YOUR GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLOORING
Laminate flooring is affordable and easy to maintain but not waterproof; vinyl sheeting, on the other hand, is very durable but difficult to repair. Ilma and Billy Phillips of BILLYPHILLIPS CC, Wellington-based stockist and installer of a wide range of flooring options, weigh up the pros and cons of the different options available to you…
Laminate Flooring
A multi-layer synthetic flooring product that is fused together with a lamination process, laminate flooring simulates wood (and sometimes even stone) with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer.
PROS CONS
• Affordable • Hard under feet
• Very durable surface • Slippery when wet
• Easy to install • Cannot be sanded/refinished
• Easy to clean • Not waterproof
Engineered Flooring
A product made up of a core of hardwood, plywood or high-density fibre-board (HDF) and a top layer of hardwood veneer, engineered flooring is available in almost any hardwood species.
PROS CONS
• Very durable surface • Slippery when wet
• Easy to install • Cannot be sanded/refinished
• Easy to clean and maintain • Not waterproof
• Hard under feet
Vinyl Sheeting
Vinyl flooring is a fully synthetic polymer flooring option with pigmentation added for colour. Flexible and non-porous, it is also highly versatile and offers a combination of resilience, aesthetics, durability, maintainability and value.
PROS CONS
• Quick and easy installation • No resurfacing
• Affordable • A prepared subfloor is required
• Wide variety of prints and styles • Difficult to repair
• Very durable for heavy foot traffic
Vinyl Planks
Vinyl planking is made of five layers of materials pressed together to create very hardwearing floors in limitless designs and colours.
PROS CONS
• Quick and easy installation • No resurfacing
• Affordable • No direct UV
• Wide variety of prints and styles • A prepared subfloor is required
• Very durable
• Water resistant
Carpets
Designed for warm, dry applications, carpeting can be either synthetic (typically made of polyester, nylon or polypropylene) or natural (wool). Carpets come in many patterns, colours and styles.
PROS CONS
• Warmth and comfort • Frequent cleaning/vacuuming
• Wide variety of colours and textures • Unsuitable for allergy sufferers
• Less sound/noise • Sensitive to moisture and stains
To see more of BILLYPHILLIPS CC’s extensive range of flooring products and services, visit http://www.billyphillips.co.za, call 021 873 4540 or pop into the showroom at 63 Burg Street in Wellington.
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