Conservatory Flooring Buying Guide

“Conservatory Flooring Buying Guide”

If you’ve taken the major step to add a conservatory onto your home, congratulations, you have made one of the best decisions you could make to improve your comfort and home life.

The hard work is behind you, you’ve picked your conservatory style, figured out where you want it sited, but now you have one more decision to make: what flooring should you put down in your conservatory?

Well, read on, because we have everything you need to know included in our conservatory flooring buying guide.

What’s the best flooring for your conservatory?

A conversatory is a practical room that all of the family can relax in and soak up the sun without being exposed to the elements; the flooring is not something that most people will pay any attention to, unless that is, you’ve picked the wrong flooring.

Because the type of flooring you choose to put into your conservatory will depend largely on how you plan to use your wonderful new space.

There are so many different types of conservatory flooring available to you, it’s important to figure out which one is the best choice for you.

Conservatory flooring tiles

One of the most popular types of conservatory flooring are flooring tiles. And when it comes to flooring tiles, your options are pretty much unlimited.

However, to help you narrow down your choice, if you know your room is going to experience some pretty significant temperature changes, and if you know it’s going to have heavy foot fall, you might want to choose tiles that are hard wearing.

But don’t worry, this doesn’t limit your choice of conservatory flooring options in the slightest because the range of tiles for conservatories is extensive.

Types of conservatory flooring tiles:

• Wood effect tiles – these tiles look just like the real thing, but unlike real wood, they won’t scratch or damage.
• Porcelain tiles – naturally slip resistant and an outstanding conductor of heat, these tiles will work well as any flooring option, and if you have underfloor heating, these tiles will only enhance the effect.
• Ceramic tiles – available in so many different styles and colours, there is a ceramic tile to suit any taste. They are incredibly easy to work with, to cut and to lay, these tiles are the perfect addition to any conservatory.
• Natural stone tiles – a more traditional conservatory flooring, you will need to ensure these tiles are properly sealed or they will soak up any dirt or spillages on them and stain. Another great pairing for underfloor heating as natural stone conducts heat extremely well.
• Carpet tiles – yes, carpet tiles are making a comeback, and as a relatively affordable and cosy option, this hard wearing conservatory flooring option is not only easy to fit, but they are easy to look after too.

Conservatory carpet flooring

If you’re wondering whether carpets are suitable for conservatories or not, the answer is yes. A lot of people opt to lay carpet in their conservatory because this new room is an extension of their home, and therefore they want the same cosy feel in this room as they do throughout the rest of the house.

But you have to be aware that your conservatory is likely to experience more moisture than the rest of the house, mainly due to the fluctuations in the air temperature, humidity and the amount of sunlight the room is exposed to, so if you do opt for carpet, don’t choose the thick pile one that will retain moisture.

The colour of carpet you want to lay will depend on how you will use the room. If it’s going to be a thoroughfare from the garden, you might want to reconsider lighter carpets as they will show up all mud and dirt that is traipsed across them.

Most people choose a neutral colour of carpet for their conservatory, so as to not detract from the view to the garden and to give the conservatory a clean, minimal look.

Conservatory laminate flooring

Laminate flooring in a conservatory is a great option because not only is it easy to upkeep, cleaning it is a doddle, something you will quickly appreciate if your conservatory leads into and out of the garden, but it’s cheap to install too.

Also you have a wide range of colours and patterns to choose from, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets.

Conservatory wooden flooring

Wooden flooring in a conservatory isn’t always the best option, this is due to the extreme fluctuations in temperatures that the typical conservatory will experience, making the wooden panels contract and expand and as a result potentially ruin the floor.

Saying that, it is possible to control the temperature in your conservatory, thus minimising the impact to your wooden floor.

However, if you have your heart set on a wooden conservatory floor, there are options available to you including engineered wooden flooring that is made especially to withstand the rigours of changeable environments.

Which type of conservatory flooring is the easiest to clean?

Every type of conservatory flooring option has their pros and cons, and when it comes to cleaning, anything that can be easily swept and doesn’t stain is a clear winner.

Carpet and carpet tiles are easy to clean as they just require a simple hoovering, no mopping, but they are prone to stains.

Tiles, laminate and wooden flooring options on the other hand are equally easy to clean as they only need a sweep and will only need a mop if there are any obvious streaks of dirt.

Ways to insulate your conservatory flooring

A conservatory is a great addition to any home, however, for 8 months of the year, they can be perishing cold as they have three external walls, so insulation is a must if you plan on using your conservatory all year round.

One of the easiest ways to insulate a conservatory is via the floor. And a simple way to insulate a conservatory floor is to lay down 100mm polystyrene underlay before any concrete is poured, as this extra layer will add a welcome warmth during the winter months.

If you’re laying carpet ensure it has underlay to insulate from the ground, and if you’re worried about the environmental effects of laying polystyrene, there is now a ‘green’ polystyrene option you can choose from.

Can you put a wooden floor in a conservatory?

You can lay a wooden floor in a conservatory, but it isn’t recommended due to the changes in air temperature, humidity and exposure to sunlight. All of these factors will cause your solid wood flooring to swell and shrink, to expand and contract with the moisture and as it dries out, and then if the wood isn’t treated, the sunlight on it will likely bleach it.

If you do want to put a wooden floor down in your conservatory, you might want to consider choosing an engineered wooden flooring that is designed to withstand the environmental rigours that a conservatory can throw at it.