Home Improvements

[People-huv-tae-know]

Hi all, I'm getting some very necessary work done on my house (accessibility and extension work) and will need to replace a few things along the way. I thought I'd ask here for advice and thought this could be a thread for everyone that needs/contributes general home improvement advice for projects big and small.

For example I have a carpet in my living room from the 80s I need to replace it but am torn between a wood floor or a tiled one. Does anyone know if one type is better than the other? I want things to be wipe clean and hygienic as I have pets and children with additional needs. Must add that I hate how quickly grout gets dirty.

I've also wondered about radiators, are they more effective under a window or not? I have the option to move mine but am not sure.

 

[HoGi]

Have you thought of LVT? It can look like wood or tile but is vinyl so far more hard-wearing and a bit cheaper.

Tiles can be cold and can ibviously chip/crack if you drop something. Wood if you're going for hardwood will be expensive. No one really lays laminate these days in favour of LVT.

Tiles you can steam clean but unsealed floors like laminate and LVT you can't.

In terms of rads under windows is meant to be more efficient. It also makes sense jn that the wall is already less usable for furniture. If you are going to move them, think about where the furniture will go as you wouldn't want to block rhe radiator with a cupboard or sofa.

 

[Black.bird]

I was going to post a word of caution about laminate tiles / planks, but @HoGi has beaten me to it! Even just a tiny bit of steam - or leftover water from mopping - can unseal the edges and make them look terrible.

I personally like carpet in the living areas and bedrooms, and polished concrete in the kitchen, bathroom and hallways (you can put rugs down - fix the corners with velcro dots and hooks so they don't slide) - mine is like this (this is not my place):

... it looks great, is hard-wearing, and despite being about five years old still looks like new.

If you decide to re-lay carpet, ask a flooring store for some samples - they might be able to loan you some mats to try. If you have pets, then a loop-style won't be so good (their claws can de-loop it); sisal can be a pain to maintain as dirt gets stuck in between the patterns. A wool/nylon mix will be hard-wearing. Splurge on underlay - to get something really soft and spongy - you won't regret it.

I don't know about the radiator, sorry (we don't have them here).

 

[People-huv-tae-know]

Have you thought of LVT? It can look like wood or tile but is vinyl so far more hard-wearing and a bit cheaper.

Tiles can be cold and can ibviously chip/crack if you drop something. Wood if you're going for hardwood will be expensive. No one really lays laminate these days in favour of LVT.

Tiles you can steam clean but unsealed floors like laminate and LVT you can't.

In terms of rads under windows is meant to be more efficient. It also makes sense jn that the wall is already less usable for furniture. If you are going to move them, think about where the furniture will go as you wouldn't want to block rhe radiator with a cupboard or sofa.

Thank you, this is really helpful. Our floor beeds to be hard-wearing as well as easy to clean as we have children and pets. I would put rugs down where needed for playing or softness. I've never heard of LVT before, what is it?
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I was going to post a word of caution about laminate tiles / planks, but @HoGi has beaten me to it! Even just a tiny bit of steam - or leftover water from mopping - can unseal the edges and make them look terrible.

I personally like carpet in the living areas and bedrooms, and polished concrete in the kitchen, bathroom and hallways (you can put rugs down - fix the corners with velcro dots and hooks so they don't slide) - mine is like this (this is not my place):

View attachment 1978255

... it looks great, is hard-wearing, and despite being about five years old still looks like new.

If you decide to re-lay carpet, ask a flooring store for some samples - they might be able to loan you some mats to try. If you have pets, then a loop-style won't be so good (their claws can de-loop it); sisal can be a pain to maintain as dirt gets stuck in between the patterns. A wool/nylon mix will be hard-wearing. Splurge on underlay - to get something really soft and spongy - you won't regret it.

I don't know about the radiator, sorry (we don't have them here).

I didn't know you could have concrete indoors. What an interesting idea. That is a good point regarding underlay, I hadnt even considered that. Soft and spongy would be great for the kids especially in the bedrooms.

 

[Rxt156]

Tiles are collldddddd. I had a good sized kitchen diner in my previous home, it was always freezing. Struggled to get it warm I

 

[HoGi]

LVT is luxury vinyl tiles. The big brands are amtico and kardean but there are many more on the market

 

[Black.bird]

I didn't know you could have concrete indoors. What an interesting idea. That is a good point regarding underlay, I hadnt even considered that. Soft and spongy would be great for the kids especially in the bedrooms.

Concreate looks and feels amazing - getting heating installed underneath is a must-have though, because it is freezing in the cooler months. I went to a house recently where the aggregate was left unexposed and it still looked good. You can also get it in different colours - orangey-brown looks really interesting.

I had a friend who spent an absolute fortune on carpet, but skimped on the underlay and it was very obvious - it seemed like such a missed opportunity. I'd rather splurge on the best underlay possible and a cheaper carpet.

 

[Shihtzu999]

Hey I was hoping someone could help me I feel stupid for asking but what's the best way to get shelves. I've been looking for floating shelves for an alcove I have, quotes online for 5 of these 90cm x25 cm it's over £1000 even for veneer. That seems crazy to me!? are there other options or any recommendations

 

[Rxt156]

I’m in need of objective opinions on kitchens! Which brands are worth approaching or avoiding? Wren? Ikea? Magnet?

Loved my magnet kitchen

 

[Flowergirl14]

I put wooden flooring into my bedrooms as easy to clean. Had carpet before and the stains were shocking as I'm clumsy....spilt coffee and glass of red wine once! Have rugs from Dunelm, which are machine washable.

 

[Rxt156]

Did you have lots of gadgets? I remember the tv advert with the plug socket that popped out of the work surface and remember thinking it was so fancy!

Nah not really. I did have a nice corner unit thing inside one cupboard that spun round. Best thing ever lol