Picking a flooring can be a really confusing experience. There are so many different options out there and your decision shouldn’t only be based around how it looks. How if feels, its durability and how easy it is to clean are all important factors to consider when selecting a flooring option that suits you best. And, like everything, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach…you really need to think about your lifestyle and your style preferences to get this right. THINK ABOUT YOUR VISION! I’m going to help you through what is available and the pros and cons of these choices. Come on boots, let’s get walking’!
Please excuse me while I wipe away my drool. This has got to be the ultimate in terms of looks when it comes to flooring. You can’t beat the feel and the sound of genuine timber flooring. And don’t even get me started if it is original timber flooring in a Reno project…..GOALS! But there are certainly some points to consider before hammering this one home.
| Pros | Cons |
| Genuine beauty – you can’t beat the look! It brings so much warmth and character to your home | Cost to install is higher than other flooring options, but once installed and with the proper maintenance, it can last a lifetime |
| Hugh variety of colours available and you can also stain later on down the track to change the look | Can be affected by humidity and fluctuations in temperature – may swell in cool, damp weather and shrink in warm and dry conditions |
| Relatively easy to clean by sweeping or vacuuming and mopping with the correct equipment | More prone to termite attacks than other flooring options |
| Non-toxic, organic, allergy friendly and does not tend to trap unpleasant odours | Can be damaged by excessive water and harsh detergents and therefore not recommended for all the areas in your home eg. kitchens and bathrooms |
| Adds value to your home | Prone to dents, stains and scratches |
| Environmentally sustainable | Can be noisy, especially when installing on multiple story homes |
Vinyl planks have come a long way since they were first introduced to the market. It’s a great option due to its cost, versatility, durability and visual appearance. There are some really luxurious options available that can look and feel really high end…but without the price tag of hardwood timber flooring.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cost effective and tends to be cheaper than many other flooring options | Easily damaged by sharp or heavy furniture and objects or punctured by something like a falling knife |
| Comfortable due to it’s foam underlay | Tough to remove if renovating or replacing |
| Quieter than timber | Does not add value to your property like hardwood timber flooring |
| Easy to maintain through regular sweeping and mopping | Some vinyls can dent if a heavy object is dropped on them |
| Waterproof and can be installed all over the house including the kitchen and bathroom | Not environmentally sustainable |
| Visually appealing as it can easily mimic genuine timber flooring | Can sometimes be difficult to install – highly recommended to have a professional install this type of flooring |
| Stain resistant as spills can be easily wiped with a cloth |
Bamboo is extremely eco-friendly and cost effective as a flooring option. It can add warmth, character and beauty to your home.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lots of colour varieties available | Thinner than hardwood and therefore can be quite cold. |
| Much more cost effective than timber hardwood flooring | Some bamboo flooring can be produced using toxic glues – be sure to check |
| Can be used in damp climates where hardwood floors would not be recommended | Susceptible to scratching and scuff marks over time. Can also be damaged and discoloured by sunlight – you may need to move your furniture to prevent discolouration |
| Highly environmentally sustainable | Being a natural material, too much moisture can cause warping, discolouration and growth of mould. Excessive and continued water can cause bamboo to swell and weaken |
| Easy maintenance and durable if sealed twice a year | Sensitive to humidity and can swell and shrink |
This is the product I get most excited about, because it is what we have chosen to install in our last two properties. Our flooring is the Quick Step Impressive Ultra and is BEYOND amazing. While our flooring is premium in both quality and cost (going top of the range always is), there are lots of different laminate options across the board that come with lots of different price tags. Timber laminate flooring is made from composite wood pressed together and can be more cost effective than hardwood flooring. It can also be quite easy to install if you have a little experience…Dave and I have installed our own flooring on the past two builds, however Dave is highly experienced in construction. You’ll need to discuss and research this yourself.
