Not so very long ago, you were considered poor or unfortunate if you didn’t have fitted carpets throughout your home. Oh, how times have changed. Today, people feel the freedom to have a whole range of flooring options throughout their homes, and carpet seems to be falling further and further down the preferred list for most people. Hard flooring is certainly making its presence felt in most homes in the UK and well beyond – and with really good reason.
In this article we’d like to give you a conclusive guide to hard flooring – warts and all. At Wood and Beyond we’re not naïve enough think that the flooring solutions we provide suit everyone, and we know that there are some other great options out there. So let’s explore them together.
Here are some of the most popular hard flooring options
Wood
Clearly at Wood and Beyond we’re huge fans of wood flooring otherwise it wouldn’t be the mainstay of our flooring range. However, we know that some people hesitate when it comes to choosing wood, so here are the hard facts about this hard floor option:
Pros:
- Warm under foot
- Comfortable and forgiving to walk on
- Extensive choice of species, grade, finish and colour
- Can be used throughout the home with the right planning
- Long-lasting
- Can be re-sanded and re-finished several times to look like new
- Affordable
- Can be used over underfloor heating
Cons:
- Here we’re struggling a bit. However, it’s only fair to say that wood flooring can be a challenge to fit on a DIY basis, and some people find it expensive to have it fitted for them. But apart from that, there are very few downsides.
Laminate
Laminate flooring was, for many years, the poor relative of the hard flooring options, but it has seriously improved in recent years and for some people is a great solution. Once again, here are what we see as its pros and cons:
Pros:
- Low cost
- Convincing
- Comfortable under foot
- Can be used throughout the home
- Good looking
- Fast to fit
- Some options can be used over underfloor heating
Cons:
- Certain options don’t wear well
- Certain options just look ‘fake’
Tiles
Tiles have been a huge favourite with our European counterparts for a very long time, but until fairly recently in the UK floor tiles were restricted to kitchens and bathrooms. The growing popularity of underfloor heating has changed this and here’s what we think of tiles:
Pros:
- Can be used throughout the home
- Huge choice of colours, sizes, finishes and prices
- Affordable
- Long lasting
- Can be prone to scratching/chipping
- Can be used over underfloor heating
Cons:
- Hard under foot
- Can be cold under foot if you don’t have underfloor heating
Stone
Stone again was dismissed by many as a challenging, horribly cold flooring option until the luxury of underfloor heating became more accessible. A stunning option in the right setting, stone can still be cold and challenging, but it has some really strong plus-points…
Pros:
- Can be used throughout the home
- Huge choice of colours, sizes, finishes and prices
- Long lasting
- Good looking
Cons:
- Hard under foot
- Can be cold under foot if you don’t have underfloor heating
If you’d like some help to explore the hard flooring solution that would work best for your unique project, why not get in touch? At Wood and Beyond we pride ourselves on our impartiality and share our knowledge willingly and freely with our customers. Even if we think you should choose a flooring option we don’t stock, we’ll tell you so; and we’ll even point you in the right direction to find it. Now if that’s not good, straightforward, honest service; what is?
Comparing Popular Hard Flooring Options
This table presents a comparison of the most popular hard flooring options, including their pros and cons.
| Hard Flooring Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Warm under foot – Comfortable and forgiving to walk on – Extensive choice of species, grade, finish and color – Can be used throughout the home with the right planning – Long-lasting – Can be re-sanded and re-finished several times to look like new – Affordable – Can be used over underfloor heating | Can be a challenge to fit on a DIY basis – Some people may find it expensive to have it fitted professionally |
| Laminate | Low cost – Convincing – Comfortable under foot – Can be used throughout the home – Good looking – Fast to fit – Some options can be used over underfloor heating | Certain options don’t wear well – Certain options may look ‘fake’ |
| Tiles | Can be used throughout the home – Huge choice of colors, sizes, finishes, and prices – Affordable – Long lasting – Can be prone to scratching/chipping – Can be used over underfloor heating | Hard under foot – Can be cold under foot if you don’t have underfloor heating |
| Stone | Can be used throughout the home- Huge choice of colors, sizes, finishes, and prices – Long lasting – Good looking | Hard under foot – Can be cold under foot if you don’t have underfloor heating |
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FAQ
Q1: What are the pros and cons of wood flooring?
Answer: Wood flooring is warm and comfortable underfoot, with an extensive range of species, grades, finishes, and colours to choose from. It is long-lasting, can be re-sanded and re-finished several times, and is compatible with underfloor heating. However, fitting it can be a challenge, and some people find the cost of professional installation high.
Q2: What are the advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring?
Answer: Laminate flooring is low cost, comfortable underfoot, and has improved a lot in terms of aesthetics. It’s also easy and quick to fit and some options can be used over underfloor heating. However, some options may not wear well over time and may look ‘fake’.
Q3: What should I consider when choosing tile flooring?
Answer: Tile flooring can be used throughout the home, is affordable, and long-lasting. It also comes in a huge choice of colours, sizes, finishes, and prices, and can be used over underfloor heating. However, it can be hard and cold underfoot if you don’t have underfloor heating, and some types can be prone to scratching or chipping.
Q4: What are the benefits and drawbacks of stone flooring?
Answer: Stone flooring can be used throughout the home and has a wide variety of colours, sizes, finishes, and prices to choose from. It’s long-lasting and good looking. However, like tile, it can be hard and cold underfoot if you don’t have underfloor heating.
Q5: Can the team at Wood and Beyond help me choose the right flooring option for my needs?
Answer: Yes, at Wood and Beyond we pride ourselves on our impartiality and freely share our knowledge with our customers. Even if we think you should choose a flooring option we don’t stock, we’ll tell you so and even point you in the right direction to find it.