Is Real Wood Flooring still a good idea?
100% yes wood flooring is still a good idea! In certain environments it is the only appropriate option. It is also the only floor type that can be fully renewed multiple times. It also has the ability to last longer than almost any other floor type.
Wood flooring is one of the only floor types that is known to be a benefit when selling properties and is even considered to be an investment.
It can be sanded down and refinished multiple times depending on the wear layer of the floor enabling it to look brand new again and again for decades.
You also have the unique option to sand it down and use a different stain and finish to make it look completely different without actually changing the floor.
Is Laminate Flooring still worth buying?
Yes laminate flooring still has its place in the market and is unique in its own way. When it comes to durable budget friendly laminate is difficult to compete with.
Laminate is the only floor type that has been termed ‘bomb proof’. Whilst this is obviously not true literally, it is an incredibly robust material. Laminate often lasts decades in hard use environments like hairdresser saloons where and caster wheel chairs cause high wear and tear.
High quality laminate floors even now have registered embossed surfaces which are textured to replicate the look and feel of wood grain. This competes further with real wood floors at a much lower price.
The only area that laminate falls a little short in is resistance to water. Even water resistant laminate floors are not waterproof.
Is Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring still popular?
Luxury vinyl tile flooring is still the best all-rounder and the go to choice for new home builders. Whilst it’s not quite as robust as laminate, it is still extremely durable and has the huge advantage of being 100% waterproof.
High Quality LVT flooring also has registered embossed surfaces making them even more difficult to differentiate from real wood or stone. Quality versions really do need to be inspected close up to identify them correctly.
Glue down / Dryback LVT versions also have the benefit of being one of the easiest floor types to replace individual planks. This is due to the installation method which does not connect each plank or tile to those around them. They are glued down individually which enables them to be removed and replaced individually.
What floors can I install myself?
This is a great questions as installing flooring yourself can save thousands in install costs. Here are a few easy to install options.
Laminate Flooring – does not require any glue as the planks click together by design and are then simply laid (floated) over the underlay.
Click LVT Flooring – the planks click together by design without glue and the planks usually have underlay built into them and are floated over the subfloor.
Click Engineered Wood Flooring – some engineered wood floors have glue free click together planks and engineered wood floors can be floated on underlay. No glue needed at all.
Sheet Vinyl – probably easier to get wrong than the above options but still a viable option.
Is it cheaper to buy flooring online?
Due to the large number of online suppliers and the competitive market you can definitely find the best prices online. You have access to thousands of products at the tip of your fingers. You will also not spend a penny on travelling to shops.
Another huge advantage of shopping for flooring online is with a couple of clicks you can order free samples that are posted straight to your home. Not only is this free and offered by most online suppliers, the samples arrive at your door for you to see at home.
Most industries are increasingly moving online and so is the flooring industry.
Which is better Click or Glue Down LVT?
They are both made from the same material but constructed in different ways and both have their advantages.
Click LVT – is much easier to install and the rigid planks and tiles are more similar to the wood and stone that they are imitating. However it is more expensive to buy and more difficult to replace individual planks as they are connected together during the install.
Glue Down LVT – is cheaper to buy and easier to replace individual planks. It’s also more stable because the planks or tiles are glued in place. However it is more involved and expensive to install and slightly harder and colder to walk on.
Both types have genuine advantages and suit different people and uses.
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