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Choosing the right type of flooring for each room is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when designing your home. Whether you opt for classic flagstone tiles or rustic timber, the material you choose will matter. The floor forms the foundation of a room’s character – and it can completely transform how the space feels and functions, setting the tone for everything from the furniture to the lighting.
Wood flooring remains a popular choice – and for good reason. It offers natural warmth, character and versatility. It complements a wide range of styles and, with proper care, can last for years. But what if real timber just doesn’t suit your space, lifestyle or budget? Here I’ve rounded up a collection of wood-alternative solutions, all designed to replicate the look of real timber – from porcelain to vinyl.
Sleek, shiny and hyper realistic, the walnut-effect Dolce laminate flooring from B&Q is easy to maintain and quick to install, with a simple glueless click fitting. Priced at £19 per m², the durable product is a great, cost-effective option for bathrooms, kitchens and living zones.
Stylish, hard-wearing, compatible with underfloor heating, and 100% waterproof, the Trendtime 10 vinyl flooring from Parador is ideal for busy family areas, like kitchens and bathrooms.
Created from individual (left and right) strips that mimic the aesthetic of classic chevron wood, the vinyl flooring system can be adhered directly to your build’s subfloor, allowing for precise pattern placement. Measuring just 2.5mm thick, the product is perfect for retrofit scenarios as it guarantees minimal floor build-up. Pictured here in Oak Oxford Sanded.
Flooring Superstore’s Asenso Signature Versailles flooring offers the sought-after, timeless appeal of traditional French parquet flooring , while being waterproof, scratch resistant and easy to maintain – making it an apt choice for busy hallways or high-traffic areas inside the house. Shown here in Forest Oak, the stick-down luxury vinyl tiles are priced at £44.99 per m².
The Peronda FS Bark porcelain tiles (20 x 120cm) from Tile of Spain perfectly emulate the natural warmth, charm and versatility of oak flooring in a dark honey tone. The 9mm-thick tiles are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and can be used on both floors and walls – ideal for those looking to make a design statement or create a seamless transition between house and garden.
Created using high-strength porcelain, and with optimal resistance against water stains, the Ascot oak wood-effect tile from Porcelain Superstore is a good option for those looking to replicate timber floors with a tile-format product.
The realistic wood grain effect has a slight texture that mimics the tactility of natural oak, and its durable properties mean the flooring is suitable in any room. £25.20 per m².
Suitable for both wall and floor applications, the Pine Brown wood-effect porcelain from Tile Warehouse is a charming, realistic and low-maintenance flooring option. The tiles team well with underfloor heating, too, provided you’ve installed a compatible substrate, and flexible, cement-based adhesives and grouts are used. £23.98 per m².
Depending on your interior scheme, a more rustic, aged wood finish, such as the Reclaimed wood-effect floor tiles from Walls and Floors, may suit the room better.
Made with quality porcelain and complete with a matt finish, the tonal, worn-looking planks are available in eight different designs. Priced at £26.95 per m².
Whether you’re working on a new bespoke home or updating a kitchen with a modern extension, choosing the right flooring involves asking the right questions. Will the space include underfloor heating (UFH)? Is it a high-traffic area, perhaps with children or pets? What’s your budget? What’s the overall aesthetic of the room? Your answers will help guide you towards the option that best suits your project and lifestyle. Here are the pros and cons of three popular materials:
Laminate flooring is a cost-effective and versatile solution that can mimic the appearance of wood, stone or tile. It’s a popular material for spaces like living areas, bedrooms and hallways thanks to its low-maintenance nature and its ability to help reduce noise and prevent draughts.
Typically constructed with a high-density fibreboard core and finished with a protective, moisture-resistant layer, laminate is easy to install and doesn’t require waxing, polishing, or sealing. While it may not be as long-lasting as some other flooring types, it’s a practical choice – just be sure to check the thickness and AC wear rating to ensure it’s well suited to your particular space.
This flooring option is available in a wide range of styles, colours and finishes, many of which seek to replicate natural materials like wood and stone. They’re waterproof, slip-resistant and are a fantastic partner for UFH, too. “Wood-effect porcelain tiles are a cost-effective, durable and aesthetically pleasing wood alternative,” says Maria D Arráez, director at Tile of Spain UK. “When compared to real timber, they’re highly resistant to scratching and moisture, meaning they are perfectly suited to a wide range of applications and rooms, including outdoor areas.”
Porcelain is low-maintenance, too. “Simply sweeping, vacuuming and mopping with a mild detergent will keep the porcelain looking as good as new,” says Maria. “Whilst real timber materials are more accident and scratch-prone than porcelain, for example, you should still try to clean any spills promptly in order to prolong the life of the flooring.”
Made from a synthetic, petroleum-based material, this option is water-resistant, making it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. Available in tiles (known as LVT) or sheet form, the options vary depending on your budget and design goals. “Vinyl options excel in resilience, performance over time and ease of maintenance,” says Christoph Wellekötter, head of product management at Parador. “There are various different misconceptions about vinyl and LVT, notably that they are cheap-looking and not hardwearing. While this may have been the case years ago, vinyl has advanced significantly in design prowess and its technical characteristics.”
Vinyl offers great benefits over timber flooring at a much lower price point. “It is able to deliver the authentic look of wood, with added benefits, such as durability, water resistance and increased sound insulation,” says Christoph. It’s slip-resistant, too, and compatible with UFH, provided temperatures are controlled carefully during use.”
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