The Different Types of Flooring For Homes in Oxford
The type of flooring you choose for your home will make all the difference between contrasting looks, feel, warmth and quality. You have to think about your budget first, then about how you want each room presented in aesthetics and comfort. Below we breakdown the many different types of flooring and their characteristics.
Different Types of Flooring
Wooden Flooring
Of all the different types of flooring available, the beauty of wood makes it one of the most popular for homes and its versatility is indisputable. It will fit in with your décor, traditional or contemporary, and there is a choice of solid or engineered, (a veneer surface of real wood glued to several layers of plywood).
You can select from stunning natural woods including oak, maple, cherry, walnut, mahogany and ash; the more exotic woods such as teak, mesquite and Jarrah come at a premium cost.
An advantage with solid wood floors is that they can be sanded and refinished many times, ensuring both durability and flexibility, and as every wood offers its own unique combination of colour and grain, you can be assured of individuality.
The downside is that wood is not waterproof, and although stains can be sanded out, bowing often cannot be avoided. Also, it is important to note that wood is not suitable for use with underfloor heating.
Laminate Flooring
With so many options available, laminate flooring offers a variety of design solutions and is suitable for any room in your home or workplace.
It’s a multi-layer synthetic flooring product that has been fused together using a special lamination technique, and because of its flexibility, comes in many finishes such as embossed, textured or smooth, with various effects, including stone, wood, slate and tiles, often with a choice of a matt or gloss finish.
Not only is laminate flooring easy to install, but it also requires very little maintenance, is resistant to stains, waterproof and is easy to keep hygienically clean.
The downside of this type of flooring is that it is hard and cold underfoot and can be slippery when wet, although, at extra cost, a slip-resistant layer is sometimes added. Another disadvantage is that as it’s synthetic, it’s not possible to sand or refinish scuff marks.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is extremely popular as it is resistant to heavy use, so perfect for your high-traffic areas. There is a wide range of different looks, including tiles, wood, stone, parquet, brick and chequerboard, all easily achieved without the painstaking task of designing and laying the pattern. As it’s available in various styles, thickness and textures, it suits any room or lifestyle.
Although there is a choice of different types of flooring, vinyl is perfect for homes with small children, pets and allergy sufferers as it is easy to clean.
Also, its water-resistant qualities make it is versatile enough to use in kitchens and bathrooms, however, due to its soft texture, it can be easily marked by pointed heels and sharp objects, the repair of which is not easy. If you have underfloor heating then you should check carefully because most vinyl flooring is not compatible.
Carpet
With so many styles, patterns and fabrics available, it’s best that you plan which type of carpet will go where to ensure maximum lifespan. The more luxurious, softer pile is wonderful in bedrooms, whilst a low-pile, dense tuft is perfect for high traffic areas.
Wool is more expensive but offers exceptional qualities, including durability, insulation and noise reduction, whilst Polypropylene is tough and resistant to stains. Polyamide provides a great range of colours and Polyester is frequently used for textured or shag pile carpets.
Please feel free to contact Lynch Brother Homes, we are always happy to help you choose and fit the ideal flooring for your home.
