Tiles & Flooring Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Floor
Choosing new flooring or tiles is easier when you start with the room rather than the finish. A busy kitchen has different demands from a bedroom, while a bathroom needs a surface chosen with moisture, cleaning and slip considerations in mind. This buying guide explains the main options currently available from JJ Building Materials, including engineered wood flooring, solid wood flooring, SPC flooring, wall tiles and wall & floor tiles.
Rather than chasing one ‘best’ floor, compare how each material suits the space, subfloor, maintenance expectations and look you want to create. Product specifications vary, so always check the individual product page before ordering or installing.
What should you consider before buying flooring?
Begin with where the floor will be fitted. Think about foot traffic, moisture, direct sunlight, pets, furniture and how often the room is cleaned. Then consider the existing subfloor and the installation method required. A beautiful product can still be the wrong choice if the base is unsuitable or the manufacturer’s fitting requirements are ignored.
Appearance matters too. Wide planks can make the grain of timber a strong feature, while herringbone, chevron and parquet layouts introduce pattern. Tiles can create anything from a restrained neutral background to a statement surface. Colour samples should ideally be viewed in the room because natural and artificial light can change how a finish appears.
Engineered wood flooring
Engineered wood is a strong starting point when you want the appearance of genuine timber with an engineered construction beneath the real-wood surface. JJ Building Materials carries plank and patterned choices from flooring brands including Woodpecker Flooring, Timba Flooring and Atkinson & Kirby.
For a natural oak look, Woodpecker Endura Natural Oak Engineered Wood Flooring is one current option. The range also includes products such as Timba Structural Engineered Natural Oak Brushed & UV Oiled Flooring and Woodpecker Grande Copper Oak Engineered Wood Flooring.
When is engineered wood a good choice?
Consider engineered wood for living rooms, dining spaces, bedrooms and other interiors where a genuine timber surface is important. Some products may be suitable for particular underfloor-heating systems, but compatibility, maximum temperatures, fitting method and subfloor preparation must be checked against the exact flooring specification.
Also compare total thickness, wear layer, finish, plank dimensions and pack coverage. These details affect floor height, visual scale, installation and how much material you need.
Solid wood flooring
Solid wood flooring is made from solid timber and appeals to buyers who want authentic natural variation and a traditional hardwood construction. It can be particularly effective in living areas, bedrooms and other suitable dry interior spaces. Because timber responds to its environment, careful acclimatisation, moisture checks, expansion provision and correct installation are important.
Current JJ Building Materials choices include Woodpecker Solido Natural Oak Solid Wood Flooring, alongside Atkinson & Kirby solid wood ranges in different finishes.
Engineered or solid wood?
Choose on the requirements of the project rather than assuming one is automatically superior. Solid timber offers a traditional construction and natural character. Engineered boards are designed differently and can offer practical advantages in installations where dimensional stability matters. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the intended room, subfloor and heating system before making the final decision.
SPC flooring
Stone Plastic Composite flooring is a practical option to investigate when easy day-to-day care and resistance to everyday moisture are priorities. JJ Building Materials stocks SPC click flooring in several wood-look shades, including Amber Oak, Dark Oak, Frosted Grey, Pebble Grey, Slate Grey, Brushed Oak, Latte Oak and Chestnut Oak.
For example, SPC Click Flooring Amber Oak with Built-in Underlay combines a click format with an integrated underlay as stated in the product title. That can simplify the shopping list, but it does not remove the need for correct subfloor preparation.
Where does SPC flooring make sense?
SPC is worth comparing for busy household spaces, kitchens and other rooms where straightforward maintenance matters. Water-resistance claims and suitability for bathrooms, underfloor heating or commercial use should always be confirmed on the exact product before installation.
Wall tiles
Wall tiles allow you to introduce colour, texture and an easy-clean finish to kitchens, bathrooms, splashbacks and feature walls. The JJ Building Materials range includes ceramic wall tiles from Johnson Tiles in numerous formats and styles.
Current examples include Johnson Tiles Prismatics Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles, Johnson Tiles Juniper Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles and Johnson Tiles Chroma 300x100mm Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles.
