Flooring is much more than just a matter of whim for the eyes. Before buying and installing it, several things must be considered, including the size, location and role of the room in which it will be placed. If each room has its own matching cladding, what can be done to avoid making a mistake?

THE TYPES OF FLOOR COVERINGS

Two types of flooring can be distinguished: soft flooring and hard flooring. Soft floor coverings include carpet and natural fibre alternatives such as sisal and jute. They are comfortable to walk on and good for insulation. One example is carpet, which keeps your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It is quiet, sound-insulating and non-slip. Natural fibre floor coverings include sisal, made from the leaves of the agave tree, coconut fibre, made from coconut husks, and herbariums. Hard flooring options include wood, tile, polished concrete, cork, rubber and vinyl. They are easy to clean and durable.

WHICH MATERIALS FOR WHICH PIECES?

First of all, any type of floor covering is suitable for the entrance as most people wipe their feet on a carpet before entering the house. Hardwood floors are still a good choice for many homes, as well as ceramic and luxury vinyl tiles. Also, safety and noise issues are paramount in the bathroom and carpeting is the best choice. It absorbs children's falls and reduces the noise level by a notch. For bedrooms, as these are the most private rooms in the house, carpeting will be perfect because it reduces noise and gives a soft feeling to the floor compared to other floor coverings.  The dining room is adjacent to the kitchen. So it makes sense to simply extend the flooring from room to room, whether you choose parquet or tile.

POINTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING FLOORING

Carefully consider the location of your new floor. Is it less than or equal to the level? Basements are sensitive to soil moisture. Your choice of flooring may therefore be different from a room on the second or third floor. Similarly, kitchens and bathrooms are exposed to water damage and moisture, which should weigh heavily in the decision process. Note whether the area on which you lay the floor covering has (or will have) radiant heat. Some floor coverings are not compatible, so let us know early in the purchasing process. Also be sure to observe the area throughout the day. Does it get a lot of direct sunlight? UV light can discolour or darken some floor coverings. Look for resistant products.
Fire safety in buildings

Fire safety concerns both residential and industrial/commercial buildings. From the design phase, the installation of fire-fighting devices (smoke detectors, smoke evacuation systems, etc.) must be taken into account.

Buildings and renewable energies

The construction of ecological and energy-efficient houses has become a necessity and an issue of great importance. The replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energies such as photovoltaic energy and wind power is one of the solutions implemented.

Building professionals

In the building industry, many professionals are involved in the construction of new buildings or the development and rehabilitation of existing buildings. Architects, civil engineers and electricians are a few examples of these professionals.