Last Updated on September 7, 2023 by Pro Handyman Australia – Editorial Team

Selecting the perfect flooring for your home involves more than just aesthetic preferences. It’s essential to consider the function and demands of each room. For instance, porcelain tile, with its ability to resist moisture and endure heavy foot traffic, becomes an ideal choice for entryways, mudrooms, and bathrooms. Conversely, living areas and bedrooms benefit from the warmth and flexibility of solid hardwood or engineered wood floors, providing a cozy and inviting ambiance.

Table of Contents

Key points to remember when choosing flooring:

Ensuring Flooring Consistency

While manufacturers always aim for consistency in grain and colour, particularly in engineered and solid wood flooring, there can still be slight variations between batches. To maintain uniformity, it’s advisable to purchase all the flooring you’ll require from a single batch. Conversely, laminate flooring is designed with a standard pattern. If you’re keen on a more diversified look, mix boards from various packages during installation.

Precise Measurements Matter

For accurate flooring estimation, begin by calculating the room’s square footage. This can be done by multiplying the room’s width by its length. In cases where the room has an unconventional shape, segment it into smaller rectangles, ascertain the area of each segment, and then sum up these areas. Once you’ve determined the total square footage, it’s wise to add an additional 10% to account for cuttings and wastage.

Gauge Your Traffic Flow

It’s vital to identify the areas in your home that experience the most foot traffic. Typically, these include entryways and passages leading to rooms. If your household includes children and pets, areas like the family room will also see significant activity. Given this, opt for flooring materials that can withstand the daily hustle and bustle.

Preparing for Installation

Before commencing the installation of laminate or wood flooring, a crucial preparatory step is to allow the new flooring to acclimate to its future environment. By having the flooring delivered ahead of time and allowing it to rest in the intended room for one to three days, you ensure that the planks adapt to the room’s moisture and temperature conditions, setting the stage for optimal installation.

Understanding Flooring Options

The Classic Choice: Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring radiates a natural warmth and charm. Its strength makes it resistant to wear, standing the test of time. One of the notable attributes of hardwood is its capability to be refinished and sanded multiple times. Moreover, hardwood floors that are pre-finished tend to have a more robust finish compared to those treated on-site.

When considering flooring options, many gravitate towards wood due to its natural allure and range of benefits. However, like any material, wood flooring comes with its set of advantages and drawbacks, which should be evaluated based on individual preferences, needs, and budget.

Advantages of Wood Flooring:

Natural Warmth: Wood exudes a natural warmth, enhancing the ambiance of any room.
Durability: With impressive wear resistance, wood flooring can withstand the test of time. An added advantage is its ability to be sanded and refinished multiple times.
Speedy Installation: Opting for prefinished wood floors streamlines the installation process, eliminating the hassle associated with on-site finishing – no dust, no fumes, and no waiting for drying.

Limitations of Wood Flooring:

Sensitivity to Humidity: Solid wood flooring is known to expand and contract in response to fluctuations in humidity levels.
Prone to Dents: While wood is durable, it is not impervious to dents, especially in high-traffic areas.
Maintenance: Prefinished flooring, despite its many benefits, can sometimes accumulate dirt between the boards.
Sunlight Sensitivity: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to discoloration in some wood flooring varieties.
Not Suitable for Damp Spaces: Owing to its natural composition, solid wood flooring might not be the best choice for spaces like basements, where moisture levels can be high.

Modern Efficiency: Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring is a blend of practicality and aesthetics. It combines a thin veneer of authentic wood atop structural plywood, providing an economical alternative without compromising the wood appeal. However, it’s essential to note that most engineered wood variants might not offer the same level of durability as their hardwood or laminate counterparts.

Engineered wood flooring has grown in popularity due to its unique construction and the benefits it offers. By understanding its strengths and limitations, homeowners can make informed decisions.

Benefits of Engineered Wood Flooring:

Adaptability to Humidity: Unlike solid wood, engineered wood is designed to resist high humidity levels. Its construction, which involves thin layers of wood bonded with adhesives, reduces the likelihood of expansion and contraction.
Cost-Effective: Engineered wood offers a blend of real wood or bamboo veneer atop structural plywood. This fusion not only ensures authenticity but also makes it an economical option.
Durability: When installed with precision and chosen from reputable sources, engineered wood can rival the durability of solid wood.

Considerations for Engineered Wood Flooring:

Performance Metrics: In certain tests related to denting and wear, engineered wood has shown similar outcomes to solid wood and laminate. However, not all engineered wood products rank high in wear resistance.
Refinishing Limitations: The potential to refinish engineered wood largely depends on the thickness of its top “wear layer”. While some variants can endure one or two refinishing processes, others might not be suitable for any. As per the insights from a renowned flooring association, wear layers below 2.5 mm can usually undergo recoating, but a complete refinish might be challenging. For those considering future refinishing, it’s advisable to consult the manufacturer or seller before making a purchase.

