After buying a home, furnishing it, decorating, and fixing little bits and bobs, the expenditure can really add up fast. It is no surprise then, that when it comes to flooring you may be reluctant to spend even more and put off the task for a later date – one that may actually never come. But it doesn’t have to be this way! If you want that gorgeous natural oak look, or perhaps that of the sophisticated walnut or provocative acacia, you can have it; you just have to take some things into consideration. Luxury Flooring & Furnishings have written this handy guide to ensure you can get the look you want for less, and without sacrificing quality or beauty.

Engineered Wood

Did you know there are two types of wood flooring? Solid wood flooring is exactly what it says on the tin, that being purely wood through and through. Engineered wood, however, uses a solid wood layer on top for the identical authentic look and feel, but underneath this surface plywood layers are utilised for greater stability. Although engineered wood can be sanded down less often than solid wood and therefore doesn’t last as long, it can still last decades depending on the thickness of the wear layer (generally the number of millimetres correlates with the number of sandings the floor can withstand). This plywood is also in fact more beneficial in that it allows the use of underfloor heating, and can better handle spillages. If a few extra years of an already long lifespan is not important to you, this is the ultimate choice for wood flooring on a budget.

Wood Imitations

We know what you’re thinking – but hear us out. In the past, materials like laminate flooring and vinyl were considered tacky and low quality, and could be recognised as such from a mile away. However, technology has advanced in recent years, allowing for a much more authentic looking floor. Vinyl is available in the form of luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) instead of the standard sheet vinyl. This LVT comes in individual planks, and is hard-wearing and waterproof – the latter being an advantage over wood flooring. For a fraction of the price, it may surprise you to learn the standard guarantees can be the same as wood, if not longer for LVT, as well as laminate. Laminate is not 100% waterproof, but is water resistant enough to be used in a bathroom – again unlike wood flooring. Both can also be used with underfloor heating, and are sometimes ‘textured’ for a more realistic feel underfoot. In blind tests, most non-experts cannot tell the difference between these imitations and the real thing, and if you simply can’t believe this, there is no harm in ordering some free samples to see for yourself! This is one for those on a serious budget, and you could save hundreds or even thousands by choosing one of these options.

Fit It Yourself

Fitting a floor is not at all as hard as it seems, and is a great way to save money over hiring a professional fitter. Most wood floors come with a ‘tongue and groove’ installation system, and can be laid as what is known as a ‘floating floor’. This means you simply need to put the pieces together like a jigsaw. You may need PVA glue for the tongue and groove joints, but nothing else. Other floors, including some wood, some LVT and all laminates, come with ‘click’ systems. These are just as easy to put together, but a bit sturdier and without the need for PVA glue. Any floors that do require adhesive, such a LVT, come with instructions on the adhesive you purchase – simple right? This is highly recommended due to the abundance of installation guides online, and could save you hundreds of pounds.

We hope you take something valuable away from this guide and manage to save lots of money! Can you think of any other tips? Let us know what else you will do to save money on wood flooring.

Luxury Flooring & Furnishings are the leading online retailer of flooring in the UK. They stock solid wood, engineered wood, parquet, laminate, LVT, carpet and accessories for all types of flooring at the lowest prices in Europe. Free samples are available from their website www.luxuryflooringandfurnishings.co.uk or by contacting 0333 577 0025.