jun 2019

What flooring to buy for a family home

Choosing the right floor can be a  bit of a challenge, especially with the number of different products on the market. In all honesty, there is no right or wrong choice and decisions will vary depending on what budget you have. All types of flooring have their positive properties so in most cases its a matter of what you value most with your everyday living.

A great way to do this is by process of elimination. Looking at the positives and negatives and also what challenges the flooring will face in everyday life. For example, if you have a family of five, a cat, and two dogs, the decision you make may be different from another family with just an only child. Or even if you have a big family, but you’re passionate about design and style, yet still require durability, then that could lead you down another route. This again comes down to what you value and what you can afford. Rest assured there is something for everyone when choosing what flooring to buy for a family home. 

Let’s start off by looking at some options. to make things easier for you we are going to highlight the key features in each type of flooring and also note the negative.  

What flooring to buy for a family home – Laminate Flooring 

Laminate flooring is still one of the most popular options when choosing what flooring to buy for a family home. Laminate flooring is extremely durable and hygienic, meaning you don’t have to worry as much about scratches and dents and the maintenance is minimal. In most cases, laminate flooring is easy to install due to the click systems, making it very popular with the ‘Do it yourself’ market. 

 

Key Features for Laminate flooring 

• Very hardwearing – Perfect for families that don’t want to worry about their flooring getting ruined.
•  Low Maintenance – A quick sweep and clean will have the flooring look like new again.
• Easy to Install – The go-to flooring for those who want to tackle the job themselves.
• Value for Money – Laminate flooring can vary in price but all are a great value and will be a fraction of the cost of real wood.
• Massive Choice – There is a colossal amount for laminate flooring decors to choose from including Tile effect laminate flooring and long Board laminate flooring.
• Suitable for underfloor heating 

Worth noting section

Laminate flooring sometimes gets criticized for being a bit cold underfoot, especially if the flooring is being installed directly onto the concrete subfloor or above a drafty basement. What will help this issue is the use of a high tog rated underlay. There are two specific underlays that we recommend to retain the heating in your living space. The Finefloor techniboard XPS and Fibre board underlay has outstanding thermal properties. Another downside to laminate flooring is the noise factor. Laminate flooring has a very dense surface, which can magnify sounds such as pets nails and hard based shoes. A fantastic way to improve this is by using a sound reducing underlay such as the  Timbertech Silver Plus and Timbertech acoustic plus.   

 

What flooring to buy in a family home – Luxury Vinyl Flooring 

 

There are so many reasons why luxury vinyl flooring is the right choice for a family home. There are some exceptional designs to choose from, so you can create a custom floor that’s as individual as your family. No doubt about it, family homes can be loud, but your flooring doesn’t have to be. Luxury Vinyl has brilliant sound absorbing properties, that are matched with scratch and impact resistant surface. What’s more, you can install luxury vinyl flooring in practically any room on the house including bathrooms.  

Key Features on Luxury Vinyl Flooring 

• Water-Proof – A great advantage in any home is to have a water-proof floor. Ideally suited to tackle everyday accidents. 
• Warm underfoot – No need for slippers with luxury vinyl flooring, as it adapts to the room temperature. 
• So durable – Its the go-to product for the commercial sector, due to its hardwearing properties
• Bespoke designs – You can really show off your living space with luxury vinyl. You can include a border or design strip to really set the room off. 
• SShhhhh.. – a fantastic product to ensure you get minimal noise underfoot.
• Great for Pets – It has a softer surface than laminate, so it doesn’t harm the paws and claws of our furry little friends. Alongside it being water-proof and quieter. 

Worth Noting Section

We would recommend getting as much advice as possible when deciding on luxury vinyl. Complications can occur when the sub-floor preparations are not up to the correct standard, so it always best practice to ask a professional their opinion. The designs available in luxury vinyl flooring are endless. However, it may come at a price. Expect to pay large fees for a funky design with borders. Using the correct adhesive is worth noting also. Depending on the situation and room the flooring is being installed in, the adhesives to be used may differ. Again, this is why its also best to check with a professional fitter. 

 

What flooring to buy in a family home – Engineered Wood Flooring

 

Engineered wood flooring is a wonderful choice for a family home. It offers a beauty that other floor coverings are trying to replicate. What’s more,  engineered wood can be sanded down and re-treated to bring the flooring back to life. You can even change the finish on your flooring with coloured oils or lacquers. Engineered is also quiet and warm underfoot, providing the coziest of environment for your family home.

Key features on Engineered Flooring 

• Longevity – Engineered Wood Flooring can last a lifetime, providing its look after well
• Cozy and Warm – Engineered Wood has great thermal value and really insulates the home.
• Unique and beautiful –  Every Engineered wood floor is unique and real, it’s not an imitation!! 
• Interchangeable – What amazing about Engineered wood, is you can sand it down and start again. Change the colour and change the finish and it’s like you have a whole new floor. 
• Suitable for Underfloor Heating – Unlike solid wood you can install engineered wood with the use of underfloor heating. 

 

 

Worth Noting Section

Engineered flooring is a natural product and with natural products comes responsibility. Real wood does have a tendency to mark easier than a laminate or vinyl flooring. A way to protect your engineered flooring is to have mats by all external doors and use protector pads underneath all movable furniture. Engineered flooring is a luxury product and that will normally reflect in the price if it’s cheap to buy, it has probably been cheaply made. 

 

What flooring to buy in a family home – Verdict 

As we mentioned at the beginning, there is no real right or wrong answer. Be sure you weigh up all the pros and cons of each type of product and do not outspend your means. There are plenty of products available that will suit your budget and lifestyle, Hopefully, you can now make an informed decision.