The best hard flooring options explained

Floors get a lot of use, as well as being an important base for your decor, so finding the right surface for your spaces is crucial.

Carpet and rugs have their place, particularly where you want softness underfoot, but hard flooring gets a big tick in high-traffic zones calling for practicality, durability and ease of maintenance. There are plenty of options, from timber and tiles to products that resemble the real thing. Plus, if you’re handy on the tools, many can be fitted D.I.Y. Here are our picks.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

At a glance: What are the best hard flooring options?

• Timber floorboards: Long-lasting and suits most interiors.
• Laminate boards: Gives a timer look and is scratch-resistant.
• Engineered floorboards: Water-resistant and real wood aesthetics.
• Tiled flooring: Durable, luxury feel.
• Vinyl flooring: Budget-friendly, water-resistant.

How to clean hard floors

To keep hard floors looking good, regularly brush or vacuum up debris that could cause scratches, avoid dragging items and use furniture protectors. Invest in doormats for entry points. Only ever wield a lightly damp mop, especially for timber or laminate, and check your cleaning products suit the floor material. Wipe up liquid spills quickly and reserve steam cleaning for ceramic tiles.

Tip: Check out our guide on how to clean hardwood floors properly.

What are the different kinds of hard floor boards?

• Timber: It has neutral good looks that suit most interior styles. Designer Annabelle McQuillan, of Bespoke Belle Building Design, says solid timber is her ultimate choice, primarily because of its longevity. “It is an authentically natural product that can be sanded and refinished multiple times,” she adds.

• Laminate boards: You can get the timber look for less with laminate boards, which are scratch-resistant and easy to maintain, says D.I.Y. specialist Natasha Dickins of Little Red Industries. “They’re not waterproof though, and best for living areas, hallways and bedrooms,” she advises.

• Engineered boards: Alternatively, consider engineered boards, made with timber veneer over a plywood base, or hybrid flooring, which is good for high-traffic and wet areas (except showers).

 

What are the benefits of tile flooring?

Tiles are favoured by those hankering for a rustic look, colourful backdrop or restrained luxury, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries.

Can you tile a floor yourself?

Handy D.I.Y.ers can tackle a tiled floor but, if it needs waterproofing, floor wastes or falls, you’ll need to call in the professionals. If doing it yourself, plan the tile layout carefully, advises Annabelle. “Centring the layout creates balance, and aligning tiles so that key focal points, such as doorways, feature full or near-full tiles produces a neater finish,” she says.

Choice of grout matters, too. “To minimise visual ageing, match the grout colour to the tile,” suggests Annabelle. “In high-traffic areas, sealing the grout is also worthwhile to help maintain its appearance.”

What are the benefits of vinyl flooring?

• Cost: Quick-fit vinyl, in sheeting or planks is at the budget end of hard flooring options.
• Ease of installation: It’s a good choice for speedy makeovers or rentals.
• Water-resistant: It can be used on a bathroom floor (but not inside a shower cubicle). However, it is not completely waterproof. “Be mindful around wet areas like the shower to ensure moisture doesn’t seep underneath,” says Natasha. Self-stick vinyl tiles have a similar look to ceramic tiles and are more forgiving underfoot, but are generally less durable.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Q: How to lay solid wood floors?
At a glance: Look beautiful but require skilled installation.
A: To lay solid timber, it’s best to call in the pros, says Natasha. “Tongue-and-groove boards, or even hand-laid parquetry, require expert installation and finishing,” she warns. But other types of flooring can be fitted by competent D.I.Y.ers, as long as the substrate is stable, level, clean and dry. If possible, remove the skirting boards first. Once reattached, they should help to hide any gaps and rough edges. “If the trim can’t be removed, consider adding a matching self-adhesive scotia around the edges once the flooring is down,” suggests Natasha.

How to install floating floors?
At a glance: Minimal fuss, quick-to-lay D.I.Y. option.
A: These click-together systems are laid on a foam or rubber underlay on existing substrate and are made up of laminate, hybrid or engineered timber. To install a floating floor, you’ll need a rubber mallet, tapping block, pull bar, spacers and specialised cutting equipment. “Begin installation from the left corner on the longest wall in the room,” advises Natasha. “Use the pull bar to lock in the rows and the tapping block to push the ends of the boards together. Position the spacers between the boards and the wall to maintain an expansion gap around the edge.

How to fit vinyl?
At a glance: Budget-friendly, easiest flooring to lay yourself.
A: Fitting vinyl sheeting yourself is fairly straightforward and the simplest to D.I.Y. “Buy it off the roll, cut to fit with a utility knife and simply secure to the subfloor with double-sided tape,” says Natasha. Self-adhesive vinyl tiles are planned from the centre of the room, in common with the ceramic version. Trim to fit around fixtures with the help of a profile guide or paper template for a neat finish. You may need to install a trip-resistant trim for transition zones such as doorways – something to be mindful of when installing all types of flooring.

How to lay tiles?
Durable finish; can be installed by a competent D.I.Y.er
A: Good tools are essential for a tiling job. You’ll need a hand tile cutter for straight cuts, and an angle grinder with a diamond blade for trickier ones. Mix tiles from different boxes to guard against colour variations across the range, and be mindful of how patterns run. “Plan the layout from the centre of the room and minimise cuts where you can,” says Natasha. “Choose a trowel with notches to suit the tile size, mix up batches of adhesive to work in sections and use spacers for even gaps. Allow for drying time before and after grouting, then finish with a sealer.”

 

Photo credit: Smart Home Products, Floor Select, Duratile, Adobe Stock.

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