When you start a family, every day becomes an adventure. With kids running wild and pets causing mischief, it’s inevitable that you’re going to be in for a few surprises. Consequently, it’s best to make sure that your home is up to the challenge.
Whilst many homeowners start by child-proofing more obvious furnishings, such as sofas, cupboards, and appliances, it’s not uncommon for flooring to be overlooked.
It’s easy to underestimate the importance of getting the right choice of flooring. But the truth is, your floors tackle more daily wear and tear than any other furnishing in your house.
Whether your children are just learning to crawl, or they’ve already found their feet, you need a choice of flooring that’s durable, wear resistant, and stable.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
Check out our top 4 picks for best family flooring, and get a head start on your next renovation.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is by far the most durable choice on the market. Whether installed in domestic or commercial environments, you’re guaranteed to receive performance and longevity that’s unrivalled by other alternatives.
But there is one clear drawback of solid wood flooring that makes it less desirable for family homes.
Real woods are susceptible to warping and shrinkages in areas of humidity and moisture. This means that they’ll become damaged if your family members make any accidental spills and splashes.
As this is inevitable in any family home, this is not the most optimal choice you can make.
That’s where engineered wood flooring comes in…
Engineered boards utilise progressive manufacturing techniques to appear indistinguishable from solid wood flooring, with the added benefit of extra dimensional stability.
Each plank is composed of a core of compressed timber, and a surface veneer of real wood. The sturdy core prevents movement from inside the board, whilst the surface provides resilience against impact, footfall, and scratches.
As a result, you won’t have to worry about your pets or children harming your flooring with their daily misadventures.
Parquet Flooring
Not the most practical, but definitely the most stunning, Parquet flooring – french for ‘a small compartment’ is a geometric mosaic of wood pieces used for decorative effect in flooring. Parquet patterns are often entirely geometrical and angular—squares, triangles, lozenges—but may contain curves. The most popular parquet flooring pattern is herringbone.
Asa’s grandmother had parquet flooring in her large hallway, and its definitely something I would love to add, they are considered better than regular floor tiles as they are warmer underfoot, unfortunately they’re not very good at absorbing sound, so I may have to wait until some of the children have moved out before I get my perfect looking hallway.
Laminate
If you’re looking for the durability and wear resistance or engineered wood flooring, but are on a tighter budget, laminate is an excellent alternative.
Constructed from wood composites such as HDF, laminate is much cheaper to buy, and won’t take a big chunk out of your bank account. Ultimately, this allows you to spend more money on activities with your loved ones!
Whilst laminate is cheaper, this doesn’t mean it has less advantages. The smooth surface is easy to maintain, and naturally resistant to stains. This means that you won’t have to spend hours rectifying spillages and pacifying damages.
In addition to low maintenance, laminate is quick and easy to install. The intuitive click fitting system allows each board to seamlessly lock together without additional adhesives and hassle.
This is excellent news for those who like to get hands on around the house, saving money with a spot of DIY. Additionally, re-installation is just as easy, allowing you to remove any damaged boards, opposed to the entire floor.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles
For a perfect balance of both real and synthetic woods, look no further than luxury vinyl tiles!
LVT combines the high durability and wear resistance of engineered wood flooring, and the low maintenance and cheap cost of laminate.
Each tile is composed of a unique PVC blend for strength and stability, and aesthetic layer for hyper realistic definition, and a urethane coating for child and pet friendly characteristics. The tile’s surface is also treated to reduce the risk of slippages, so you can rest assured that your children will be safe, even when they’re running rings around you.
Moreover, vinyl tiles are 100% waterproof, making them a highly versatile choice. Whether installed in bathrooms, kitchens, or conservatories, you’re sure to receive the same unfaltering lifespan.
LVT also delivers and number of health benefits.
Not only do the tiles refrain from harbouring dust and debris on the surface, they also improve the air quality within your home. By allowing air and heat to circulate properly, there’s less risk of air-borne particles from triggering allergies and health problems.
Remember, a healthy home is a happy home!
*this is a collaborative post*