Hard flooring is beautiful, but where do you start? There are so many options and price points, but there are also other things to consider like installation and durability as well as the aesthetics like grain pattern, colour and sheen. Then there’s important things like the right type for the right room (being waterproof etc). Let’s take a look at how to approach this simply by starting with the right type.

Know the Types of Hard Flooring

It’s not just a case of budget that should dictate what to choose, there are other factors too, so knowing the main differences will help start in the right place.

Laminate

Laminate flooring has been around a long time. It’s made from compressed fibreboard planks covered with a photographic image of wood with a protective coating

Pros

• Hard wearing for children and pets.
  • Most have a waterproof surface.
  • Economical entry level ranges up to your more prestige
  • Click-lock designs for simple DIY
  • Not affected by temperature changes (excessive heat)

Cons

• Some are not as realistic as others
  • Not as quiet to walk on.
  • Must be installed correctly on a level subfloor.

Engineered Timber

Engineered flooring is made from 3 layers of real wood glued together to make a plank about 14mm thick (this can vary). The top layer is the actual species is about 4mm. Comes in a click system like laminate meaning no glue.

Pros

• Due to its construction, engineered wood flooring is more stable than a piece of solid wood, and less prone to changes caused by a room’s temperature or humidity
  • No board is the same with the natural colours of timber.
  • Cheaper than comparable solid-wood planks

Cons

• More prone to dinting than laminate
  • Can be a lot more expensive than laminate

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is really PVC (polyvinyl chloride resins) that thanks to recent advances in technology can be made into very convincing wooden flooring planks. Vinyl can convincingly imitate wood, marble or tile.

Pros

• Quiet to walk on
  • Waterproof
  • Low maintenance & easy to clean

Cons

• Scratch easier than laminate
  • Shorter lifespan than engineered timber Choose the Right Cleaning Tools
  • Requires floor preparation before installation

Hybrid

Hybrid is the most recent flooring innovation, combining the best attributes of both laminate and vinyl to create a rigid floating floor.

Pros

• Waterproof
  • Low maintenance & easy to clean
  • Soft, quiet and comfy to walk on

Cons

• Generally more expensive than laminate or vinyl
  • Cannot be installed in areas of direct sunlight (excessive heat)
  • Can show fading and discolouration with excessive UV exposure
  • Weaker joining system than laminate.