How to choose the right laminate flooring thickness for your home

Laminate flooring is available in several depths, typically ranging from 6mm to 12 mm, but how do you decide what thickness is best for your home?

The first consideration is your budget. Thicker laminate boards are more expensive, but if you have a small budget a thinner laminate may be sufficient, especially in rooms with a low footfall, However, if the subfloor is uneven, it’s better to go for thicker laminate as these hide subfloor imperfections. Thinner boards are likely to wear out quicker on uneven subfloor.

Avoid 6mm boards unless your budget is extremely limited, as these are not good quality and are unlikely to last long.

A 12mm thick board can look and feel like real wood, especially if it has a raised wood grain effect. More detailed and elaborate designs are available on thicker planks.

Thicker boards are more impact resistant and should last longer. They also absorb sound better, making footsteps quieter and reducing echo. Thicker boards often feel softer underfoot.

Waterproof laminate flooring is available from 8.5mm thick, which is fine for bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms.

If expense is not an issue, buy 10mm or 12mm thick laminate flooring that is high quality, durable and looks good. There is not a large difference between these two thicknesses, so which one to install is down to personal preference.

Ask your flooring services in Chester or North Wales to show you their range of thick laminate flooring patterns and colours and choose the one you like best.

How to install a stair runner

A stair runner significantly improves the look of a plain staircase, but requires some care to install properly.

Can I install a stair runner myself?

Though a carpet retailer in Chester or North Wales may include free fitting for the stair runners they sell, it's not a difficult job if you want to fit the carpet yourself. Anyone confident in their do-it-yourself skills should be able to install stair runners.

Do I need an underlay for a stair runner?

You can install stair runners without underlay, but it is recommended that you use high-quality underlay as it adds comfort and style. A stair carpet without underlay will not last as long, especially in busy places where lots of people go up and down the stairs every day.

There are three main thickness levels of underlay. Up to 6mm thick underlay allows the runner to sit flatter, but offers less cushioning. Underlay between 6mm and 9mm has a good balance between support and comfort. Using underlay above 10mm is not recommended as the extra cushioning looks bulky and could be a trip risk.

High density underlay, though more expensive, is more hard-wearing. The recommended underlay has a density of 120 kg/m3 or more and is between 6 mm to 8mm thick.

Underlay made of PU foam works well on low footfall stairs. For busy staircases, use sponge or crumb rubber underlay.

Do you need special carpet for stair runners?

You can use any type of carpet as a stair runner, but some are better than others. It pays to invest in good quality carpets, either made from wool or a wool blend. Synthetic polypropylene carpets on busy staircases can soon look flat and worn in a short time. The best carpet to use is 100% wool that keeps its shape and height and should last longer.

If it is within your budget, go for a wool or wool-blend carpet with natural thermal and insulation properties.

How should a stair runner be fitted?

First, make sure that you have measured the stairs accurately and have bought the right length and width of carpet.

If the star runner is to be fitted with a border, paint or stain the stairs before fitting the carpet. Use tape guides to mark where the edge of the carpet is placed on every step so that it is laid straight.

Next, cut the underlay in pieces that fit on each tread surface, not the vertical riser as this will add unneeded bulk. Secure them on each tread step with double-sided carpet tape or use a staple gun.

Lay the runner, wrapping it around each stair. Starting at the top, secure the runner to each stair with a staple gun to the base of each riser. A bolster chisel keeps the carpet taut before securing it.

If one runner is not enough, connect another runner, hiding the join under the tread lip and cutting off extra material.

If the runner is too long, cut the extra material from the bottom edge.

Are robot vacuums a good idea?

Carpets should always last a long time provided they are regularly cleaned. Vacuuming does not take long, but busy people may prefer cleaning to be deleted from their to-do list altogether, with a robot vacuum often an appealing option.

In this blog, we’re investigating whether buying a robot vacuum a good way to save time and effort.

Robot vacuums can be effective in saving time. They can be programmed using a smartphone app to automatically clean the carpet at a set time, even when you are not in the home. Also, most cleaners are self-charging. If the battery is low, it returns to a docking station to recharge.

Some cleaners have adjustable cleaning modes. For instance, they can set to spot clean spills. Robot cleaners often have artificial intelligence (AI) navigation systems that plan cleaning routes and avoid objects.

Some robot vacuums automatically empty the dirt they have picked up into large storage containers at the base station. This means that it can easily vacuum large areas without needing to be emptied by a human.

However, all this smart technology often comes at a cost. A robot vacuum cleaner is likely to cost more than a traditional option. Robot vacuums also have high-tech parts that can be expensive to replace if faulty.

Another issue is that these cleaners cannot climb stairs or clean stair carpets, and some models do not have high suction power.

When choosing floor coverings from a flooring retailer in North Wales, it’s always important to consider how you’ll maintain the carpet in the long term.

How to take advantage of the mixed flooring trend

An emerging trend in 2025 is mixed flooring, which means using different materials in floors.

This creates a contrast of styles, but it is not easy to do well. The floor can look busy and uncoordinated unless materials, colours, and patterns are chosen carefully. Done right, mixed flooring is stylish.

Choose colours that complement each other and blend well. For instance, when combining hardwood flooring with ceramic tiles, choose a wood type with a colour that is similar to the tiles.

The texture of the flooring is a big part of how visual impact is achieved. Sleek smooth marble contrasts well with textured wood, giving a sense of depth. Too much texture and colour variance can feel overwhelming. Balance is the key to harmonious design.

Mixed flooring is a good way to highlight different zones in a room. In the living room, it is advisable to mark relaxing areas with different flooring than a home office zone.

Another way to use mixed flooring is to have one material covering most of the floor with a different material used as a border surrounding it. For a bolder look, create a herringbone pattern of wood and tiles, or make more intricate patterns with mixed materials.

As a general guideline, mixed flooring is better if it features no more than two flooring materials, but like all décor styles, there are no fixed rules.

For more mixed flooring design ideas, look at the wide range of flooring types available from a local flooring retailer in the Chester and the North Wales region.

Why shag carpets are making a comeback in 2025

Shag is a deep or thick file type of carpet that was extremely popular in the 1960s and 1970s. According to interior style writer Megan Lasher, these carpets are coming right back into style.

A shag carpet has a pile that is at least half an inch high. Shag carpets are believed to originate from Flokati rugs made in Ancient Greece from goat's hair. They became common in Central Asia and Turkey, where they were bought by royalty for their palaces.

Shag carpets were revived in the 1960s and 1970s and often featured bright colours and quirky patterns influenced by the psychedelic hippie culture. Sales of these bright shag carpets declined in the 1980s as more minimalist styles became popular.

Megan Lasher predicts shag carpets will be a popular home décor trend of 2025, part of the move to a more maximalist style. However, plain muted colour shag carpets are also suitable for a chic minimalist look. Earth shades of brown and green, or neutral colour carpets make a style statement without being over dramatic.

Shag carpets are soft underfoot and make a room feel warm and cosy when relaxing barefoot. If you are not ready to replace carpets, Megan Lasher suggests adding one or two colourful shag pile rugs to experience the look and feel of this luxurious style.

Whether you favour minimalist or maximalist décor styles, shag carpets add luxury to any room style. A carpet retailer in Chester, Wrexham or North Wales will be able to show you their selection of shag carpets.