Flooring On A Budget | How To Keep The Cost Down

Save On Budget, But Not On Style With Our Best Ways To Keep Costs Down...

Are you worried that investing in a new floor will cost you an arm and a leg? Well, think again! Here at Flooring365, we have plenty of high-quality flooring options that won’t break the bank. Here are our top tips on how to keep the cost of your flooring project to a minimum.

Invest in flooring that will last you a lifetime

Our engineered and solid wood flooring ranges are designed to last a lifetime. They may be more expensive than alternatives such as laminate or LVT, but they will last for decades, and you won’t have to buy another floor again.

Wood floors are great insulators helping your home stay warm and cosy, even hours after you’ve turned your heating off. As a result, choosing a wood floor could help you become more energy efficient and bring down the cost of your energy bills.

Both engineered and solid wood floors are extremely durable and have the option to be sanded and refinished. This means if they become damaged you can sand and refinish them so that they look as good as new – a much cheaper alternative to replacing a whole floor. Bear in mind, if this is something that you plan on doing in the future, you will need enough wood to be able to sand down. Therefore, with engineered wood flooring, you will want to opt for the thicker flooring boards as these have more solid wood veneer to be able to sand down and refinish. The same applies to solid wood except you can continue sanding until there is 1m of floor left as the whole board is solid wood.

Whilst solid and engineered wood floors do cost a bit more than their alternatives, they are certainly worth the investment, especially if you don’t want to keep buying a new floor every couple of years.

Cheaper flooring alternatives

However, if you’re looking for a stunning, good-quality floor that won’t cost you as much initially then our laminate and LVT ranges will be the perfect choice for you!

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is the original low-cost alternative to wood. It is made up of several layers of pressed wood pulp and topped with a protective layer. Laminate flooring has the printed effect of wood or stone so, if you’re wanting the look of a wood floor at a fraction of the cost then laminate would be ideal.

Why you should choose laminate flooring

If you’re looking for cheap flooring ideas, then our laminate flooring range could be exactly what you’ve been looking for. There are so many reasons to love laminate, but ultimately it depends on you and your project requirements.

Durable

A laminate floor is extremely durable as they have a tough wear layer that is resistant to scratches, bumps, and stains. Laminate also copes well with high-traffic areas of the home. Whilst it can’t be sanded and refinished like solid or engineered wood, laminate flooring remains one of the most hard-wearing flooring types on the market. 

However, most laminate flooring is not water-resistant, so we wouldn’t recommend installing it in your bathroom. In fact, we advise that you avoid prolonged periods of water contact at all. Therefore, any spillages should be cleaned up quickly to avoid water from seeping into the laminate and causing damage over time.

Great Quality

Laminate floors are long-lasting, good-quality floors. They may not last as long as solid or engineered wood floors but if looked after properly, your laminate floor will last. The lifespan for laminate flooring varies, with the average being between 15-25 years. However, some lower-grade laminates may need to be replaced after 10 years and higher grades can potentially last around 30 years. Sadly, you do just get what you pay for sometimes, but thankfully this provides options for all kinds of families, on all kinds of budgets. Once you’ve found the right one for you and your lifestyle, you can be sure that your laminate flooring will follow you through the decades.

Looks Good

Laminate primarily focuses on recreating the look of hardwood flooring so if you’re wanting a floor that looks like real hardwood without having to splash out on the real deal then laminate flooring is the solution for you.

Easy To Fit

Most laminate floors have a built-in click system and are laid on top of an underlay which creates a ‘floating floor’. The click system on laminate flooring means that you won’t need to use nails or adhesives. This is why laminate is often the go-to choice for DIY lovers and savvy budgeters alike. Unlike many of the other flooring alternatives, laminate is extremely easy to install and can save you the cost of hiring a professional fitter.

Easy to maintain

Once laid, laminate flooring is incredibly easy to maintain. Simply sweep regularly and clean with a damp mop for a deeper clean.

Although it’s always recommended to clean up spillages immediately, laminate flooring isn’t as susceptible to staining or water damage as engineered or real wood floors as it has a harder, clear protective layer. We still wouldn’t advise letting it sit around for too long though as we want to see your flooring last you many years to come!

Cost Effective

As we have mentioned previously, laminate flooring is a cheaper alternative to solid or engineered wood. Laminate floors are able to provide a realistic wood finish at a fraction of the cost. The actual cost of your laminate flooring, however, will vary depending on the thickness of the board and what style/colour you want.

Underfloor Heating and Underlay

Laminate flooring can be fitted with underfloor heating however, our floors are only suitable for water-based underfloor heating. Laminate flooring is a ‘floating floor’ which means it needs to be installed on an underlay.  

The benefits of underlay:

Additional comfort: An underlay provides an extra layer to your floor making it softer and more comfortable beneath your feet.

Extra heat insulation: Underlays help with insulation, making your rooms warmer and improving the energy efficiency of your home.

Sound insulation: An underlay will reduce the noise of foot traffic.

Even sub-floors: Installing underlay will smooth out your subfloor and make it even, so you won’t have to worry about stability when installing your laminate flooring.

