Flooring and tiling: what suits each room
- Ceramic and porcelain: very resistant to water and wear. A good choice for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and, with a non-slip finish, outdoor areas. Porcelain is denser and absorbs less water.
- Laminate (floating floor): boards that click together over an underlay, with no glue. Quick to lay and warm underfoot. Best for living rooms and bedrooms, away from water.
- Vinyl: thin, comfortable and quiet. Many ranges are water-resistant, so they work in kitchens and bathrooms. It needs a very smooth base.
- Wall tiles: protect against water and are easy to clean. Large formats mean fewer grout lines but need straighter walls.
The base is half the job
A floor only looks right if the base is level, dry and solid. If it isn't, the problems show up later: grout that cracks, boards that lift, hollow tiles that sound empty when you tap them.
Before laying anything, we check the level. Where needed, we even out the base with screed, which is a layer of sand and cement mortar, or with self-levelling compound, a liquid mix that spreads by itself and leaves a flat surface.
Sometimes the new floor can go over the old one, such as vinyl or laminate over sound ceramic tiles. But the door heights and the transitions between rooms have to be checked first.
Preparing your home, and what affects the price
Clear furniture and belongings from the rooms we'll be working in. When ordering material, allow a little extra for cuts, and keep a few spare pieces for future repairs. The cost of the work depends mainly on:
- The area and the number of rooms.
- The condition of the base and the removal of the old floor.
- The material and format: large tiles or patterns such as herringbone take longer.
- Skirting boards, threshold strips and trims.
- Doors that need trimming to the new floor height.
Frequently asked questions
Can new flooring be laid over the old floor?
In many cases, yes, if the old floor is solid and level. Vinyl or laminate over ceramic tiles is common. During the visit we check the base and the door heights.
What's the best flooring for kitchens and bathrooms?
Ceramic, porcelain or water-resistant vinyl. Laminate isn't suitable for wet areas, because it swells if water gets into the joints.
How long does it take to lay a new floor?
It depends on the area, the preparation needed and the material. Laminate and vinyl go down faster. Tiles need time for the adhesive and grout to set before the floor can take normal use.
Is laminate flooring noisy?
It can be if the underlay is poor. A good underlay reduces footstep noise, which matters in a flat because of the neighbours below.
Do the skirting boards have to come off?
Usually, yes, so the floor can be finished neatly against the walls. Afterwards we fit new skirting or refit the old boards if they're in good condition.