How To Choose A Floor For A Flat and For a House?

Today, natural wooden floors are very popular among homeowners. They guarantee great final effect and natural looks no matter if it is open plan flat or multi room house and can be used to add exquisite appeal and charm to the interiors where you want to install a new floor.

But, when making choices related to your flooring project, be it the installation of a new floor or renovation of the existing one, you need to pay attention to certain very important details. And different aspects need to be considered when choosing a floor for a flat and a private house. This refers among other things to the installation and usage.

In the case of flats, you should focus above all on noise reduction, as sometimes leaseholders are permitted to install only an underlay and a carpet on the floor. It’s mainly due to the fact that natural wood floors create high volume of noise and thus other tenants living in the same flat building can be dissatisfied. Thus, flat owners who are thinking about installing wooden flooring should focus on levelling the subfloor, the underlay, the thickness of the board, as well as the installation method. You need to consider several factors in the decision-making process.

Here are a few questions that you may ask yourself:

• Which installation method will be the best for the given interior?
• Will a thinner floor board create more noise due to its flexibility?
• Should I definitely go for thick, or can I choose a thinner floor board, when using a high-quality underlay?
• What’s the best underlay for reducing noises?

A thicker underlay will definitely be a better choice, as it will absorb both the impact noise of people walking on the floor and airborne noise from voices, if you would like to install a floating floor. However, if you want to prevent the movement and get increased stability, it is recommended to glue it completely to the subfloor.

It’s easier to find a solution tailored to your needs if you live in a private house. You don’t need to remember about any restrictions and can basically develop the flooring project yourself, making all the required decisions on your own.

Factors which you definitely need to focus on include:

• stability
• high durability,
• resistance to damages
• degree of traffic (especially if you live with your family, have kids and pets).

When it comes to noise level, it’s not much of a problem for you if you live in a house. You don’t have neighbours that would live above or below you that you would need to be concerned about. Therefore, you can prioritize your own needs.

When laying the floor in your house you need to make sure that it’s stable. Don’t pay that much attention to noise reduction most house owners choose solid hardwood flooring rather than engineered flooring. They require a floor which does not expand and contract a lot, is highly durable, more stable and lasts long without showing signs of wear and tear. That is why they usually go for thicker boards and when it comes to the installation method – they often opt for gluing it down to the subfloor. In private houses, owners are not really concerned about under-floor heating or the underlay, as they think it’s a long-term investment that will pay off over the years.

No matter where you want to install the floor, carefully consider all the details. As most of us are usually in a rush, striving to find balance between home and work, we don’t have much time to get into all the details and think about all the aspects that are crucial for a flooring project to be successful. That is why you should involve others when making a decision. Try to ask your friends and family for advice, but most of all turn to a professional who will address your needs and give you a helpful hand in solving any possible doubts you may have. Don’t rush, take conscious decisions as you install a floor that will serve you long years. Do everything you can to be satisfied with your choices.