Home Improvement Blog

There are basically two large competitors in the underfloor heating market: electric underfloor heating and water underfloor heating. The two have their advantages and disadvantages, but it is commonly believed that water or wet underflow systems take the prize at the end of the day.

The main thing an electrical installation has in its favor is the price of installing it. It’s relatively inexpensive to apply a mesh of wire to the ground and install a thermostat to regulate the flow. A water-based system will require a bigger initial investment, since you’ll have to install the piping under the floor, as well as a water pump and all the mechanisms to regulate the heat and water flow. But soon the initial investment will start to pay off as heating up your house using the water underflow heating system is a lot cheaper than using the electrical system. Another great advantage is that using a water-based system is technically considered, at least in many countries, a “green” way to heat your household and will also make you eligible for government benefits. Electrical underfloor heating is best reserved for either small houses or small portions of a house that need quick heating, such as a bathroom with tile floors.

Hardwood floors are a popular choice for home owners looking to add a classic look to their property. The nature of the product means it is normally a more expensive alternative to other kinds of flooring, be it laminate or vinyl floors. Of course price as well as quality can vary and it also depends on the size of the floor. So if you are looking to buy hardwood flooring and save as much as possible, here are couple of useful tips to consider:

1. Go online - Online stores do not have expensive high street properties to rent and therefore most of the savings could be passed to you, the customer. By all means, you might still go to your local store, get a sense of the prices there and of the product you wish to buy. Before committing though, go online and price check. On top of comparing prices, also look at the seller’s product availability as some sellers keep a very small stock of floors.

2. Ask for a sample - Some sellers will openly offer to send you a sample, normally for a small nominal charge to cover its postage. On the other hand, if you have seen a type of floor you really want but the seller does not appear to offer a sample, contact them. Chances are they will respond to your request. If you did pay for a sample and afterwords have decided to buy the product, try and get the price of the sample deducted from the final amount. No harm in trying.

3. Negotiate the price - If you are buying a large number of floors at once, let’s say you are in the trade, try and negotiate the price down. Most sellers when faced with a large order will respond to your request.

4. Last year’s model is not a bad word - The main differences between hardwood floors are its shade and type of wood used, such as oak, walnut etc. If you come across a good deal and the floor is of last year’s model, do not dismiss it on the spot. In most cases the differences between the current model and last year’s will be very hard to spot. Provided the floor is bought from a reputable source which has kept the wood in ideal conditions, this makes an excellent bargain.

5. Evaluate solid vs engineered floors - Oak is the most common choice for many home owners. There are two main types of oak floors to choose from. Solid floors which are made from 100% wood and engineered floors which are made from a combination of materials. Because prices can vary between the two, but they look the same you should evaluate both options and save if you can.

Enjoy your new floor when it arrives.