Key Takeaways
- Engineered wood suits most living spaces and works with underfloor heating.
- Tile and stone are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and wet areas.
- LVT (luxury vinyl) is durable, warm underfoot and water-resistant.
- Solid wood is beautiful but less stable over underfloor heating.
- Match the floor to the room's use, moisture and your budget.
Flooring sets the tone of a room and takes the most wear of any surface, so choosing the right type for each space matters. Here is how the main options compare on cost, durability and where they work best.
The main options
| Flooring | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered wood | Living spaces, open-plan | Stable, works with underfloor heating |
| Solid wood | Period living rooms, bedrooms | Beautiful, less stable over heating |
| Tile / stone | Kitchens, bathrooms, wet areas | Most durable, ideal with underfloor heating |
| LVT (luxury vinyl) | Kitchens, hallways, family rooms | Warm, water-resistant, hard-wearing |
| Laminate | Budget projects, bedrooms | Affordable, cannot be refinished |
Engineered vs solid wood
Engineered wood has a real wood surface on a stable core, making it resistant to moisture and movement and ideal over underfloor heating, which is why it suits most modern living spaces. Solid wood is beautiful and can be sanded many times, but it moves more and is less stable over heated floors, so it is better in traditional rooms without underfloor heating.
Kitchens, bathrooms and wet areas
For kitchens, bathrooms and anywhere water is present, choose tile, stone or LVT. They are water-resistant, durable and easy to clean, and tile and stone conduct underfloor heat brilliantly. LVT adds warmth and quiet underfoot, making it a favourite for busy family kitchens.
How to choose
Match the floor to the room's use, moisture and your budget: durable, water-resistant surfaces in wet and busy areas, warm and characterful wood or wood-effect in living spaces, and check everything is rated for underfloor heating if you have it. To specify the right flooring throughout your renovation, contact us or call 07472 424 226.