Posted August 17 in Premium Suppliers

Flooring options to consider for your new home

With people spending more time in their homes than ever before, interior design plays an important role in how you think and feel daily – and your aesthetic starts with your flooring.

Textural timber flooring can have a positive effect on the body and brain, as well as the environment, thanks to its natural look and feel. But not all flooring is created equal. The one you pick will depend on your family’s needs and lifestyle as well as the interior look and feel you’re trying to create.

We caught up with Anna Hynes (Director) and Caitlin Twomey (Merchandiser) from Surfaces by Hynes for their professional flooring insights to help you make an informed decision for your new home.

So, what are your flooring options?

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is constructed from a collection of wood fibres, with a core board and a decorative wood-look layer on top. This is then sealed with a protective coating to maximise its longevity.

Best suited to:

Busy families, those with pets, and the budget conscious.

Pros

Laminate flooring means you’re spoilt for choice in terms of look and feel. Why? Because the decorative paper is available in a variety of shades and textures including wide boards and elongated plank options; there really is a grain to match every interior design style.

Laminate floors are also incredibly durable and allow for impact-resistance when compared to traditional timber flooring and require very little upkeep. They’re easier to replace if planks are damaged as well as being the most affordable flooring option, particularly for larger homes.

Cons

Laminate flooring has come a long way over the past 10 years and is one of the most popular flooring choices in the market. That said, if you do damage it, it can’t be sanded back to its original look, however planks can be replaced if required. Laminate is an incredible replication of natural timber, however, it doesn’t have the same aesthetic appeal as an engineered timber. This all depends on your individual preferences.

A hot tip, especially if you have young children, is to upgrade to the 12mm Typhoon Collections for high-traffic areas. These collections are water resistant and can be wet mopped making them perfect for cleaning up any accidental spills or marks.

Hybrid flooring

Like laminate, hybrid vinyl floors are low maintenance but with a few added benefits. Hybrid flooring consists of varies layers, including a premium high-density vinyl and a rigid composite layer.

Best suited to:

Double-storey homes, high traffic areas and those with a busy lifestyle.

Pros

Hybrid flooring is waterproof, so you can wet mop without a second thought. It’s also highly durable ­– perfect for areas where seasonal changes can cause woods to swell and move with the temperature – and extremely soft underfoot and sound absorbent, making it particularly important if you are building a double-storey home.

But the biggest drawcard of hybrid floors? The aesthetics. The Hamptons Collection has an embossed finish and wide planks that replicate natural timber flooring.

Hybrid floors are also free from harmful chemicals, recyclable and allow for easy maintenance as they can be simply replaced if damaged.

Cons

Like with laminate flooring, hybrid flooring can’t be sanded back to its original look.

Engineered timber

Engineered timber is a prefinished product, and one of the most renewable resources in the world. All layers are cross laminated (meaning in different directions) which helps produce a stable product as well as being environmentally safe and visually beautiful.

Best suited to:

Those building their forever home.

Pros

As good as the hybrid and laminate versions are, nothing compares to the look and feel of timber flooring. Its designer edges and hand-crafted finishes are in a league of their own.  Timber flooring can also increase the value of your home as well as offer better natural acoustics and air quality.

Cons

Being a natural material, engineered timber flooring cannot be compared directly against hybrid or laminate flooring types as they are comprised of different components fit for varying lifestyles and project types. Timber floors cannot be wet mopped as they are a natural timber product and generally require a higher level of care and maintenance, making them harder to replace should any planks become damaged.

Don’t forget your flooring underlay

If you’re going to spend the coin on quality laminate, hybrid or engineered timber flooring, it pays to do it correctly.

Underlay is an extremely important element in all floating floors. It not only acts as a barrier between your concrete slab and your new flooring, but it also helps to stabilise your floors, and assists with noise reduction. When you build a Boutique Home, no matter your flooring selection, you’ll receive flooring underlay as standard.

How to maintain your new floors

To increase the longevity of your brand-new floor, Anna and Caitlin have provided some helpful tips for all flooring types.

1. Be aware of how you clean your new floors

Vacuum and/or dry mop the area before using cleaning products and always allow your floors to dry to avoid marks and footprints.

2. Keep pet's nails short

If you have pets living inside, keep their nails trimmed and their paws clean. This will further reduce excess grit and reduce damage.

3. Clean up spills as quickly as possible

Liquids left too long on your floors can cause the finish to discolour.

4. Damage-proof your furniture and add felt pads wherever necessary

Ensure the legs of movable furniture, such as dining room chairs, are fitted with protective felt pads. This helps to prevent any scratches on the floor’s surface. Likewise, be careful when moving heavy objects or pieces of furniture across your living spaces. Lift them into position, rather than dragging them.

5. Avoid using rugs and mats for the first six months

While they are great for trapping grit at doorways and reducing wear in high traffic areas, UV light can impact the colour and coating of your new floors. To prevent colour differences under the rug, don’t use them for at least six months after your floors are installed. Alternatively, ensure you move your rugs and mats at regular intervals.

Interior design tips

Start your colour appointment by picking your flooring type and colour, suggests Boutique Homes Interior Designer, Nicole Messina. Your other interior design choices will quickly fall into place!

‘The new Typhoon Riviera Collection has some beautiful trending colour tones,’ says Nicole.

Lighter wood flooring brings a sense of charm, openness and relaxation, and makes a room look more spacious. While darker floors can make a room feel cosy, they also bring a feeling of elegance to your home and work well across larger spaces.

Adding in plenty of light to contrast the surrounds and opposite undertones for interest can also work well. Your floors and interior design should appear seamless so that your eye is not interrupted. ‘That said, don’t be afraid to pair cool and warm colours, and introduce texture into your furniture via rugs, throws and artworks,’ suggests Nicole.

Additional resources

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