Different types of flooring: which is best for you?

With so many choices of flooring on the market, sometimes it’s hard to choose the best fit for your room. There are lots of factors that contribute to your preference of floors, whether you’re sticking to a tight budget, looking for specialised features, or trying to choose between soft or hard materials.

We’ve put together a guide to all the different types of flooring available, so you can pick the one that suits your room’s needs the best. Ready to give your home a makeover? Here’s our break down of all your options:

What flooring options are there?

Each type of flooring has its own advantages and disadvantages, and some work better than others for certain rooms in your home. Read on to see all the different types of flooring you can buy, and where they work best.

Vinyl

Whether you’re installing tiles, planks, or sheets, vinyl flooring is always a popular choice. It’s durable, versatile, and lasts a long time at a reasonable price, making it a cost-effective option.

Vinyl floors are easy to install, and each installation method has their own upsides. Planks give you a realistic wood look without the high price tag, while tiles can be individually replaced without having to remove your whole floor, and sheets make sure your flooring has no gaps.

Some vinyl floors are prone to damage from scratches and sharp objects, so be mindful of moving heavy furniture or dropping tools. Some vinyl options are also tough to repair or remove, so take care to avoid accidents if choosing these floors for your home.

Almost every room in your house is a good place to install vinyl flooring. Its durability is perfect for areas with high foot traffic, like living rooms and hallways, while waterproof vinyl options are great for kitchens and bathrooms.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Varied designs to suit a range of rooms
• Resistant to various types of damage

Cons:

• Can be damaged by sharp objects and heavy furniture
• Hard to remove or repair

Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT)

For a modern alternative to vinyl, try adding luxury vinyl tiles to your home. These multi-layered tiles are easy to fit, with options to either glue down or lock them into place, and offer a realistic looking replacement to other hard flooring materials.

LVT is incredibly resistant, protecting against damage from sunlight, moisture, heat, stains, and more. LVT is great for use in any room in your house, with a comfortable feel and a look that can imitate other flooring materials.

Like regular vinyl, however, you should be mindful of sharp objects around LVT. These tiles can’t be sanded or refurbished like some other options either, so if you’ll be keeping your flooring for years to come, expect the occasional replacement.

Pros:

• Resistant to damage – UV, stains, moisture, heat, etc.
• Easy fitting – lock LVT or glue-in LVT options
• Comfortable, textured, and a realistic replacement for other materials

Cons:

• Sharp and heavy objects can cause damage
• Can’t be refurbished like other materials

Laminate

Laminate is one of the most cost-effective flooring options on the market, with long-lasting properties at a low price. With a wide range of laminate types on offer, you can customise your flooring to suit your home’s needs. For example, thicker laminate can help soundproof your home, while different AC ratings (which grade how durable your laminate is on a scale of 1 to 5) can let you choose more resistant flooring for areas with heavier traffic.

It’s easy to install a laminate floor, even if you’re an amateur DIY-er, meaning you won’t have to spend on a professional to add it to your home. Some laminate can be damaged by high moisture, however, and its artificial look can be a turn off for some customers.

Almost any room in your home can be suitable for laminate floors, but be sure to check how waterproof your laminate is if you plan to use it in a kitchen or bathroom. Some options will be damaged by water, while others are more resistant.

Pros:

• Affordable and easy to fit
• Durable and sustainable
• Versatile in a number of rooms

Cons:

• Not resistant to water damage
• Can look artificial
• Can’t be sanded back like real wood

Wood

Wooden floors have been a popular option in interior design for years, adding a warm and comfortable feeling to any room. You’ll find a variety of choices available, but our range offers engineered wood for a more durable floor.

Engineered wood is one of the more affordable options when it comes to wooden flooring, made by gluing layers of wood together and adding a veneer for extra durability. It is more resistant to heat and moisture, and can be sanded like solid wood.

You’ll also find a number of finishes available for your flooring – brushed, lacquered, and oiled wood are all common options. These help your wood resist against damage more easily, but you’re likely to find that wood floors are more high-maintenance than other materials. Wooden flooring is best used in communal areas like hallways, bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms.

Pros:

• Natural look with sustainable elements
• Variety of finishes such as lacquer, brushed, oiled, etc.
• Durable and renewable through sanding – long term investment

Cons:

• Heavy maintenance – susceptible to sun damage and scratching
• Higher price-point than other solid floors

Carpet

For a softer option, consider adding a carpet to your room. While they’re not suitable for use in kitchens or bathrooms, they’re a classic way to add comfort and warmth to the rest of your home, and are available in a number of styles.

Carpets can be bought in a range of colours, and you’ll be able to customise your room with different textures for the ideal feel too. They’re great at absorbing noise to soundproof your home, are easy to fit, and come in hypoallergenic options for better hygiene.

In busier areas, carpeting can be prone to damage and stains over time, meaning you’ll need to take good care of your floors and maintain them properly to make the most of your purchase. Rolls of carpet are also more expensive than hard flooring options like laminate, so be sure you’re getting the right fit for your room before buying.

Pros:

• Comfortable and warm underfoot
• Versatile styles and designs 
• Easy to fit

Cons:

• Prone to stains and damage
• Attracts dust mites and dirt
• More expensive than laminate

How to choose the best flooring type for your room

Your perfect flooring will mostly come down to personal preference, but be sure that you’re choosing a material that won’t be damaged in your chosen room. Flooring types with less moisture resistance won’t be suitable for bathrooms, for example, while options that are prone to scratches could be damaged by moved furniture or pets in your living room.

Some flooring will also be available in a range of designs, so if you’re looking to match your décor, consider using our free samples to test their looks before you buy. You’ll also be able to test the feel of each material, letting you pick a comfortable fit. If you’re still looking for advice, you could try asking a flooring installation company for their input before renovating.

Ready to refresh your floors? Browse our online collection of all the different types of flooring today! With a range of materials, thicknesses, and finishes available, you’re sure to find the ideal fit for your home on our site.