Loft Flooring

 

If you’re planning on finishing your loft area, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make concerns loft flooring. Before you can decide on the best type of flooring for your loft, you’ll need to decide how the space will be used. Will it be a library, a den, a home bar, a guestroom, or a bedroom for a teenager? Also, you’ll have to consider your loft flooring budget.

 

Before you get started with your loft flooring

 

There are some preparations you’ll need to do before you start laying the actual loft flooring. First of all, you’ll need to place insulation between the joists. This will help with energy costs and will also help muffle sound. If the loft is going to be your noisy teenager’s room, you might want to consider adding some soundproofing materials in the floor.

 

After the insulation is in place, you’ll have to put in a subfloor. Some people use particle board for this. It’s cheap, but it isn’t very strong. Also, traditional particle board isn’t waterproof, so it swells when exposed to moisture, and if it actually gets wet, it can fall apart. Another option is chipboard, which is also relatively inexpensive. Some types of chipboard are considered waterproof, but even these will swell in the presence of excess moisture.

 

The best type of subflooring is plywood. Plywood is more expensive than particle board and chip board, but it’s much stronger. It’s definitely the best choice for your loft flooring subfloor.

 

Different types of loft flooring

 

The type of loft flooring you choose should depend on your budget and your individual tastes. If you plan to do the job yourself, your choice of loft flooring will also depend on your skills.

 

Carpet – Carpet is warm, soft, and versatile. There are types available that are stain resistant and easy to care for. There’s also a wide range of prices, textures, and colors. Unless you have experience laying carpet, however, you’ll need to hire a professional. Also, carpet is not a good choice for anyone with allergies.

 

Hardwood – Hardwood floors are beautiful and durable. They come in a wide range of colors, shades, and finishes. They’re easy to care for, and if the planks are thick enough, you probably won’t need a subfloor. If you’re handy, you can lay the planks yourself. On the down side, hardwood floors are expensive, and they don’t muffle sound.

 

Engineered hardwood – Engineered hardwood floors consist of composite board with a hardwood veneer. They’re laid like hardwood floors, in tongue-and-groove fashion. They come in several plank widths, finishes, and colors and are much less expensive than traditional hardwood floors. These are fairly easy to lay.

 

Laminates – Laminate floors “float” above a subfloor. If you’re handy, you can do the job yourself, but they’re rather tricky to install. You can find laminates that look like real wood, bamboo, or stone. Laminate floors cost about the same as engineered hardwood, but they’re not usually as durable.

 

Tile – If your loft can take the added weight, tile is another choice for your loft flooring. Tile is inexpensive when you find it on sale, but the major cost is in the labor involved. Laying tile requires skill in order to get a good result.

 

If you want to get more ideas for loft flooring, search online!