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FAQ about your local flooring shop

FAQ about your local flooring shop

Choosing the right type of flooring for your Melbourne property can get tricky. On the one hand, your floor is directly linked to the look and feel of your home. And on the other, you have to pay attention to the kind of footfall the floor will encounter, the renovation budget, and the levels of moisture exposure it’ll receive. There’s all this, and then you can’t forget how much you’re willing to invest in terms of both effort and money when it comes to maintenance. So, to make these decisions a little easier, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions about your local flooring shop.

Which flooring is best for Melbourne?

There is no one answer for this; let’s find out why. When you ask about the best flooring option for ‘Melbourne’ in particular, we can’t help but consider the climate. Melbourne is typically very warm in the summer months, December through February, ranging from 14- 25.3°C. At the same time, the colder months from June through August vary from 6.5 to 14.2°C. And all the months in between can suffer from high levels of humidity. With all this information, it only makes sense to invest in flooring that can tolerate both extremes of the climate. Here are the best options and why:

Polished concrete

Polished concrete is an excellent option for Melbourne, as it’s low maintenance, durable, non-toxic (if you have children or pets) and stain-resistant. The only downside is that it can get a tad-bit cold under your feet in the winter months. But not as cold as laminate or Vinyl flooring may get for you. This is because polished concrete can absorb heat and release it slowly over time. So if you have central heating or even direct sunlight that hits your home, the excellent insulation of Polished Concrete will offer it back to you.

Engineered timber flooring

We’ve mentioned engineered timber flooring as opposed to standard hardwood flooring because it is made of various layers of wood layered in contrasting directions. These contrasting layers protect the hardwood from any disfigurations caused by moisture, such as warping. Finally, covered by a layer of hardwood, it adds a beautiful earthy touch to your home without spending loads of money on maintenance. Plus, it won’t even feel cold under your feet during the colder months. All types of timber flooring are prevalent in Australia, given how well it fits into the Australian style of homes which are usually modern yet exquisitely inspired by nature.

What is the most reliable flooring?

When it comes to reliability, we expect that you’re looking for a durable flooring option in terms of footfall, spills, moisture and something that can withstand heavy weight. Here are all the options available to you:

Terrazzo

Terrazzo is one of the most durable flooring options on the market. It’s as durable as it can get. It can be made from cement matrix, an epoxy resin mixed with marble, recycled granite glass, or a variety of different sturdy elements. As well as being the most durable, it comes in various aesthetically pleasing patterns and designs. It’s great for incorporating built-in custom logos or designs into your flooring. Terrazzo or Terrazzo tiles are expensive, so you’ll only find them in showrooms, malls, high-end corporate spaces, airports etc.

Quarry Tile/porcelain Tiles

Usually a commercial kitchen staple, Quarry tiles can withstand heavy foot traffic, spills, moisture, grease, and oil. Quarry tiles made from hard-fired clay are a cheap alternative to porcelain tiles. Although they are incredibly cost-effective, they’ll only be durable given their installation using epoxy grout and thin-set adhesives. Using anything else that’s cheaper won’t withstand high foot traffic. The only downside to Quarry tiles is that they come in a limited variety of colours and are typically laid down in straight – rather boring lines. Porcelain tiles offer all the great benefits of Quarry tiles in a vast range of colours and patterns. You can find one that’s got a matte finish, glossy, or even crackled. If we were to compare the two types of tiles, Quarry Tiles are fired and made at high temperatures, which is why they’re usually more durable. Porcelain, however, can easily be incorporated into various themes given its distinctive styles in the market.

Luxury vinyl tiles

Luxury Vinyl Tiles are a tough flooring option with three layers. The base is made of Vinyl, and the second layer is a digital graphic film to imitate whatever style of flooring you’d like, followed by an outer protective layer. LVT is substantial enough to tolerate heavy footfall and spills in hospitals and schools. However, it’s not sturdy enough to withstand the heavy weight of commercial kitchens or industrial environments. Nonetheless, its capabilities to mimic any flooring of your choice from hardwood, ceramic or even Terrazzo, makes it an ideal option for high-end restaurants, bars and offices.

Epoxy flooring/ rubber tiles

Take a glance at the floorings usually used in hospitals, lab environments, manufacturing units, and gyms. You’ll find they’re either Epoxy or rubber. Both types of flooring are highly durable.

Epoxy flooring is created by applying a thermosetting resin onto a moisture-treated slab of concrete. An epoxy coating on the tip prevents the chemical from any heavy abrasions, footfall or even chemical spills (in case of lab environments). Furthermore, its resilience against staining, mould, and odours has made it an excellent option for healthcare facilities.

On the other hand, Rubber flooring is an excellent cushiony one offering weight tolerance, traffic and impact resistance. The drawback is the lingering smell that it leaves even months after its installation. Also, if you’re looking for something stylish, it doesn’t fit into any themes.

How much does it cost to lay a floor?

When we talk about the cost of laying a floor, there are two costs that one has to bear. The first cost is for the material and the second for the installation process. Depending on what you’ll choose, the prices will be approximately as follows:

Tiles

The very basic tiles will cost you approximately $1,300 in the material. If you go a little up the range in terms of design, pattern and material, it’ll cost around $4,500. And anything with intricate patterns and high-end imprints can cost more than $7,800.

Carpets

Many varieties of carpets are available today – everything from synthetic fibres to natural fibres or a mixture of both. Basic carpets will cost you around $1560 at the least. If you’re on the lookout for something more exotic and fancy, the price can go up to $3000-5000.

Laminate and luxury vinyl flooring

Laminates and LVTs fit in the same price range. While laminates are more susceptible to water damage, LVTs are great for high traffic and moisture. The very basic laminate or LVT flooring starts at the affordable price of $780. The mid-range for laminates and LVT flooring starts at $2,080 and goes up to $3600, which can get you very high-end material.

Timber flooring

As you may be aware, timber flooring is either a solid base or engineered wood. Entry-level solid timber flooring material can be purchased at $4,316. A better quality of wood can be purchased for $8,658, and the most expensive can cross the$13,000 mark.

Labour/installation costs

Labour and installation costs depend on the type of flooring, what type of flooring it’s being placed upon, and the materials needed to lay the floor. It can range from anywhere between $6,500 to $15,000.

Is laminate or vinyl flooring better?

That’s definitely for you to choose, totally dependent on where the flooring will be placed. While vinyl flooring is more durable for moisture-prone areas, laminates offer an array of stylistic choices. It’s best to mention that Vinyl flooring does let out a toxic chemical that can irritate the skin, eyes and lungs – especially dangerous if you’re going to have kids around this flooring. Laminate, on the other hand, does help increase the resale value. With all the different comparisons drawn, it’s up to you to decide which is best.

Is it cheaper to do tile or laminate?

Laminates are definitely cheaper than tiles. Tiles are way more durable. Although there are various materials they could be composed of, on average, they can last for 50-80 years. That’s much more than laminates that last only 20-30 years. So if you look at it from a different perspective, given that you’ll have to re-install them in 20-30 years, laminates will cost you almost equivalent to tiles. The only downside is you’ll have to go through the renovation process twice if you’d like your laminates to last as long as tiles. But it’s great if you’re somebody who easily gets bored of their surroundings.

FAQ about your local flooring shop
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