When it comes to flooring, the options seem endless, but the right choice can significantly impact the aesthetics and functionality of your space.
WATCH: Juliet Love makes over a loungeroom floor
We’ll dive into the world of flooring, with a particular focus on tiles, timber laminate, vinyl, and carpet.
Each type of flooring has its unique characteristics and considerations, and we’ll help you make informed decisions every step of the way.
Whether you’re embarking on a DIY project or seeking professional advice, this guide will ensure that your floors not only look good but also stand the test of time.
The best DIY flooring options for your home
Tiles
- Pull a coin across the tile’s surface when choosing a floor tile. On a good quality tile, you should be able to rub the metallic mark off with your finger, leaving no scratch.
- Remember that smaller tiles, when laid, will make a floor look a little busy. If you want to make a space seem bigger, use a larger tile.
- Always buy a few more tiles than you need – this will allow for measuring and cutting mishaps and leave extras for any tiles that might need replacing in later years.
Timber laminate
- Lots of kids and pets? Laminate planks with a varied grain pattern and a low-gloss finish are going to be much easier to keep looking good than high-gloss, one-way grain.
- If the underfloor is uneven, choose narrower planks rather than wide ones – they will be much easier to lay.
- All laminate flooring needs a foam underlay. Not only does it make the floor feel softer underfoot, it also evens out small inconsistencies in the underfloor, which makes it easier to lay the laminate planks.
- Do yourself a favour and invest in a DIY laminate floor installation kit – it will make the job considerably easier.
Vinyl
- Sheet vinyl (on a roll) generally costs less than vinyl planks or tiles (laid individually), and can be cut and laid precisely to the size of your room. However, this is generally a job for a professional.
- For a moderately competent DIY person, vinyl tiles are a better choice, as the individual tiles are easier to handle, and one mistake doesn’t mean you’ve ruined the whole floor!
- Because it is installed in a few large pieces, sheet vinyl has fewer joins, and is therefore slightly more impermeable to moisture than planks or tiles – making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.
- If a sheet vinyl floor is damaged with a scratch or stain, your only option is to replace the whole floor or add a visible patch. Damaged vinyl tiles or planks can be removed singly and replaced.
Carpet
- A good home handyman or woman can install carpet, but it’s a heavy job because of the weight and width of the rolls. If you don’t feel competent, call the experts – mistakes can be costly.
- If you do plan to do it yourself, talk to your hardware store about the special tools that you’ll need to buy or hire.
- A patterned carpet will require matching, so there will be more waste – don’t forget to allow for this.
- If laying broadloom carpet seems too difficult, perhaps carpet tiles might offer a DIY solution.
- Consider asthma and allergy-friendly carpet options like Brease carpet, developed with ultra-fresh EasyBac+ technology for ultimate hygiene. Visit the nearest Choices Flooring store to shop the range today.
You might also like:
Remove carpet stains with this easy ironing hack
A beginner’s guide to hard and soft flooring options
Related stories
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%