If you are in the market for new floors, there are many options available. By combining functionality with aesthetics, it is possible to find a flooring material that ticks all the boxes, and with a choice of natural or man-made solutions, there is a range of popular flooring materials that warrant consideration, and with that in mind, here are the main contenders for effective domestic flooring.
Solid Timber Flooring – Despite the high price tag, hardwood flooring is still top of the list of preferred choices. There’s little that can beat a professionally installed hardwood floor, which should last a lifetime, and whether you prefer Oak, walnut, or Jarrah, the list of timber species is long. If you search online for local flooring stores, you will have a list from which to base your search, and by visiting their showroom, you can see and experience timber flooring in a domestic setting.
Engineered Flooring– If your heart is set on a solid timber floor, but you find the prices too high, why not settle for engineered flooring? The outer veneer is real timber, while the inner core is made from plywood, leaving you with an affordable alternative to solid timber that ticks all the boxes. The range of finishes allows you to be selective and once the floor is laid, no one would ever think it wasn’t solid timber flooring.
Laminate Flooring– Perhaps the best of the composites, laminate flooring offers the look and feel of real timber, but at a much-reduced price. Laminate flooring is durable and long-lasting and comes in a range of finishes that include stone, timber and even slate. Easy to install, laminate flooring comes with a special cork backing that adds a softness underfoot, and being totally waterproof, it is ideal for those high traffic areas.
Luxury Vinyl– Luxury vinyl comes in tile form and is very easy to install, making it a very popular choice for Australian homeowners. The finish is stunning, thanks to a high-resolution digital image that is imprinted just underneath the protective layer, with timber, stone and slate designs that really do look like the real thing. Affordable and very hardwearing, luxury vinyl ticks all the boxes, and if you have a hardwood floor in your living room, luxury vinyl is the ideal choice for the kitchen and bathroom, due to its durability and finish.
Hybrid Flooring– A relative newcomer, hybrid flooring takes the durability of laminate and combines it with the stunning look of vinyl, to give you the perfect flooring finish. Not all flooring companies offer hybrid flooring, but with an online search, you should be able to locate a supplier in your area. Hybrid flooring is the result of technological advances and for many homeowners, is the flooring material of choice, as it comes in stunning designs, can be installed on any substrate and is very affordable.
Stone Flooring– Without doubt the most expensive of all the flooring options, having a solid stone floor fitted should last you a lifetime and the only thing that is not a plus, is the coldness underfoot, which is very noticeable in the winter. The majority of people who prefer stone floors opt for a composite, as it gives you the look without the high cost, yet if you have the budget, there are stone masons who can create the perfect stone flooring.
Aside from the above, there are a few other flooring materials, such as bamboo and cork, and whatever your favourite finish, you can find it in a composite material. The choice is yours, and with some quote comparing, you should be able to find a company that will give you value for money.