When choosing, compare tile dimensions, finish, colour variation, recommended application and the grout colour you plan to use. Grout can either blend with the tile or emphasise the layout, so it should be part of the design decision rather than an afterthought.
Wall and floor tiles
If you are tiling a floor, only choose a product confirmed as suitable for that application. JJ Building Materials has a dedicated wall and floor tile collection containing porcelain and other products designed for broader installation uses.
Examples currently listed include Johnson Tiles Kerastar Un-Glazed Porcelain Wall & Floor Tiles, Johnson Tiles Terrazzo 600x600mm Glazed Porcelain Wall & Floor Tiles and Johnson Tiles Refine Porcelain Wall & Floor Tiles.
Ceramic or porcelain tiles?
Do not choose solely from the material name. Check the tile’s declared use, dimensions, finish and technical information. A wall-only ceramic product should not be assumed suitable for a floor, while porcelain products can also differ significantly in finish and intended application.
Patterns: plank, herringbone, chevron and parquet
Pattern changes the character of a room as much as colour. Straight planks create a calm, continuous direction. Herringbone uses short pieces in a repeating zig-zag arrangement, while chevron uses angled ends to form a continuous V. Parquet is a broader term covering decorative geometric wood-floor arrangements.
Patterned flooring usually requires more planning around the room’s centre lines, borders, cuts and wastage. JJ Building Materials has dedicated herringbone wood flooring, chevron wood flooring and parquet wood flooring collections for comparing these layouts.
How to measure for flooring and tiles
Measure the length and width of each rectangular section of the room and multiply them to calculate square metres. Divide irregular spaces into manageable rectangles, calculate each area and add the results. Then compare the total with the pack coverage shown for the product.
Order enough additional material for cuts, selection and installation wastage. The appropriate allowance depends on the room shape, product format and laying pattern; complex patterned installations can require more than straightforward plank or grid layouts. If you are unsure, confirm quantities with your installer before ordering.
Subfloor preparation and installation
The finished surface can only perform as well as the base beneath it. Before fitting, the subfloor should meet the chosen product’s requirements for flatness, stability, cleanliness and moisture. Timber, screed and other substrates can require different preparation.
For wood flooring, follow the specified expansion, acclimatisation and fitting instructions. For tiles, use compatible preparation products, adhesives and grout for the tile and substrate. Browse tiles & flooring accessories and wood flooring accessories when planning the complete installation rather than purchasing the visible floor alone.
Common buying mistakes to avoid
- Choosing on appearance without checking room suitability.
- Assuming every product in a material family has identical moisture or heating compatibility.
- Ordering exactly the measured area with no allowance for cuts or wastage.
- Ignoring finished floor height at doors, thresholds and adjoining rooms.
- Failing to assess and prepare the subfloor before installation.
- Using a wall-only tile on a floor without confirmation of suitability.
- Buying flooring before checking the manufacturer’s installation requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best flooring for a kitchen?
There is no universal answer. SPC and suitable floor tiles are often considered because cleaning and moisture are important in kitchens. Some engineered wood products may also be suitable. Check the exact product specification, installation method and maintenance requirements.
Can engineered wood be used with underfloor heating?
Some engineered wood floors are designed for use with compatible underfloor-heating systems, but this is product-specific. Check the manufacturer’s temperature limits, subfloor requirements and installation instructions before purchase.
Can wall tiles be used on floors?
Not unless the particular tile is explicitly specified for floor use. Use the dedicated wall & floor tile range when you need products intended for flooring applications and verify each product’s technical information.
How much extra flooring should I order?
Allow for cuts and wastage rather than ordering only the exact measured area. The right percentage varies with room shape, tile or plank format and laying pattern. Ask your fitter to confirm the required quantity for complex layouts.
What should I buy with my flooring?
Depending on the product and installation, you may need underlay, adhesive, trims, thresholds, preparation products, grout or other accessories. Check the installation instructions first so every component is compatible.
Choose your floor with confidence
The right choice comes from matching the material to the room, checking the technical requirements and then selecting the colour, pattern and finish you want. Use this guide as your starting point, compare the specialist collections and always read the individual product information before ordering.