One home improvement which can transform the look of a room is re-laying the floor, but choosing the right material can be quite a challenge.
Some types of flooring will suit the hard-wearing conditions of a kitchen, for example, whereas others would be better placed in a cloakroom or conservatory.
Laminate flooring is very affordable and can be laid in busy areas of the home. It is made of compressed fibreboard planks overlaid with a photographic image of wood, stone or tile. It also has a protective layer, and some contain a waterproof core so that they can cope with spillages.
This is why laminate flooring is most suited to busy living areas, bathrooms and kitchens, but consumer guide Which? recommends that buyers check the guarantee of the product to ensure they do not breach any conditions of its use.
Laminate flooring that has not been laid correctly is not very attractive, so it is best practice to employ a professional to fit it. This is especially important if buyers are considering selling their home in the near future.
Further up the price range, engineered wood flooring is more attractive than laminate flooring and less expensive than real wood flooring, but it is prone to taking on the qualities of the atmosphere it is in, such as damp. It must not be laid in a humid atmosphere, so would not be a good choice for a bathroom project, for example.
Similar to engineered wood flooring, real wood flooring is best suited to areas of the home with a fairly constant atmosphere as it will swell and shrink in damp and dry conditions.
Real wood flooring looks the best quality of all the types, and looks particularly attractive in hallways. It is the most expensive, however.
