Flooring Systems

Flooring is one of those things we don’t often think about, but it can make a huge difference to the feel of your home. Everybody has a different perspective when it comes to choosing what’s best for each living space, but whether you prioritise cost efficiency, style or function there is something for everyone.

So where do you start?

Vinyl Flooring

• Cost Efficient
• Easy Maintenance
• Can mimic the look of other flooring types such as wooden planks, tiles, and stone
• A bit softer than some other options (though can sometimes not feel very plush underfoot)
• Durable

PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) Flooring

• Longwearing Durability
• Can mimic the look of other flooring types such as wooden planks, tiles, and stone
• Can be warmer than tiles
• Perfect for renovating

SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) Flooring

• Luxury Product
• SPC vinyl has a stone/plastic composite core, made largely of stone dust, stabilizers, and PVC to strengthen the product
• Easy to install with the click-locking joint system
• Waterproof
• Durability & strength of stone
• Topped with a wear layer for added protection from scrapes and spills
• Sound absorbing due to a foam or cork backing
• Backing also softens the floor underfoot
• Look of hardwood flooring
• Easy maintenance
• Can be warmer than tiles

Tiles

• Incredibly durable
• Won’t wear like other flooring types as they are designed to withstand most forms of wear and tear
• Hold their quality for years

• Porcelain Tiles

  • Denser
  • More water resistant
  • Durable
  • Best suited to high traffic areas such as hallways and kitchens

• Ceramic Tiles

  • Great choice for bathroom walls and floors
  • Durable

It is good to note the following when choosing to install tiles in your home:

• Tiles are a hard product – If something is dropped onto a tile and it chips or cracks it can be hard to find a replacement tile. Batches can change in colour slightly so if you are laying tiles it is best order extra in case this happens.
• Grout lines in between tiles can change colours and are porous so may hold dirt/mould. There are waterproof options available such as epoxy grout which has a higher cost but is more durable and almost stain proof.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring’s surface is a printed copy of wood, overlaid with a very strong resin, on an MDF or HDF layer. This is backed with a plastic or resin to hold everything stable.

• Incredibly durable
• Great low maintenance & hassle-free option for busy family homes

A few things to note

• The quality of the print is what dictates how good the floor will look once installed
• Not all laminates are waterproof
• They can dent and get water damage the same way wood can

Timber Flooring

• No two planks are alike, so once installed your floor will be entirely unique
• Many options to find your style whether it be sleek & sophisticated or rustic with knots
• Downsides to this is they are relatively easily damaged by things such as UV rays, and easily scratched and dented from animal claws, dragging furniture or kids with toys

Polished Concrete

• Thermal properties mean it soaks up the heat of the day and releases it, keeping you warm and cosy at night
• Easy to clean
• Great for those who suffer from allergies
• Can create a look that is distinctly your own
• Note that this floor can be prone to cracking and can also be very hard & cold on your feet

Carpet

• Durable and versatile
• Makes your home feel warmer
• More insulation underfoot therefore can also be an energy saving bonus
• Brilliant sound insulation
• Great for kids as its comfortable to sit & play on and can cushion falls
• Plenty of variety in colours and thickness

At Anthem Homes we work with a standard of 4 kg Carpet with 12mm underlay though you can choose as low or high as 3kg, 4kg, 5kg, 7 kg or 9kg depending on your preference and price requirements.

A small tip: Be aware of your door clearances when choosing a thicker carpet.

Most importantly, choose a flooring that you and your family are going to enjoy for years to come.