Fab Floors From traditional wooden boards to soft carpet, funky rubber to classic stone, flooring is fundamental to the look <strong>and</strong> feel of a room. What flooring where? Flooring must be practical. For the hall <strong>and</strong> probably the living room, too, the toughest, most durable flooring is best, while a more delicate type will be fine in a spare bedroom. For kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms <strong>and</strong> conservatories, consider how well it will withst<strong>and</strong> spills, splashes <strong>and</strong> general humidity. Choose the right flooring for each space <strong>and</strong> it will both look good <strong>and</strong> last. Timber Beautiful <strong>and</strong> hard-wearing, timber floorboards are available in a range of colours <strong>and</strong> patterns. It is often possible to recondition an existing wood floor by mending or replacing damaged boards <strong>and</strong> s<strong>and</strong>ing carefully, then finishing it with oil, wax or lacquer. If not, choose new hardwood from an environmentally friendly source or seek out recycled boards from an architectural salvage yard – these have the advantage of years of beautiful patina. Solid-wood engineered boards are cross-bonded for stability (meaning they won’t warp or move, which solid timber is prone to), making them a good choice with underfloor heating, while cheaper, but less longlasting, are either a multi-layered or veneered wood floor, where the surface is a thin layer of hardwood attached to a base of cheaper wood, MDF, cork or plywood, or a wood-effect laminate floor, in which a photograph of wood is bonded to a chipboard base <strong>and</strong> protected with a high-pressure laminate surface. Carpet Soft, warm <strong>and</strong> quiet underfoot, carpet comes in two main types: woven, which is harder-wearing <strong>and</strong> more expensive, <strong>and</strong> tufted, the durability of which is related to its pile height <strong>and</strong> density. Carpets are classified for light, moderate, general, heavy <strong>and</strong> extra-heavy domestic use. Select a tough carpet for a hallway: perhaps an 80:20 (wool:nylon) twist classified for heavy domestic, while for a living room a combination of a luxury look with a robust performance, such as a loop or velvet pile, would be best. A spare bedroom carpet could be more delicate – a velvet or Saxony classified for light domestic use, for example. For a seamless look, lay carpet suitable for general use throughout. Carpets are inadvisable in kitchens <strong>and</strong> bathrooms. Natural fibres In a wide range of colours <strong>and</strong> weaves, sisal, coir, seagrass, rush <strong>and</strong> jute are warm <strong>and</strong> soundproof <strong>and</strong>, often, good value for money. The rougher the surface, the more hard-wearing it will be – so sisal <strong>and</strong> coir may feel uncomfortable underfoot at first. Jute has the softest feel, but is the least durable. A stain inhibitor is advisable. Hard surfaces S<strong>and</strong>stone, limestone, granite, marble <strong>and</strong> terrazzo are expensive floorings that last a lifetime <strong>and</strong> have a beautiful, individual grain <strong>and</strong> patina. In areas that might become wet <strong>and</strong> slippery choose a version that is matt or slightly textured – s<strong>and</strong>ed for a rough finish, or riven for an attractive, h<strong>and</strong>-split effect. Ceramic tiles are heat- <strong>and</strong> waterresistant, hard-wearing <strong>and</strong> low maintenance. They vary widely in price <strong>and</strong> come in a vast array of shapes, sizes <strong>and</strong> designs. Unglazed terracotta tiles (or quarry tiles) are rugged <strong>and</strong> nonslip. Sheet flooring Softer <strong>and</strong> warmer than stone or timber, sheet floor coverings – vinyl, linoleum <strong>and</strong> cork – are relatively inexpensive <strong>and</strong> very easy to clean. Lino is a traditional material made from natural ingredients, while vinyl is a PVC-based man-made material, which comes in a huge range of textures <strong>and</strong> patterns. Cork is hard-wearing, resilient to water <strong>and</strong> offers an interesting, natural look. Rubber, good-looking, practical <strong>and</strong> tactile, is available in smooth or textured designs, the latter ideal for bathrooms. Rubber floors should be laid professionally. What Lies Beneath The success of any flooring depends on the sub-floor underneath. It must be level <strong>and</strong> dry, with no protruding nails. A good quality underlay will prolong carpet life <strong>and</strong> add comfort <strong>and</strong> insulation, while laying thin sheets of board may be necessary to prepare for sheet flooring such as vinyl or lino. Before laying heavy stone tiles, the sub-floor may need reinforcing – check with your builder or a structural engineer if in doubt. Tiles are best laid onto a smooth concrete or cementbased backer board. by Kathrine Sorrell Image: Made from hard-wearing honed limestone, this tumbled stone creates a modern rustic vibe, with fossilisation <strong>and</strong> markings adding to its look <strong>and</strong> feel. It can be laid in all rooms <strong>and</strong> is suitable for use with underfloor heating. Tumbled Med-Grey limestone, from £49.08 per square metre, Indigenous: 01993 824 200; indigenous.co.uk. 70
HOME IMPROVEMENTS A LUXURY KITCHEN OR BATHROOM Whether its a new kitchen or bathroom you are looking for we offer a complete package for our customers including any building work, plasterers, tilers, electricians <strong>and</strong> plumbers Call Sal T: 01952 610999 M: 07976 467 830 www.kitchensbyr<strong>and</strong>r.co.uk R&R Kitchens & Bathrooms R&R Services Ltd, Unit B4, Stafford Park 15, Telford TF3 3BB We are specialists in installing loft ladders <strong>and</strong> hatches for easy <strong>and</strong> safe access to your loft. We also provide boarding, lighting <strong>and</strong> insulation solutions. Call us now to find out how we can help you turn your lost space into a really useful loft space. Call Jonathan to book a FREE survey & quotation 01743 626144 71
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