HARD FLOORING

Hybrid

Being one of the newest advancements in the flooring industry, hybrid integrates the best features of both laminate and vinyl flooring all at an economical price-tag. Hybrid flooring is an extremely hard wearing floating floor – being both scratch resistant and waterproof, it is an ideal solution when it comes to picking your floor.

Timber

Engineered timber flooring is the answer to the inconvenience of solid timber flooring. The appearance of solid timber is created through layers of wooden substrate sitting beneath a surface layer of timber veneer. Being a pre-finished product, engineered timber floors have a quick and straightforward installation process, so they can be installed and walked on in the same day.

Laminate

Laminate floors are a popular, cost effective option that imitates the look and feel of timber floors. They require relatively low maintenance and are very durable – an integrated wear layer is built in to protect against scratches and blemishes.

Vinyl planks

Vinyl planks are a practical, easy to maintain and affordable hard flooring option for the home. Each plank has a built-in backing for sound reduction and insulation against the cold, creating a softer, more comfortable feeling floor. Being both waterproof and scratch resistant, their durability is a significant factor as to why they are very popular in commercial environments.

Skirting Boards vs Scotia

Floating floors require an expansion gap to be left around the perimeter of the room wherever the floorboards meet any fixed objects (walls, cabinets, kitchen islands etc). This ensures that the flooring can adjust to fluctuations in temperature and humidity without compromising the structural integrity of the boards. Skirting or scotia is used to cover up expansion gaps and create a smooth transition from floor to wall.

Skirting boards come in many different sizes, shapes and profiles. They are most commonly colour-matched to the shade of the walls to provide a decorative and sophisticated finish.

Scotia (also referred to as “beading”) is typically manufactured to match the colour of the floorboards that will be installed (although white scotia is also available). It has a thinner profiled than skirting boards, commonly with a concave finish. Scotia can also be used where a floor has existing skirting boards and it may be too difficult or expensive to remove/replace them – the scotia can be installed to sit in front of the existing skirting boards.

F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hard Flooring

What is a floating floor?

The term “floating floor” refers to the method used when installing the floor. No nails or glue are used to stick it down – the floating floor “sits” on the flat subfloor, reducing time and installation costs.

Which floors can be sanded back?

Engineered timber flooring can be sanded back up to 2 times in their lifespan, depending on the thickness of the timber veneer.

Hybrid, laminate and vinyl cannot be sanded back as they are only imitations of real timber.

Which floors are suitable for wet areas?

Areas where excessive moisture is present such as bathrooms and laundries require fully waterproof floors:

Vinyl planks are the most suitable for wet areas due their multiple wear layers, which can withstand moisture.

Hybrid flooring, whilst being waterproof, is not as suitable for extreme wet areas due to the natural expansion and contraction of the planks. However they are highly recommended for areas with less moisture present such as kitchens.

Laminate flooring is water resistant, and is therefore recommended for areas with less moisture present such as kitchens.

Engineered timber flooring is also resistant to water, but more care must be taken if it is to be installed in areas with less moisture such as kitchens.