How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Home
Every home is different, which means there's no single flooring type that's right for everyone. Your choice should balance appearance, budget, room requirements and everyday practicality.
At Flooring365, you'll find options ranging from genuine wood to practical wood-effect flooring. Understanding the differences between them can make finding the right floor much easier.
What Types of Flooring Can You Choose From?
The five main flooring categories at Flooring365 are engineered wood, solid wood, parquet, laminate and LVT.
Each offers different characteristics:
| Flooring Type | Key Benefit | Consider It If You Want |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered Wood | Genuine wood with greater dimensional stability | Natural timber with practical construction |
| Solid Wood | Genuine timber throughout | Long-term refinishing potential |
| Parquet | Distinctive geometric patterns | Herringbone and other patterned designs |
| Laminate | Practical wood-effect designs | Style at an accessible price |
| LVT | Water resistance | Practical flooring for moisture-prone rooms |
Rather than choosing on appearance alone, think about where the flooring will be installed and how the room is used.
Why Choose Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered wood flooring provides a genuine hardwood surface supported by additional layers underneath.
This construction gives it greater dimensional stability than solid timber, while retaining the grain, texture and natural variation of genuine wood.
You can choose from different species, colours, grades, plank dimensions and finishes, including Natural, Golden, smoked and darker wood tones.
Selected engineered wood floors can also be suitable for water-based underfloor heating when specifically approved. Flooring365 flooring isn't suitable for electric underfloor heating systems.
Why Choose Solid Wood Flooring?
Solid wood flooring is manufactured from genuine timber throughout each board.
Its natural grain and tonal variation give every floor individual character, while one of its biggest long-term advantages is its refinishing potential.
Solid wood can generally be sanded and refinished multiple times, depending on its condition.
It's particularly suited to dry areas such as living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. However, solid wood isn't suitable for underfloor heating and requires appropriate care around moisture.
Is Parquet Flooring Right for Your Home?
Parquet flooring is worth considering if you want the floor itself to become a more prominent design feature.
Herringbone is one of the most recognisable parquet patterns. It uses rectangular blocks arranged so the end of one meets the side of another at 90 degrees, creating its characteristic broken zigzag.
Parquet can be available in both solid and engineered constructions, so check the individual product specification rather than assuming every parquet floor has the same characteristics.
Are Laminate and LVT Good Budget-Friendly Options?
If you want the appearance of wood without a genuine hardwood surface, laminate flooring and LVT are worth considering.
Laminate uses a decorative surface to reproduce the appearance of timber and is available in a wide choice of styles, including contemporary grey tones and more traditional wood effects.
LVT is a layered synthetic floor that can also reproduce wood and other materials. It's water resistant, making it particularly practical for kitchens, bathrooms and other areas where moisture is more likely.
Which Flooring Is Best for Your Budget?
Don't compare flooring purely by the advertised price per square metre.
The total cost of your project can also include:
- Flooring wastage.
- Underlay or adhesive where required.
- Subfloor preparation.
- Trims and profiles.
- Professional fitting.
- Delivery.
Laminate and LVT can provide affordable alternatives to genuine timber, while engineered and solid wood may appeal if having a genuine hardwood surface is a priority.
The best value is ultimately the floor that fits your budget while meeting the requirements of the room.
How Do You Choose a Flooring Style?
Once you've chosen the right flooring type, you can focus on colour, texture and pattern.
Light and Natural Oak can provide a relaxed foundation, while Golden tones introduce additional warmth. Smoked, Coffee and Walnut shades can create deeper contrast.
You can also consider different finishes and surface treatments, including lacquered, oiled, brushed and hand-scraped options on relevant wood products.
Rather than relying entirely on photographs online, compare samples in your own room. Natural and artificial lighting can noticeably affect how flooring colours and undertones appear.
Why Order Flooring Samples Before Buying?
Samples are one of the simplest ways to narrow down your choice.
Place your samples alongside your walls, furniture and other materials, then look at them during both daylight and evening lighting.
This gives you a much better understanding of how the colour, grain and texture will work in your actual space before committing to a complete order.
Why Choose Flooring365?
Flooring365 offers a broad selection of engineered wood, solid wood, parquet, laminate and LVT, making it easier to compare different flooring types, colours and specifications in one place.
Our team can also help if you're unsure which flooring type is appropriate for your room or requirements.
Most importantly, you don't need to make your decision based solely on an online photograph.
Explore our flooring collections and order FREE unlimited samples of your favourites to compare the colours, grains and finishes in your own home before choosing your new floor.