| Pros | Cons |
| Waterproof options make this suitable for every room in the home, including kitchens and bathrooms. | Not all finishes are waterproof – discuss this with supplier |
| Click system prevents dust and dirt gathering between the boards | Can not be sanded and re-finnished to give a new appearance like timber hardwood flooring |
| Can be placed on top of underfloor heating systems when installed correctly | Like all products, they vary from one manufacturer to another. Do your research on product reviews |
| Solid, pleasant sound | Pattern repetition occurs, as there are generally 5-10 different patterns in the boards when manufactured |
| Extremely strong, hardwearing and durable and very difficult to scratch | As with other products, a small number of chemical sensitive individual may have reactions to the glues ad resins used in the flooring. Do your research! |
| Will not stain like other flooring options | |
| Keeps original colour even when exposed to sunlight | |
| Easy to maintain and clean | |
| Allergy friendly | |
| Quick and easy to install – no need for glue, mortar or nails | |
| Huge variety of colours and finishes – from timber look to natural stone and concrete look finishes. | |
| Warmer to the touch than other flooring such as bamboo and vinyl planks. | |
| Variety of different thicknesses |
Engineered flooring is a great alternative to timber hardwood flooring, because it basically IS timber flooring…it is just strategically manufactured to give optimal performance. It’s made up of three layers: a protected lacquered hardwood top, plantation grown core, and a pine back.
| Pros | Cons |
| Authentic look and feel due to the fact that is is made of 100% timber | While it is cheaper than hardwood flooring, it is more expensive than the other flooring choices |
| More stable in high-humidity environments | Different manufactures have different quality standards. Do your research to get top quality! |
| More environmentally sustainable than hardwood flooring | Some engineered planks can sound hollow – research different thicknesses for their sound and quality |
| More affordable than hardwood timber flooring | Engineered wood is made with adhesives and resins, some of which can give off harmful gases. Research which is the best for you. |
This products has been described as the best of both worlds. It is durable and strong like laminate, whilst also giving the soft and luxurious look of vinyl planks.
| Pros | Cons |
| Superior scratch resistance | Can be dearer than some other floors |
| Easy maintenance and cleaning | Looks like timber, but doesn’t feel like it |
| 100% waterproof | |
| Can handle huge difference in humidity |
Tiling was the most poplar choice in flooring until technology came along and reinvented timber flooring and their look alike friends. However, because of the different features of tiles, they are still an excellent choice for flooring throughout the home and in particular in bathrooms, laundries and splash backs.
| Pros | Cons |
| So easy to maintain and clean | Because they are so hard, they often break whatever falls on them |
| Glazed tiles are 100% water resistant | Grout can become discoloured and stand due to mildew |
| Extremely durable Ceramic, porcelain and mosaic are able to handle high amounts of traffic. | In cooler months, tiles can be really cold |
| Temperature and chemical resistant so they do not corrode when exposed to chemicals or extreme weather | Needs a professional to install |
| Hygienic and inhibit viruses, mould and fungi from growing | |
| Environmentally friendly when made from clay and raw materials like ceramic tiles | |
| Diverse and affordable so can suit anyone and everyone’s preferences |
Such a statement, polished concrete is one of those products that you either love or loathe. They are suited beautifully to minimal, modern and industrial style homes. They are making a real come back onto the design market, so here is what you need to know about polished concrete…
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely durable | Can be very, very cold in winter and can retain heat in summer |
| Flood and fire resistant | Not suitable for homes that lack sunlight – sunlight is needed to heat the concrete slab |
| Ideal for high traffic areas | Expensive – they sit at a similar price point to timber hardwood flooring |
| Easy to clean and super hygienic | Creating an amazing aggregate, quarts and coloured polish can be very expensive |
| Can be rebuffed to reshine when it becomes a little dull from wear and tear | Can be very hard, especially when standing on for periods of time eg. cooking in the kitchen or when little ones fall over |
| Can incorporate underfloor heating into polished concrete flooring (needs to be discussed and approved during planning stages) | Cracks may appear due to the house settling over time |
| Can be installed to use for so many different surfaces eg. flooring, kitchen benches, vanities, stairs, etc | Will show more dust due to the gloss effect |
| Can be poured on site, so is made to suit your space. For this reason, it is made to measure and will not show join lines like many other products will | May show scratches, however this depends on the sealer that is used. Different sealers have different pros and cons – so do your research on this too! |
| Ideal for those who suffer from allergies | |
| Available in a wide variety of colours, aggregates and finishes | |
| Can create a seamless finish from indoors to outdoors |
Phew! So there you go…..there is so much information for you to digest! I tend to find that clients have a preference for a timber/timber look, tile or polished concrete depending on the style of home they are going for and the vision and mood they want to create when they step foot through the door.
Remember, do what works for you, weigh up all your options and enjoy sliding those feet out of bed in the morning and landing those tootsies on your floor of choice!
If you have any questions, I am always here to help! Contact me through the ‘Contact Us’ page, or alternatively, send me a DM on Instagram. Either way I will be sure to get back to you with whatever info I can offer.
Much love,
dreaminginteriors.com.au 