Flooring on a Budget
Home remodelling is an expensive proposition regardless of the specific projects one chooses to tackle. From simply painting a few rooms to completely gutting and starting over, supplies cost a lot more these days than they used to. One of the biggest budget busters seems to be flooring.
Ideally, many people prefer natural hardwood flooring due to its undying reputation for beauty and performance. But practically, the cost makes such floors all but a dream for many home owners. A typical hardwood floor can easily run you £25 to £35 per square meter, and that's on the low side.
Engineered wood flooring is one alternative which, on average, costs 30% to 40% less. With an engineered product you get the look and feel of a solid wood floor at a significantly lower price. But you also get the same wear and tear issues as solid wood.
An even less expensive alternative is vinyl flooring; it tends to be in the range of £9 to £12 per square meter. What seems to turn most people off from vinyl is the perception that it looks fake and cheap. But nothing could be further from the truth. With modern technology and manufacturing processes, companies like Amtico are turning out vinyl floors that rival even the best natural materials.
For example, the Amtico Xtra Black Walnut has such deep colour and detailed graining, it's nearly impossible to distinguish it from real walnut with the naked eye. Amtico is so good at what they do, they can even produce simulations of glass, metal, and stone that will leave you astonished.
In the kitchen and bathroom, the preference is natural stone or ceramic tiles. But again, the cost of such materials can put a strain on the budget. Care and maintenance of stone is also a real chore. But vinyl once again steps up as a good alternative that looks great, holds up extremely well, and costs a fraction of what natural stone does.
The African Slate tile from Amtico replicates the rich colours and patterns of the real thing without missing a beat. What's more, it comes packaged as individual tiles rather than rolled like linoleum, meaning you'll see the subtle tile lines just as you would with a genuine stone floor. And you don't have to clean and polish it every few months, either.
Vinyl flooring may have been the last thing on the remodelling list years ago, but not anymore. Quality manufacturers have made great strides in bringing their products into the homes and offices of every region of the U.K. So don't break your budget on the floor. Call a dealer who carries quality brands like Amtico, and get the floor you deserve.