An A-Z of floor coverings

Carpet

A textile floor covering typically consisting of an upper layer of pile attached to a backing.

Cork

The bark of a cork oak tree which is ground into sheets that are used as tiles to create a floor covering.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is man-made/manufactured.

Laminate

A multi-layer synthetic flooring which is fused together using a lamination process.

Linoleum (Lino)

A floor covering made from materials including solidified linseed, pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate. A burlap or canvas backing is most commonly used.

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)  

LVT is made of a series of layers including a photographic and the flooring’s primary component, PVC. The product offers a look of real wood or stone flooring.

Paint

Either a water or resin based decorative surface coating that others a wear proof finish.

Parquet

This floor covering is made of small blocks of timber that are usually adhered to the subfloor/substrate using a bitumen adhesive. Parquet is often laid in a herringbone pattern.

Raised Access Flooring

A raised surface providing an elevated structural floor above a solid substrate, creating a hidden void for the passage of mechanical and electrical services.

Resin

A hard wearing plastic surface, created by mixing together a selection of ingredients. The chemical reaction creates a highly durable finish. Resin is ideal for the heaviest of use areas.

Rubber

Can be made from either natural tree rubber or from synthetic materials, including recycled vehicle tyres.

Solid Wood

Solid wood flooring planks milled from a single piece of timber.

Tile

A hard wearing material such as ceramic, stone or glass available in various sizes and shapes.

Vinyl

PVC chips are formed into solid sheets of different thicknesses by heat and pressure.