At Evis Build, we install all manner of floor coverings. Our experienced tradesmen and fitters will work hard to make sure your new floor is completed to exactly the specification you require with an improvement to the look, feel and practicality of your home.
Type of floor coverings to consider
Although we can help design the layout of your new floor covering and work through the finer details before we install it, you will first need to decide upon the type of floor covering you want before you give us a call. The most commonly available floor coverings are detailed below.
Wood flooring
- Solid wood flooring is available in a variety of styles, finishes and species. Oak wood tends to be the most popular specie of flooring, but beech, ash, walnut, bamboo, maple and cherry are also widely available. Bamboo in particular is growing in popularity as a more sustainable option that is also moisture-resistant, unlike most other woods. However, bamboo is not very durable like these other hardwoods. Solid wood flooring should be installed in moisture-controlled environments, therefore it is not recommended for spaces such as cellars, basements, conservatories, bathrooms, kitchens or over under-floor heating systems.
- Engineered wood comprises several layers of wood stuck together under extremely high pressure. The top layer is always made from hardwood to provide a ‘real’ wood finish, whilst the remaining layers provide strength and durability which make the floor suitable for use in rooms where moisture and/or humidity levels fluctuate.
- Cork flooring is an eco-friendly material that is culled from the bark of cork trees, as opposed to being sourced by felling. For this reason, it is a sustainable and renewable wood. It is a soft covering which is also fire-resistant and offers good sound proofing. However, you will need to keep cork clean and dry for it to retain its appearance and feel. Products are available in a surprisingly wide range of colours and tones.
Laminate, vinyl and rubber flooring
- Laminate flooring is not manufactured from real wood, it simply mimics a real wood floor with a photographic image of wood. The photographic image is placed between a core board made of compressed fibres and a melamine layer. Laminate flooring is usually less likely to scratch than real wood which makes it ideal for homes with a lot of foot traffic. However, once laminate flooring is scratched, it cannot be sanded to remove the damage. Instead, the damaged board will need to be replaced, which usually requires lifting up all of the floor from the nearest wall to the board. Laminate flooring comes in different grades with the highest (and toughest) ones, AC5 and AC6, being suited for areas with very high levels of foot traffic (including large commercial premises).
- Vinyl flooring is tough, scratch resistant and waterproof, while also being one of the least expensive flooring types. It’s water resistant nature makes it ideal for use in rooms where moisture and/or humidity levels are high, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Vinyl flooring is available in a wide range of styles, designs and colours. There are also finishes available which can mimic wood, tiles, stone and even metal.
- Rubber flooring has some advantages over vinyl in that it is just about the most slip-resistant flooring available and will absorb sound better. Rubber is extremely durable and will usually outlast a vinyl floor. It could be argued that rubber flooring is also more environmentally friendly as much of it is usually recycled from tyres via a relatively efficient process.
Carpet flooring
Carpets usually consist of a top layer of fibres, the part you walk on, and a base layer which holds the fibres in place. The backing is made from hessian or jute and some carpets come with a foam backing which acts as an underlay. When deciding upon the type of carpet you want, you generally have a choice between the top layer being made from natural or man made fibres.
Natural carpets are, of course, natural and will react in areas of high moisture or heat where excessive dampness can occasionally cause shrinkage or mould. For this reason, natural carpets are not recommend for bathrooms or kitchens.
- Coir natural fibre carpets are available in a spectrum of golden shades from natural to bleached. Coir fibres originate from the coconut husk found in Kerala, India.
- Seagrass natural fibre carpets are formed from strongly weaved patterns. Seagrass is slightly waxy by nature which makes the flooring naturally stain resistant. Seagrass originate from the tropical climates of China and Vietnam.
- Mountain Grass natural fibre carpets are distinctive and durable. Their charm lies in the natural irregularities and rich golden shades made from the outer fibres of the grass.
- Sisal natural fibre carpets are versatile and hardwearing making it an ideal choice for hallways and stairs. The fibres are tightly woven and emit a subtle sheen. Sisal originates from the Agave Sisalana plant, which is farmed in Mexico, Brazil and East Africa.
- Jute natural fibre carpets are light brown in colour and are not particularly hard wearing. They are soft to the touch which makes them ideal for low traffic spaces such as bedrooms. Jute originates from the stalk of the Corchorus plant which grows in India.
- Wool natural fibre carpets usually come in a twist pile or loop pile, known as a berber design. Wool fibres are often dyed to create a wide range of colours and patterns.
- Man made fibre carpets are usually more durable and withstand wear and tear better than natural fibre carpets. They are considerably more resistant to staining and flattening and are less expensive. Man made fibre carpets usually include nylon, polypropylene and polyester. The most popular of these carpets are ones with an 80/20 mix, where 80% is man made and 20% is real wool.
Tile flooring
The two most commonly used types of floor tiles are ceramic and natural stone. Ceramic tiles tend to have a uniform look and feel and are less expensive than natural stone tiles. Natural stone tiles are manufactured from naturally occurring substances, meaning that each tile will have a slight variation in colour and texture. To find out about the specific type of ceramic and stone tiles that we install, see our Tiling page.