#Collaborative post
Investing in flooring can be a big investment, so making sure you get it right for your home is key to getting the best value for money.
Like most households, ours is busy with a combination of children and pets coming and going all day long pretty much. With this in mind, it has meant that we have a combination of flooring throughout our home to suit the needs of the family.
If you are looking to invest in new flooring and are wondering what the best flooring is for your home, here is a breakdown of your choices.
Carpet –
Carpet is my favourite choice for comfort; however, it is not the most practical when it comes to muddy paws and mucky children.
There is just something about carpet that makes it easy under the feet and perfect for most rooms in the home. However, depending on the area, it might not be the best choice for a through space with high traffic or at the entrance to an external door. Especially if you have children or pets!
Pros:
- Tops the list for comfort, you can’t beat the feeling of carpet under your feet.
- Warm in the winter months.
- Wide range of colours and designs to pick from.
Cons:
- Can be a pain to keep clean, with mucky paws and children!
Solid wood flooring –
Solid wood flooring can look amazing in any room in the house, with it becoming more popular in homes.
Built to stand the test of time, it is becoming a more popular choice as people are looking to invest for the future with their homes.
Pros:
- Good quality flooring that is built to stand the test of time. If you look after the flooring it will stand the test of time.
- Easy to keep clean.
- Works well in all trends.
Cons:
- Can be more expensive, but the investment should last longer.
- Can be cold, but installed over underfloor heating would counteract this.
Vinyl flooring –
If you are looking for a low-cost option, then vinyl may be the perfect option for you.
This is built to last but can also be anti-scratch, anti-stain, waterproof and moisture-resistant too, which is why it is a popular option for rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Pros:
- A low-cost approach to flooring that looks great.
- Easy to keep clean.
- Wide choice of designs.
Cons:
- Usually needs a professional to install.
Laminate flooring –
If you are not in a position to invest in solid wooden flooring, another option to consider is laminate flooring. It will give you a similar effect at a fraction of costs.
With it easily available, and usually on offer, it is easy to see why this is an attractive choice for many homes.
Pros:
- A low-cost approach to flooring.
- Easy to keep clean.
- Wide choice of designs, available in most flooring/DIY stores
Cons:
- Can be a little tricky to install.
- May not last as long as some of the other options depending on usage/care.
Tile flooring –
We currently have tile flooring in our kitchen and it works well for us, in a high-traffic area. It has been down for about 10 years now too and looks just as good as when it went down.
Tiles can be a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms, although a little tricky and time-consuming to put down. They are quick to keep clean and don’t take too much effort to keep them in good order.
Pros:
- Easy to keep clean.
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- Can take a while to install.
- Get very cold in the winter if you do not have underfloor heating!
Whichever flooring you choose to pick for your home, making sure you think about the area you are installing is going to be key. Flooring is a big investment for any room you are working on, so getting it right is really important.
It is not just the installation you need to consider, but keeping the flooring in the best condition you can once it is down is just as important. Take time to look into what would be required to keep the flooring in the best condition once you have it down.