Not all floors are built for the same job. What works in a quiet spare room won’t last five minutes in a busy family kitchen, and what looks smart in a home office won’t survive the footfall of a commercial building. The trick is matching the right material to the space.
We’ve fitted floors in everything from bathrooms and bedrooms to schools, restaurants, and offices. Here’s how we look at the options — the pros, cons, and where each one shines.
Carpet – Still a Winner in the Right Places
Carpet sometimes gets overlooked with the rise of hard flooring, but it’s still unbeatable in certain rooms.
Why carpet works:
- Warm, soft, and quiet — perfect for bedrooms, lounges, or stairs where you want comfort underfoot.
- Great for sound insulation. In flats or multi-storey homes, carpet keeps noise down.
- Endless colours and textures — from plush deep pile to hardwearing loop pile.
Where it struggles:
- Not great with spills. Red wine, muddy boots, and pets will test your patience.
- Bathrooms and kitchens are a no-go. Moisture and carpet don’t mix.
For family homes, carpet in bedrooms and living spaces is still hard to beat, while hard floors take care of kitchens and bathrooms.
Vinyl – Practical and Versatile
We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: vinyl is a workhorse in busy homes. It’s waterproof, easy to clean, and comes in designs that mimic wood, stone, or tile.
In commercial buildings, vinyl also shines. It can handle heavy traffic, and with safety vinyl options, you get slip resistance that’s essential in places like clinics, schools, and kitchens.
Laminate – Budget-Friendly, But Pick Your Battles
Laminate is still a go-to for many households because it looks like wood at a lower price. But remember — it doesn’t love moisture.
Where it works: lounges, bedrooms, hallways.
Where it doesn’t: bathrooms, commercial kitchens, or anywhere water is a daily guest.
We do fit “water-resistant” laminates, but we’re always upfront with customers: it’s resistant, not waterproof.
Real Wood – Timeless, But Demanding
There’s no denying the class of real wood flooring. In homes, it brings warmth and character. In commercial spaces like high-end offices or shops, it makes a serious statement.
But wood demands respect. It expands, contracts, and needs maintenance. In busy family kitchens or high-humidity areas, you’ll need to keep on top of it.
Commercial Spaces – Built for Heavy Traffic
Fitting in commercial spaces is a different ballgame altogether. Schools, gyms, offices, and restaurants need floors that can handle hundreds (sometimes thousands) of footsteps every day.
Some of the go-to solutions we recommend:
- Safety vinyl for wet areas — kitchens, toilets, changing rooms.
- Commercial carpet tiles in offices — easy to replace single tiles if they stain or wear.
- Rubber flooring for gyms — slip-resistant, shock-absorbing, and tough as nails.
- Polished concrete or resin in industrial settings — built to last decades, not years.
The priority in commercial fitting isn’t just looks, it’s compliance with safety regs and longevity under stress.
The Fitter’s View
Every material has its place. The real skill is knowing where each one makes sense:
- Carpet for comfort and warmth.
- Vinyl for water resistance and low maintenance.
- Laminate for budget-friendly style in dry rooms.
- Wood for character, when you’re willing to maintain it.
- Commercial flooring solutions for high-traffic, high-demand environments.
At Floors2u, we don’t just turn up with a roll of flooring and hope for the best. We look at the space, the usage, and the demands — then fit the material that’ll give you years of service without constant headaches.
Final Word
There’s no single “best” flooring. A family bathroom, a school corridor, and a living room all need different solutions. The right floor is the one that fits the space and the lifestyle.
That’s why we take the time to guide our customers through the options — whether it’s carpet, vinyl, laminate, real wood, or heavy-duty commercial flooring. Get the fit right, and the floor will do its job for years.
