When it comes to flooring, shoppers often have some ideas to start off with. Perhaps they want a light wood for the living room, something more durable in the hallway, and then in the kitchen (where muddy shoes are expected), they want a floor that can withstand a dropped glass and the occasional enthusiastic dinner party.
These ideas are a great start, but there’s much more to it. Choosing a floor goes beyond just looking at samples or a few pictures online. Every room serves a different purpose and has a different usage scenario (sometimes a family and their door usage). The use case for each area and the interior below the flooring can vary widely when planning floor types.
Here at Londoners Flooring, we do home consultations to help you address these details.
Let’s start with your room.
The first step is to look properly. We consider the size and shape of the room, the amount of natural light it receives, the condition of the existing floor, and details like a bay window or fitted furniture that might create an awkward arrangement.
There are many different types of London homes. An example is an old Victorian home, where the carpet may hide boards that are uneven. A modern flat may have an area that is so tight between doors that a lift is needed to consider it. A home with a dog and family will have different needs in terms of flooring than a quiet flat at the top of a building. These types of details help when choosing final flooring options.
We will also ask how the room will be used. Is it a main foot traffic area from the front door? Will it have to cope with kids, pets, or regular visitors? Are you looking to put underfloor heating in? It may not be practical to recommend a gorgeous finish if it is going to be a pain to live with.
Looking under the floor.
An attractive floor begins with a good sub-floor. During the site visit, we check the sub floor to see if it is dry, solid, and evenly leveled for the chosen material.
In some instances, not much work is needed. In other instances, existing carpet, laminate, or tile will need to be removed, or surfaces will need to be smoothed out before fittings, to prepare surfaces. It is better to identify this work ahead of time than to find it mid-installation and it ensures the quote is accurate.
Discussing the options
This is where samples meet practicality. Take for example, in bedrooms and living rooms, engineered wood will add warmth and charm, but in kitchens, corridors and other areas of high traffic, luxury vinyl is often the more practical choice. The particular room, your desired look and level of maintenance will determine the best option.
We discuss different surfaces and their feelings, responses to moisture, and routine care. Feel free to bring a colour scheme or a sample you like. If you do not have one, that’s fine. The purpose of the visit is to help you understand the options available.
When considering the specifics of measurements, we look at more than the length and width of a room. For example, we account for recesses, transitions from one room to another, door clearances, and other easily overlooked areas of a floor when ordering materials online. This helps eliminate waste or avoid surprises in the fit of your floors. We can also discuss other finishing options like thresholds, trims, and skirting boards.
From the visit, you should have a good grasp of what the proposed work will involve. The quotation will clearly outline which flooring, prep, and fitting work have been included so you know what you’re working with before deciding.
A home visit is a practical starting point for any project, big or small, in your home. It eliminates the guesswork by incorporating an accurate understanding of the space and how best to utilise it.
We can book a free flooring home visit in London at your convenience. Call now to book Londoners Flooring.