FLOORS : Make the right choice!

Installing new flooring is a great way to revamp a room. Tile, hardwood, carpet, vinyl, stone… all these flooring options offer a plethora of colours, tones and textures and endless possibilities. So how do you choose? Opt for durability, ease of maintenance and style. With some careful planning, installing new flooring can be a relatively simple project.
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Carpet or linoleum
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Before you start…
Natural flooring
Tile
Other versatile options
What about the stairs?
Stylish effects

Before you start…

Before embarking on your project, visit your store to explore the options in terms of floor coverings. Ask questions so as to be sure to come away with all the materials and tools you need to do the job well.

Imagine having warmth underfoot on a chilly morning… Sounds good? Then why not spoil yourself and install in-floor heating? Comfort guaranteed – especially in the bathroom or kitchen!

For best results and to ensure your investment lasts, it is essential to prepare the subfloor properly. The subfloor must be free of cracks, perfectly level and solidly attached. If you see any sign of weakness, add more screws to make it sturdier.

If your flooring project is in the basement, remember that you will first need to build a subfloor on top of the concrete slab in order to obtain a perfectly level surface and allow moisture to evaporate. You have two options in this respect, both of which are suitable under most floor coverings: either a modular floating subfloor or a traditional subfloor made of plywood. You might also want to consider the possibility of including sound insulation material. Finally, clean the entire surface of the subfloor; it should be free of dust and dirt so that any adhesive will work effectively.

To know more:
Floor coverings
Installing a floating modular subfloor system
Building a subfloor on a concrete slab

Natural flooring

Timeless and always elegant, natural materials are ever popular. Wood floors remain the firm favourites. They have all the qualities that enable them to stand the test of time. They also blend well with all types of decor, from the more contemporary to the more rustic, and they are easy to maintain. Hardwood looks good in any room – from the living room and dining room to the bedrooms. In the kitchen and bathroom, on the other hand, it’s advisable to use other types of flooring that stand up better to spills and moisture.

If you want the look of real wood at a fraction of the cost, then floating flooring is an excellent solution and comes in an impressive range of colours and finishes. It also withstands wear and tear, and is moisture resistant. Installing a floating floor is simple – follow the manufacturer’s instructions and you will be able to lay a beautiful new floor in just a few hours.

Maybe you’re on the lookout for something a bit different? Then let your “green” side guide you towards new natural materials such as stone, bamboo and cork. Resolutely contemporary, these materials will add style and character to your interior. Just imagine a stunning new bathroom floor with beautiful dark oversize slate tiles or a chic modern living or dining room with a cork or bamboo floor. What’s more, because cork and bamboo are fast-growing plants, using them in your renovation projects has less impact on the environment. All in all, these materials are stylish, eco-responsible choices.

To know more:
Wood floors
Installing a floating floor

Tile

Available in an infinite number of colours, textures and finishes, glass, ceramic or porcelain tiles are among the most versatile of all floor coverings and look great in any room. You can use them as creatively as you like, combining colours, arranging different sizes or adding mosaic borders to make personalized designs. The trend is for large tiles, anywhere from 12 to 24 inches across. Tiles are ideal as a bathroom floor covering because they are water and moisture resistant. But why not go one step further and create a luxury spa feel in your bathroom with wall-to-wall ceramic tiles?

To know more:
Tiles: Ceramic, glass, porcelain
Ceramic tile
Installing ceramic floor tiles
Ceramic tile calculator
The luxury of in-floor heating
Installing a Floor Heating System

Other versatile options

Far from being outdated, vinyl and linoleum are making a strong and stylish comeback. Today they come in an inspiring range of contemporary styles and patterns. Some even imitate other materials such as wood, ceramic and natural stone, etc. impressively well. Easy to install, this is a flooring option you’ll want to rediscover, especially for the entrance hall, bathroom or kitchen.

Carpet is ideal for creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. Soft and comfortable underfoot, wall to wall carpeting is perfect for the living room or home theatre room. If you prefer stone or wood flooring, complete the decor by adding shag or sisal accent rugs.

To know more:
Vinyl and linoleum floors
Installing a linoleum or vinyl floor
Carpets
Installing a carpet
Carpet or linoleum calculator

What about the stairs?

What type of floor covering should you choose for your indoor staircase? Hardwood, carpet, laminate, ceramic and vinyl are some of the main options. Consider the flooring in the surrounding rooms and the layout of your staircase to help you make a decision. Also think about how much the stairs are used, so as to choose a material that can cope with the traffic.

To know more:
Flooring Options for Indoor Staircases

Stylish effects

You can achieve some fabulous stylish effects with floor coverings, like attractive mosaics or stylized tiles integrated into otherwise plain tiled floors.

Another way to personalize a tiled floor is to remove a few tiles and incorporate pebbles or coloured stones into grout in their place. This technique can be used in more than one section of the floor, depending on your chosen design.

Laying two different types of flooring materials on one floor is also becoming increasingly popular. Wood laid with ceramic tile or bamboo planks in alternation with travertine tile create an unusual and eye-catching effect. Alternatively, for an elegant modern-day take on a classy Victorian decor, why not create a two-tone hardwood composition by laying natural wood inlay with darker wood to create a chequered pattern. Coat with high-gloss varnish for a beautiful finish. The possible combinations are greater and more original than ever, proving there’s no limit to the imagination!

In the bathroom, you can experiment with different-sized tiles to create your own unique design. For example, around the edge of a floor laid with regular 12-inch tiles, you could lay a border of mosaic tiles to match those on the wall behind the washbasin or in the shower.

To know more:
Laying alternate rows of bamboo planks and travertine tiles
Once you decide to change your floor covering, you’ll find a world of possibilities at your feet. Good planning, the right materials and a confident dose of creativity will help you give your new floor that unique touch that makes all the difference!
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