Before you buy

With any type of flooring it's important to work out how much you need.  Most companies, like ourselves, will offer a measuring and fitting service.

Working out how much flooring you will need.
Unlike carpets there is very little waste when it comes to plank floor coverings.  A professional fitter can keep wastage down to just 2%.

There is usually around 2 square meters of coverage in each pack.  Measure your room and round up to the nearest square meter.  Compare this with the coverage stated on the pack, you'll then be able to calculate the number of packs you'll need.

If you are fitting the floors yourself add an extra pack to cover the inevitable wastage.  Retailers usually take back any unopened packs and give a full refund.

Tongue & Groove
Traditional planks use tongue and groove, which describes the way the individual planks fix together.

With this type, a tongue that projects from the side of one plank fits into the groove of the adjacent plank. 

Tongue and groove is quite complicated to fix together.  First you have to fit the tongue into the groove, which is actually harder than it sounds, then you have to knock the side of one plank so it firmly fits into place, this is done with a tool which you can hit with a hammer.  Getting this stage wrong usually dislodges planks that have already been joined.

Tongue and groove floors will also require gluing and being wedged together until the glue sets.  If you don't use enough glue or don't keep the planks held together correctly it can lead to gaps between the planks.

If you are not used to kneeling on a floor or bending over for long periods of time this job is going to be long and painful.

Click Lock Flooring
Click lock planks are far easier and quicker to fit, they simply snap easily into place and hold firm. 

Click lock planks have edges that are shaped allowing for a simple action to fit them together, once they are in place they should not come apart.

Because these planks are cut by machines they have a very tight fitting joint which reduces the chances of gaps forming after it has been fitted.

The best advantage of click lock flooring is the planks can be un-clicked and removed easily should you need to get to the floor beneath.  You can not do this with tongue and groove flooring.

Laminate Flooring
Always buy the best quality you can afford.

Avoid laminate flooring with chipboard as its core.  This type of core can expand and contract quite a bit.  It is also best to avoid packs that have been damaged.

If you think the material looks cheap in the package, it is going to look cheap when it's fitted.  You can put all the effort you can muster into doing a good fitting job but this will not detract from the look of the flooring.

Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood floors are often similar to each other, but it is worth choosing the click and lock verity than the tongue and groove boards, which are far harder to fit.

Like all natural products the planks will vary in colour, check you like the varying colours the planks will come in and whether you like the knots in the wood.

You can see the planks fitted together on in-store display panels.  Have a good look at the quality of the finish and compare different manufacturer's products to find the one you'll love.

You'll also need
You will need a damp proof membrane if you are laying over a cement or concrete floor.  Thicker foams or felts are best, but again, buy the best you can afford, as it offers better protection. 

Often the manufacturer will recommend which underlay to use and whether this affects their guarantee.

Test before you buy!
Many flooring shops have off cuts they are willing to give to you so you can check how the colour will look in your home.  Some will charge if you want the sample sent through the post.

Laminate usually has a slight sheen which reflects light around your room.  Wood can come oiled, lacquered or unfinished.  Lacquer is a hard varnish that protects the wood and adds a shiny finish.  Whereas oil, protects the wood and gives it a more natural finish.