Internal flooring might feel like a finishing touch for your house extension or loft conversion, but it’s worth starting to think about it early in the process.
A great architect will start the conversation as they draw up your architectural floor plans, but if you’re not sure where to begin, here are a few of the biggest pros and cons for different internal flooring options.
Hardwood flooring
It’s durable and beautiful, and comes in a wide variety of shades to complement every style of home. You can choose from dark woods, like walnut, for a mid-century feel, or pine, for a rustic feel, with a plenty of options for laying patterns, varnishes and finishes.
If you choose solid hardwood floors you can sand and refinish the planks many times over, meaning that your floors can last for hundreds of years. However, engineered wood, which is a thin layer of compressed wood placed onto a backing, is a more affordable option if you’re looking for something that requires less upkeep.
Hardwood floors are never appropriate for damp areas such as bathrooms, as they warp with moisture.
Hardwood floors are a big investment, and can be very expensive. They’re also susceptible to scratches and marks, and don’t absorb sound very well, which is worth bearing in mind if you have downstairs neighbours!