Versatility at Its Best: Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a testament to innovation in the flooring industry. Constructed from dense fibreboard, its defining feature is the printed image beneath a clear protective layer. This design flexibility means laminate floors can imitate a myriad of materials and finishes. Some top-tier laminates even incorporate cork beneath the protective layer for added resilience. When shopping for laminate, prioritize options resistant to scratches. Additionally, ensure your choice retains its color consistently, even when subject to prolonged sunlight exposure.

Laminate flooring is an innovative and versatile option that caters to diverse design aspirations. Delving deeper into its attributes and potential challenges can help in making an informed choice.

Advantages of Laminate Flooring:

Versatility in Design: One of laminate’s primary appeals is its ability to convincingly replicate a myriad of materials. Through the use of dense fiberboard topped with a photographic image beneath a clear protective layer, it can emulate almost any desired look.
Enhanced Durability: Among its strengths, the top-tier laminates are known for their resistance to scratching and fading, especially from sunlight. This resilience often surpasses that of many wood alternatives.
Sound Muffling: Some laminate brands incorporate a cork backing, serving a dual purpose of cushioning and reducing noise transmission.

Limitations of Laminate Flooring:

Realism Concerns: One challenge with laminate is the potential repetitiveness in its patterns. This uniformity can detract from its authenticity, giving it an artificial appearance. To counteract this, when installing, it’s advisable to mix planks sourced from varied packages to achieve a more natural look.
Repair and Longevity: While minor imperfections might be amendable, once the top protective layer wears out, a replacement becomes inevitable. Laminate’s longevity is tied to the preservation of this layer.

Vinyl Flooring: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks

Advantages:

Robust and Resilient: Vinyl flooring is adept at resisting wear, dents, scratches, discoloration from sunlight, and stains. Its waterproof nature makes it an excellent choice for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
Variety and Ease of Installation: You can choose from traditional vinyl or luxury vinyl flooring (LVF). While both consist of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), LVF is usually thicker and provides added protection. Traditional vinyl comes in rolls for glue-based installations, whereas LVF offers tile or plank formats with a convenient click-together system.
Aesthetic Flexibility: High-grade LVF can effectively replicate the appearance of stone, tile, or wood.

Limitations:

Perception of Quality: Traditional vinyl installations are often perceived as cost-saving measures. Even premium LVF might not fully capture the natural beauty of the materials they emulate.
Cost Considerations: Top-tier LVF can be as expensive as some of the best solid wood or laminate floors, but installation is generally more cost-effective.

Linoleum Flooring: Natural Elegance with Caveats

Advantages:

Eco-friendly Option: Composed of linseed oil and wood derivatives, linoleum boasts a natural and environmentally friendly composition.
Aesthetic Diversity: Contemporary linoleum offers a diverse range of styles and colors.
UV Resistance: Linoleum is adept at retaining its color despite exposure to sunlight.

Limitations:

Variable Durability: The resistance of linoleum to wear, scratches, and dents can significantly differ between products.

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Flooring: Classic Beauty with Practical Considerations

Advantages:

Timeless and Durable: Both ceramic and its counterpart, porcelain, are age-old materials known for their resistance to wear, moisture, scratches, dents, and stains.
Versatility in Usage: While ceramic tiles are primarily for indoor use, porcelain, being more robust and weather-resistant due to its high-temperature firing process, is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Limitations:

Installation Complexities: Tile installation demands a smooth and stable subfloor. Setting tiles requires precision and expertise with materials like thinset and grout.
Maintenance and Fragility: Tiles, although durable, can crack if exposed to substantial impact. Their hardness also means that any dropped items, especially glassware and dishes, are prone to breaking upon impact. For those unfamiliar with tile installations, it’s advisable to engage a professional to ensure longevity and aesthetics.

Key Considerations for Selecting the Right Flooring

Location and Surface Considerations:

Installation Site: Your choice of flooring largely depends on the intended installation area and the nature of the surface underneath. For instance, solid wood flooring is not suitable over concrete and should be avoided in humidity-prone zones such as basements and bathrooms. To avoid cracking, ceramic or porcelain tiles demand a rigid, even base.

Installation Methods:

DIY-Friendly vs. Professional Installations: Different flooring types have unique installation techniques. “Floating” floors, primarily laminates, feature interlocking designs without the need for adhesives, making them a favorite among DIY enthusiasts. On the other hand, ceramic or porcelain tiles require thinset binding to the subfloor, with gaps filled using grout. Solid wood flooring usually demands nailing or gluing, making professional installation a recommended choice. Always refer to flooring ratings to identify installation methods suitable for each product.

