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Do you want to gain light, amplitude, or continuity between the different environments? Renew the floor and show off your new floor! 

Renewing the ground is a reform ten. Why? Well, because it is the closest thing to a brand new apartment... but without moving! Before choosing the material, it is important that you are clear about what you want to achieve with the new floor: more light, create a feeling of spaciousness, add warmth, modernize your home...? Knowing what exactly you are looking for will make it much easier for you to hit the material and its tonality.

And yes, it is true that only with a new floor the change is radical, but it is still a small work. So that you don't get unexpected surprises, we have gathered some of the most important things you should know before undertaking the reform: the effects that you can achieve, the amount of the removal company to store the furniture, unforeseen expenses... And also the pros and cons of 5 different materials and their approximate cost.

WORKS, THE FAIR

More and more floors are being installed without having to remove the previous pavement. Only with that, you will see the duration of the reform, debris, dust, and noise (very important if you do not move during the works) reduce. But don't be fooled, there is an unavoidable part: remove the furniture and have the house turned upside down for at least a couple of days.

UNIFY AND GAIN BREADTH

There is no fixed rule, but opting for a single floor for the entire house will make it look more spacious. If you unify colors and eliminate the profiles that separate each change of flooring, it will be easier to clean. But what about the kitchen and bathroom? Nowadays, even wooden floors – yes, make sure they can withstand humidity – are indicated for these rooms.

WHAT DO I DO WITH THE FURNITURE?

To change the floor, the furniture must be moved out of the way. You can do it yourself or hire a moving company to take care of everything: dismantle them, pack them, move them and store them in their warehouse. The whole process, with a couple of weeks of furniture storage included, could be worth around €1,800 for a flat of about 100 m 2 , according to Mudanzas Diagonal. To this price, you should add the fees for loading and unloading permits on public roads, which vary depending on each municipality.

ANTICIPATE THE UNFORESEEN

Changing the floor is not just changing the floor. Have you thought about what you are going to do with the baseboards? The usual thing is to renew them and put others "to match" with the new floor. This entails an additional cost (calculate 5% of the price of the land) that you must take into account when making your budget. Another important point, and in which we often do not fall, are the doors. If you have installed the floor on top of the previous one, it is likely that you will have to lower them. The price can range between 70 and 100 euros per door, depending on whether they are new (less than 30 years old) or recovered since the process is more complex.

FOR ALL POCKETS

Aren't your accounts coming out? Don't despair, there are also good options for tighter pockets. The large surfaces of decoration and reforms, such as Ikea, Leroy Merlin, or Bauhaus, for example, usually have promotions and very tight prices. If the budget still shoots up, you can make up the floor you already have. For example, painting it. There are special plastic paints for all types of floors from 20 euros/m 2.

5 formulas to hit

Colour. Keep this in mind, because a light floor will give light and spaciousness; while a dark one will collect and give warmth to the environment.

Texture. Highly textured floors with many joints are often difficult to clean.

Touch. If you can't decide between one material or another, try it! Take off your shoes and feel the feel of them on your feet: it is the only test with which you will have a real sensation.

Resistance. If you have children, do not hesitate: put a laminate. It is resistant, suffered, and will withstand the trot of the little ones well.

Climate. If you live in a cold area, nothing better than wood. On the other hand, if it is hot, ally yourself with the coolness of stone or ceramics.

1. WOOD, THE WARMEST

Before betting on natural wood, you should ask yourself the following question: do I mind if it is not always like the first day? If the answer is no, don't hesitate, because wood, as a natural product, transforms when it ages.

Rustic Provencal Dining Room in White with Hardwood Floor

Advantages. It is warm to the eye and to the touch and adds value to any space. It is ecological (make sure it has the FSC or PEFC certificate and the varnishes used are natural) and can be installed on the previous floor, as long as it is stable. It can be repaired without losing its beauty and with minimal maintenance, it can be a floor for life. If you choose a platform nailed to the ground, you also gain stability and minimize footfall noise.

CERAMIC WOOD IS A LONG-SUFFERING ALTERNATIVE TO NATURAL WOOD. IT IS A PORCELAIN STONEWARE THAT IMITATES WOOD VERY WELL

To consider. As a living material that it is, it is not an unalterable floor, it evolves: it changes tone, imperfections appear due to bumps, scratches... Before deciding, you must assess it.

Price. From 75 euros/m 2 an oak flooring from Listone Giordano.

1. CERAMIC, VERY VERSATILE

If you are looking for an off-road floor that does not require maintenance and is very hard-wearing, ceramic flooring is a very good option.

Passage area with natural stone floor and white wooden beams

Advantages.

It is very versatile and adapts to any decorative style thanks to its wide range of designs and finishes that mimic everything from natural stone to metal or cement.

To consider. You will have to live with the joints, although XXL formats are already on the market (in Porcelanosa there are 3 x 1 m). However, they are more expensive and delicate pieces to install, so it is advisable for a professional to be in charge of handling them. Breaking one of these tiles can be very expensive.

Price. From 30 euros/m 2, depending on the design and format, by Porcelanosa.

When to choose it? When you want natural, elegant, durable, and exclusive flooring, because no two are the same. You can choose it in different finishes, from raw or natural, which is very fashionable, to bright, which creates sophisticated and "luxurious" environments.

Bathroom with large window and vanity unit with countertop sink

Advantages. It is a sustainable pavement, no toxic products are used in its extraction or handling. It is hard and impact-resistant – granite more than marble –, easy to clean, and can be installed on top of the previous one.

To consider. The polished finish loses its shine over time and to get it back you will need to polish it again. Marble, and especially limestone -very porous-, are not recommended for the kitchen, as they are sensitive to stains and aggressive products. The granite is more suffered but, throughout the house, its marked drawings can get tiresome.

Do you like the look of wood but are looking for a cheaper option that is more prone to stains and scratches? Laminate is undoubtedly your best option. But you should keep in mind that, although cheaper, it is not as durable as wood.

White bedroom in royal estate with laminate flooring

Advantages. With the click system, it is easy to install (in one day a 100 m 2 floor can be ready ), it offers many finishes and does not discolor in the sun.

To consider. Being floating, it can produce a "drum effect" when walking, it cannot be repaired and it does not age.

Price. Quick-Step's Impressive laminate, from 27 euros/m 2.

THERE ARE LAMINATES THAT, THANKS TO A COATING, ARE WATER-RESISTANT, IDEAL FOR THE BATHROOM.

1. MICROCEMENT, A CONTINUOUS FLOOR

It is the perfect option if you are looking for a continuous and unified floor for the whole house. And goodbye to the boards! Plus, you can even customize the color.

Dining room with the large window open to the garden and micro cement floor

Advantages. It is a continuous flooring and can be installed on top of the previous one –provided it is stable– without the need to lower the doors since it usually has a thickness of about 2-3 mm. It is important to bear in mind that the thinner the thickness, the greater its resistance, and not the other way around. Although there is a limited number of colors (in Topcret, 35) custom variations can be made. It is waterproof and its application is handmade, so each work is unique. It can be easily repaired and comes in various finishes: matte, satin (the most recommended option), glossy, and rustic (with a rougher texture).