Vinyl or laminate: what floor is best for me?
Laminate or vinyl flooring: what’s the best option for your home? From water resistance to sound, looks and more, here’s a step-by-step comparison.
THE PERFECT DIRECTION
FOR YOUR FLOORING BOARDS
What is the best direction
to lay vinyl, wood or laminate flooring?
The direction of your flooring boards has a huge impact on a room’s overall appearance and can be a tough nut to crack.
The ideal way to lay your flooring: room and light
As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that’s the easiest to install. Want to add some useful ‘optical effects’ to your room? Then follow these three practical tips.
1. Horizontal = wide
Installing for example laminate flooring in a hallway that is rather narrow? Why not lay the flooring boards horizontally! Boards laid width-wise will make the surface appear wider, avoiding a boxed-in effect at all times. To enhance this even further, make sure not to use dark colours for neither your floor or your walls, as these will make a narrow room look even narrower.
2. Vertical = long
If you’re laying your floor in a short room, you’ll want to add a sense of depth. Make the room look longer by installing your floor vertically. Want to increase the effect of lengthwise installation? Make sure to combine a light-coloured floor with darker walls: this will add even more depth to your room.
3. Diagonal = big
To really spruce up a very small room with minimal extra effort or materials costs, you can opt for diagonal flooring. Most commonly at a 45-degree angle, this will make your room a feast for the eyes. At as little as 10 degrees, diagonal flooring also helps tie a wall visually to one in another room, creating a unifying effect: talk about opening up a room!
The best flooring direction
Not sure yet? Check out different floors in your home interior!
Maximize your floor’s impact with the direction of its installation
Guided by light
The direction of your floor plays a huge role in its appearance. As a rule of thumb lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source, and in the same line as its main entrances. If there are multiple doors and windows pick what is easiest to install.
In narrow rooms
Planks laid width-wise will make narrow rooms appear wider, letting you avoid a boxed-in effect. Try not to use dark colours in your floors and walls as this will make a room feel smaller.
In short rooms
Add a sense of depth to a short room by installing your floor lengthwise. Want to increase the effect? Then make sure to combine a light-coloured floor with darker walls to add extra depth.Related stories
Wood or vinyl flooring: what floor is best for me?
Torn between the technical advantages of vinyl and the authenticity of real wood? We help you decide with a side-by-side comparison.
Laminate or wood flooring: what floor is best for me?
Trying to figure out whether laminate or hardwood suits your flooring needs best? We’re here to help you compare the benefits of both.