Underlayment Necessities:

Determining the Right Underlayment: Various underlayment materials like foam, cork, rubber, and felt serve different functions. Your choice is influenced by your selected flooring and the existing subfloor. For hardwood floors over concrete, it’s advisable to opt for moisture-protective underlayment. For laminate or engineered floors on uneven subfloors, cushioned underlayments can provide leveling benefits. Some luxury vinyl floors come with attached thin foam pads, eliminating the need for separate underlayment. Do remember, thicker underlayment options often come with higher costs.

Assessing Material Thickness:

Thickness Implications: Thinner vinyl floors can split during installation, leading to increased material requirements. It’s beneficial to focus on vinyl flooring that’s 7 mm thick or more. Material thickness can also influence the durability of floors and, in the case of solid wood, its refinishing potential. For durability insights on various flooring models, referring to established flooring ratings is beneficial.

Importance of the Wear Layer:

Deciphering Wear Layer Value: The wear layer is a protective coating applied atop manufactured floorboards. While it might seem that a thicker wear layer would provide better foot traffic protection, it isn’t always the case. For example, two vinyl products, both with 20-mil wear layers, might perform differently under foot traffic. Hence, it’s essential to look beyond just wear layer thickness. Comprehensive reviews and established flooring ratings can provide clearer insights into wear resistance.

Evaluating Surface Textures and Edge Designs:

Understanding Edge and Texture Implications: The edge design of tiles or planks influences the floor’s appearance and maintenance ease. Prefinished wood and certain laminate planks with beveled edges are easier to install but might retain dirt over time. Tile edges could be traditional or precisely cut for a nearly seamless look, resulting in a floor that’s simpler to maintain. While textured surfaces might accumulate dirt, a certain degree of texture is recommended in wet zones to minimize slip hazards. Established flooring ratings can guide on texture gradients, aiding in informed decisions.

Guidelines for Choosing Optimal Flooring

1. Sample Comparisons: Before making a purchase, it’s advisable to procure samples of your top flooring preferences. Place these samples in the intended installation location, scrutinizing them from varied angles and under different lighting conditions to gain a comprehensive perspective.

2. Aim for Uniformity: Manufacturers endeavor to ensure that solid and engineered wood floorings are consistent in color and grain. However, discrepancies might surface between different batches. To circumvent such inconsistencies, purchase the entire flooring quantity at once. During installation, mix boards from several packages to diminish noticeable repetition. This method can also be employed to reduce recurring patterns in laminate boards.

3. Precise Measurements Matter: Calculating the exact flooring requirement is essential. To do this, ascertain the room’s square footage by multiplying its length and width. For rooms with unconventional shapes, split them into smaller rectangles, compute the square footage for each, and sum them up. It’s prudent to purchase an additional 7 to 10 percent flooring to compensate for potential errors, unfit samples, and wastage. Furthermore, considering an extra box of flooring for potential future repairs or augmentations can be beneficial.

4. Understand Your Traffic Dynamics: High-traffic zones typically include entry points to rooms and the main entrance of the house. For areas frequently accessed by children and pets, like family rooms, opting for highly resilient flooring is wise. The highest performing products usually exhibit superior results in simulated foot-traffic evaluations. For regions with lesser footfall, top-grade engineered wood or bamboo flooring might be apt due to their authentic veneer and hassle-free installation.

5. Exercise Patience during Installation: Before embarking on the installation of wood or laminate floors, it’s crucial to unpack the material, allowing it to acclimatize in the intended room for a span of one to three days. This acclimatization ensures that the flooring adjusts its temperature and moisture levels in harmony with the room’s ambiance, thereby preventing unwanted gaps or buckling post-installation.

6. Seek Relevant Certifications: For those leaning towards vinyl floors, the industry’s FloorScore certification signifies that the product emits relatively minimal volatile organic compounds. When considering wood flooring, certifications from entities like the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative vouch for the product originating from conscientiously managed forests, which is a commendable choice for environmental sustainability. Always inspect the product packaging for pertinent certifications.

Conclusion

Navigating the multifaceted world of flooring can initially seem daunting, but armed with the right knowledge, the journey can become significantly more manageable and even enjoyable. A comprehensive flooring buying guide not only offers clarity on the array of materials and designs available but also empowers homeowners to make choices that resonate with their aesthetic preferences, functionality needs, and budget constraints. From understanding the durability of materials in high-traffic areas to considering environmental impacts and certifications, each detail plays a pivotal role in the overall satisfaction and longevity of the chosen flooring. As we’ve delved deep into the intricacies of various flooring options, it’s evident that the foundation of any beautiful and functional space begins from the ground up. Making an informed flooring choice is an investment in the future, ensuring that the space not only looks inviting but also stands the test of time