Monthly Archives: March 2026

Choosing the right flooring is only half of the decision. The finish applied to it affects how it looks, how it performs, and how much maintenance it needs over time. Whether you are browsing laminate, LVT, engineered wood, or solid wood flooring, this guide breaks down every flooring finish so you can make a confident, informed choice.

What is a flooring finish?

A flooring finish is the protective or decorative coating applied to the surface of a floor. On hard floors like engineered and solid wood, the finish is usually a treatment such as oil, lacquer, or wax that seals and protects the timber. On manufactured floors like laminate and LVT, the finish refers to the texture of the wear layer, which determines how the surface looks and feels underfoot. In both cases, the finish has a direct impact on durability, appearance, and the level of upkeep the floor requires.

Why does a floor’s finish matter?

A floor’s finish

Laminate flooring is one of the most popular choices in UK homes, and it is easy to see why. It looks great, is affordable, and is relatively low maintenance. But using the wrong cleaning materials or being too harsh can cause permanent damage. This guide covers exactly what to use, what to avoid, and how to keep your laminate floors looking their best for years to come.

What to clean laminate floors with

The safest and most effective products for cleaning laminate flooring are:

• A dry or lightly damp microfibre mop - ideal because it lifts dust and debris without scratching the surface and holds minimal water, which is critical with laminate.

• A laminate-specific floor cleaner or a diluted solution of warm water and a small amount of white vinegar, used sparingly and dried immediately after.

Choosing between LVT and engineered wood flooring is one of the most common decisions buyers face. Both look great, are popular, and suit a wide range of homes. But they are very different products, built from different materials and designed with different priorities in mind. This guide breaks down exactly what sets them apart, so you can pick the right floor for your room with confidence.

What is LVT flooring?

LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile. It is a multi-layered synthetic flooring product, typically made up of a rigid or semi-rigid core, a printed design layer, and a protective wear layer on top. The wear layer is what gives LVT its durability and thickness and determines how much foot traffic the floor can handle. LVT is 100% waterproof throughout, making it a genuinely practical choice for wet or high-humidity rooms. It is available in a wide range of highly realistic wood and stone-effect designs.

What is engineered wood flooring?

Engineered wood and laminate are two of the most popular flooring choices for UK homeowners. Both replicate the appearance of real timber at a lower cost than solid wood, and both install using a click-lock system. But they are built differently, perform differently, and suit different rooms and budgets. This guide compares the two products across every factor that matters so that you can decide which floor type is better for your home. 

What is engineered wood flooring?

Engineered wood flooring consists of planks made from a genuine hardwood veneer on top, bonded to multiple layers of plywood or HDF beneath. The cross-ply construction of those base layers makes the board more dimensionally stable than solid wood, meaning it expands and contracts less in response to changes in temperature and humidity. The hardwood veneer is the part you see and walk on, and it can be sanded and refinished

Laminate is one of the most widely purchased floor coverings in the UK, and it is easy to see why. It delivers a convincing wood or stone-effect finish at a fraction of the cost of the real thing, installs without specialist tools, and handles everyday household wear well. But not all laminate is the same. Thickness, AC rating, wear layer, joint type, and finish all affect how a laminate performs and how long it lasts. This guide covers everything you need to make a confident buying decision. 

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic product engineered to replicate the look of natural wood or stone. The surface layer carries a photographic print of the chosen design, while the layers beneath provide structural strength, stability, and moisture resistance. The result is a floor that looks like wood or stone but is more affordable, easier to install, and simpler to maintain.

SPC flooring has become one of the most popular choices for homeowners who want a durable, fully waterproof floor that installs quickly and holds up under heavy use. But the name can cause confusion. SPC is a type of LVT, not a separate flooring category, and understanding the difference between the two explains why SPC commands a premium over standard vinyl products. This guide covers what SPC is made from, how it performs, and where it works best.

SPC flooring meaning

SPC stands for Stone Plastic Composite. It refers specifically to the core layer used in a type of luxury vinyl flooring. That core is made by combining limestone powder, PVC, and stabilisers under high pressure to produce a rigid, dense board. The result is a dimensionally stable flooring product that is 100% waterproof and resistant to the kinds of impact and indentation that can mark softer vinyl floors. Browse our full range of SPC

Choosing between engineered and solid wood flooring is one of the most common questions we hear from buyers. Both are real wood products, and both can look stunning in the right home. But they are constructed differently, perform differently, and suit different rooms and lifestyles. This guide covers everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.

What is solid wood flooring?

Solid wood flooring is exactly what it sounds like. Each plank is cut from a single piece of natural timber, milled to a consistent thickness, typically between 18mm and 22mm. Because each plank is one solid piece of wood throughout, it can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifetime, which is one of its most valued qualities. Solid wood is available in a wide range of species, from classic oak and ash to walnut and pine, each with its own natural grain, colour, and character. It is one of

LVT and vinyl flooring are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same product. Both are made from vinyl, but their construction, performance, and price differ in ways that matter when choosing the right floor. This guide explains what separates them, so you can decide which type fits your room, your budget, and how you live.

What is sheet vinyl flooring?

Sheet vinyl flooring is a single-layer, flexible flooring that comes in wide rolls, typically 2m, 3m, or 4m wide. It is one of the most affordable floor coverings available. The surface is printed with a wood, stone, or geometric pattern, and a clear wear layer sits on top to protect it from scuffs and light use. Most sheet vinyl is glued down directly to the subfloor during installation. Because it comes in large rolls, it can often be laid with few or no seams, which makes it a practical option for bathrooms and kitchens where water

Choosing between LVT and laminate flooring means understanding how each performs in your specific space. Both offer the appearance of natural wood or stone at accessible price points, but they differ in construction, water resistance and installation requirements. This guide examines the practical differences to help you select flooring that suits your budget, room type and lifestyle needs.

What is LVT Flooring?

LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile. It's a multi-layered flooring solution made from PVC-based materials, making it 100% waterproof and available with realistic wood or stone finishes. The typical LVT structure includes four distinct layers:

• Wear layer: Aluminium oxide coating that resists scratches and scuffs

• Clear protective film: Additional layer preventing surface damage