The current housing market’s stagnation has led to an increasing number of homeowners opting to convert or extend their current homes rather than moving. Often, this is due to a need for additional space, be it an extra bathroom, an additional bedroom, or a larger kitchen. In more robust housing markets, homeowners may opt to sell and upgrade to a larger home, but this has become more challenging given current economic conditions.
If you’re planning a home conversion that involves the installation of wood flooring, several considerations can help you make the best choices. Here are our top tips, segmented on a room-by-room basis, concerning the applicability of solid or engineered wood flooring:
- Attic Conversions: Attic conversions are an economical way to add extra rooms to your house and usually cost less than building an extension. While attic conversions can be subject to stringent regulations, understanding these can help you maximize your new space. Given that attics usually experience wider temperature fluctuations than other parts of the house, we recommend considering engineered wood flooring over solid wood flooring. Engineered wood is more resilient to these temperature changes.
- Basement Conversions: Basements can provide useful additional spaces such as utility rooms, offices, or playrooms. However, they often contend with dampness issues. By ensuring your subfloor is adequately dry and installing a suitable damp proof membrane before fitting your floor, you can mitigate this risk. Engineered wood flooring, like for attics, is best suited to basement conditions due to potential moisture fluctuations.
- Adding a Kitchen or a Bathroom: When adding a kitchen or bathroom, engineered wood flooring is the best solution. These rooms face daily challenges concerning heat and moisture, and engineered wood flooring has the durability to withstand these conditions over time.
- Conservatory Additions: When adding a conservatory, it’s important to consider the level of sunlight your floor will be exposed to. Using blinds and curtains or choosing a UV finish for your floor can help prevent severe fading.
- General Considerations:a. Underfloor Heating: If your conversion plan includes underfloor heating, opt for engineered wood flooring. Solid wood can bow and cup due to ongoing temperature fluctuations. To ensure energy efficiency, the overall thickness of the flooring should not exceed 18mm, and the top layer (the actual wood layer) should not be more than 5mm thick.
b. Joining Existing Floors: Pay special attention to how you join your new floor with your existing floors. Various wood flooring accessories can aid in making this transition as attractive as possible. Consider consulting with your floor fitter or flooring supplier if you’re planning a DIY installation to explore your options.
By following these tips, you can ensure your flooring choices enhance your new space while also proving durable and practical for the conditions of the room. Remember, every conversion project presents unique challenges, but with careful planning and selection, you can create beautiful, functional spaces in your home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is engineered wood flooring recommended for attic conversions?
Given that attics often experience wider temperature fluctuations than other parts of the house, engineered wood is more resilient to these temperature changes, making it a suitable choice for attic conversions.
2. How can I mitigate the risk of dampness in basement conversions?
By ensuring your subfloor is adequately dry and installing a suitable damp proof membrane before fitting your floor, you can mitigate the risk of dampness. Engineered wood flooring is best suited to basement conditions due to potential moisture fluctuations.
3. Why is engineered wood flooring the best choice for kitchen or bathroom additions?
Kitchens and bathrooms face daily challenges concerning heat and moisture. Engineered wood flooring has the durability to withstand these conditions over time, making it the best choice for these areas.
4. What should I consider when adding a conservatory?
When adding a conservatory, it’s important to consider the level of sunlight your floor will be exposed to. Using blinds and curtains or choosing a UV finish for your floor can help prevent severe fading.
5. What precautions should I take if my conversion plan includes underfloor heating?
If your conversion plan includes underfloor heating, opt for engineered wood flooring as solid wood can bow and cup due to ongoing temperature fluctuations. To ensure energy efficiency, the overall thickness of the flooring should not exceed 18mm, and the top layer (the actual wood layer) should not be more than 5mm thick.