Flooring is the centre piece of every room, so when it comes to choosing a floor what are the pros and cons of each? We thought we’d help you out.

Lino – A synthetic material that’s sold by the square metre from a large roll. It can be cut to fit the exact measurements of the room you’re flooring.

Pros
Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms
Water resistant
Inexpensive

Cons
Has an artificial look and feel
Not recommended if you plan to sell your home as it devalues the property
If it gets damaged the only way to fix it, is to replace the whole floor as it’s laid in one large sheet
Not easily removable

Laminate – A synthetic and inexpensive flooring material that is traditionally designed to imitate wood. It’s sold in tile or plank form.

Pros
Easy to clean
Water resistant
Inexpensive
Comes in a variety of designs
Easy to self lay
Simple to remove and replace without damaging the existing flooring
Can be replaced slat by slat if the surface becomes damaged

Cons
Not recommended for areas of extreme moisture like bathrooms or laundries
Not appropriate for apartments as it provides little to no soundproofing for residents surrounding your home

Bamboo -A more cost effective alternative to solid timber, bamboo is layered flooring material that is cross-grained to counter act its natural tendencies to expand and contract with temperature changes.

Pros
Won’t scuff or scratch like other flooring materials
A cost effective alternative to solid timber
Can be used in damp climates where solid timber is not recommended
Bamboo is a fast growing and renewable material source

Cons
It’s thinner than solid wood and as such doesn’t have the thermal benefits of timber

Solid Timber -This is exactly as it sounds, solid timber planks.

Pros
Natural and renewable material source
Extremely durable if sealed properly
Easy to clean and care for
Sound proof

Cons
High foot traffic areas need regular sanding and stripping for both appearances and moisture maintenance
Not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms or humid climates
Maintenance can be expensive