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)

LVT flooring is an affordable, easy maintenance option that is simple to install. Unlike other flooring alternatives, it comes in many different styles and designs, besides the typical ‘wood look’. Our vinyl flooring also comes in stone, ceramic tile, and marble designs, taking ‘fake it till you make it’ to the next level.

Why you should choose LVT

Just like Laminate, LVT is a cheaper alternative to solid or engineered wood. There are many benefits to installing LVT in your home and we are confident that you’ll be able to find the perfect LVT flooring that suits you and your needs.

Durable

LVT floors are an excellent choice when it comes to durability. They don’t wear and tear easily making them a very popular choice with houses that have a high volume of traffic.

LVT flooring is also made from PVC making it 100% waterproof. This often makes it the go-to choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

Great Quality

The lifespan of an LVT floor depends entirely on whether it has been fitted correctly and if it has had the correct maintenance. LVT has an estimated lifespan of between 10 to 20 years however, it can last longer than this, as long as it has been looked after properly.

Wide Range Of Styles

If you’re wanting an affordable floor but wanting to branch out and choose a floor that doesn’t resemble real wood, then LVT might be the perfect choice for you. LVT comes in many different designs, plenty of which are not just wood. You can have your vinyl flooring in stone, ceramic tiles, or marble as well as intricate tile effect patterns.

If you’re looking for a greater choice of design, we suggest looking at our LVT range.

Easy To Fit

Our LVT floors are relatively easy to install. So, whether you’re DIY savvy or prefer the professional approach we’re sure that the installation of your LVT will go smoothly without too much stress! Our LVT floors are fitted with the Click Lok system. The Click Lok system is a glue-free option that has two interlocking ends that ‘hook’ together. It is intended to make laying flooring easier for any DIY enthusiast, by simply pushing, dropping, or clicking boards into place.

LVT is usually laid using a floating floor method, similar to Laminate and Engineered Wood Flooring, meaning tiles are laid directly over a subfloor, ‘sitting’ on top of an existing base. Whilst this method of installation is generally easier to fit, you must create an even level and prepare your subfloor properly to ensure a high-quality finish.

Underfloor Heating and Underlay

LVT can be fitted with underfloor heating however, our floors are only suitable for water-based underfloor heating. Our LVT flooring comes with a built-in, ultra-thin, durable underlay, so there’s no need to purchase one. Simply lay your flooring over a level subfloor. As there’s an underlay already built-in to the floor you won’t need to spend extra money on an underlay, saving you even more money!

Cost Effective

As we have mentioned previously, LVT flooring is a cheaper alternative to solid and engineered wood flooring. The standard styles of LVT will be very cost-effective. However, if you’re looking for something more unique and luxurious, it can start getting more expensive. Ultimately, it's up to you how much you spend. Some costs will save you more money in the long run, whereas others will simply add to the aesthetic. It’s about deciding what is most important to you. If you can determine this, you will have no problem finding a floor that will last you as long as you need it to.

Get DIY Savvy

Looking for a cheaper alternative to hiring a floor fitter? Then we’ve got you covered! With our DIY-friendly floors and installation methods you’ll be all set to embark on your DIY journey! Have a look at our DIY Installation blog to say goodbye to extra costs and hello to your toolbelt!

Opt for Click Lok flooring

Click Lok flooring has a locking mechanism on the edge of the boards which creates a glue-free, interlocking fitting system, meaning it can be laid more easily and relatively hassle-free. The Click Lok system is intended to make laying flooring easier for any flooring novice, by simply pushing, dropping, or clicking boards into place. If you’re considering Click Lok flooring, it’s important to think about the underlying surface on which your new LVT flooring will be laid. Uneven surfaces make Click Lok much more difficult to fit and keep in place, which often means the need for levelling underlay.

Choose a floating floor

Just like with the Click Lok installation method, floating floors are ideal for DIY installation as they’re relatively simple to lay and not as time-consuming as other installation methods. A floating floor refers to a floor that can be fitted without the need for heavy-duty adhesives or sticking to the subfloor; meaning there’s a bit more wiggle room for mistakes, as pieces can be re-laid if needed. The floor will be placed on top of an underlay and this, along with the floor’s locking mechanism ensures the planks remain stable.

Due to a floating floor not requiring any adhesives or nails, you can even save money on supplies and tools that you might otherwise need. You also won’t need to splash out on a professional floor fitter, providing your subfloor is decent.

Spread the cost with our finance options

Here at Flooring365, we provide a range of finance options to help you with the cost of your new floor. If you’re interested in spreading out the cost of your floors over a few months rather than one upfront payment, head over to our finance page where we provide all the information you’ll need. However, if you’re still unsure then you can call a member of our sales team to discuss our finance options further. We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different and would be happy to go through the options with you.

Conclusion

All the floors that we have discussed have their own unique benefits and money-saving hacks to keep costs to a minimum. Ultimately it comes down to your personal preference, budget, and project requirements, but one thing we can be sure of is that we will do what we can to help you get the most from your flooring, at a fraction of the cost.

Ready to find your dream flooring? Check out our clearance section to get the best deal. 

Still unsure? Our sales team is here to help you with any queries you may have, you can give them a call or request a call back on the website.

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