Guides
Flooring buyer guides
Clear, practical answers to the questions that come up when planning flooring — from measuring and waste to subfloors, underlay and what a good quotation looks like.
All guides
Guide
Can laminate be fitted over floorboards?
Whether laminate can go over existing floorboards, what needs checking first, and when overboarding is the better option.
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Do you need underlay beneath laminate?
Whether laminate needs underlay, what underlay actually does, and how to choose the right type for concrete, floorboards, flats and underfloor heating.
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Does a carpet fitter move furniture?
Whether flooring fitters move furniture, what's usually expected of you, and how to agree it in advance so fitting day runs smoothly.
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How carpet is measured for stairs and landings
How stairs and landings are measured for carpet, why each step includes the tread, nosing and riser, how winders and landings change the quantity, and why stairs are best measured on site.
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How long can flooring installation take?
Rough timescales for fitting different floors, what makes a job take longer, and why preparation and drying time can add days.
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How much extra flooring should you allow for waste?
How much waste to add when ordering flooring, why the figure changes with the room and pattern, and how to avoid running short.
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How to measure a room for flooring
A simple, reliable way to measure a room for carpet, laminate, vinyl or LVT, including which measurement to record and how much extra to allow.
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Should you buy flooring before finding a fitter?
Whether to buy your flooring first or find a fitter first, the risks of ordering the wrong amount or product, and how to avoid both.
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Skirting boards, scotia and laminate flooring
How laminate is finished at the walls, scotia or beading versus removing and refitting skirting, why the expansion gap matters, and how doorways and pipes are handled.
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What flooring works well in homes with dogs?
Which flooring copes best with dogs, balancing scratch and water resistance, grip underfoot and easy cleaning, room by room.
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What preparation does LVT require?
Why LVT needs a flat, sound, clean and dry subfloor, how concrete and timber floors are usually prepared, and how click and glue-down LVT differ.
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What should a flooring quotation include?
What a clear flooring quotation should itemise, the difference between an estimate and a quotation, what is often left out, and the questions worth asking before you accept.
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What to check when flooring bought online arrives
The checks to make the moment your online flooring is delivered, so problems are spotted before fitting day rather than after.
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When should flooring be installed in a new-build home?
When to measure and fit flooring in a new-build, why new concrete and screed floors need drying time, and how to plan flooring around completion and move-in.
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Who removes and disposes of old flooring?
Who lifts and takes away old carpet, laminate or vinyl, the difference between uplift and disposal, what's involved for each floor type, and how to make sure it's included in your quote.
Read moreTell us about your flooring project
Send your room details, rough sizes and what you're considering. We'll review the information and respond with an indicative estimate or recommend a home measure.