We have different types of clients at Kite. Some choose a floor before they have bought a house. Others choose a floor, then choose another, then ask for more samples, then finally decide to go with the original floor. This blog is for those who leave it to the last minute (we also have unlucky clients who get let down suppliers, but the same lastminute.com rules apply).
Generally, it’s always best to choose your floor well in advance, say 12 weeks, to be safe. It’s also best to have it made once you decide because 1) in the current market, prices can change and, 2) floors go out of stock. Once a floor is in our warehouse it can be stored and then delivered when you need it.
However, we also recognise renovations don’t always go to plan. Flooring is just one of hundreds of decisions you have to make, and whilst we obviously think it’s pretty important, sometimes, it slips down your priority list. Then, when you’re feeling like you’re on the home straight, and you’re hoping to only have one (or maybe two…) trips left to the bank, your contractor will say “please can you deliver the flooring?”
“Arrrrr. Flooring. Yes. Definitely going to need that. Cra*.”
So. What’s the plan? So firstly, here’s what not to do…
Don’t order 100s of samples from online retailers, you’ll just end up with a series of yellow coffee matts. It’s so hard to judge a floor by a tiny sample, as it doesn’t show 1) the filling strategy (so how the knots are filled) and 2) the balance of the grading (so the colour variations, and knot patterns). And don’t get tricked by those countdown clocks…the sales never end. Also, don’t go with the floor your builder can get quickly. Flooring is a big decision; there is nothing worse than a cheap wood floor, both from a look and a performance perspective.
Our advise is to start off by deciding what you are actually looking for.
This might seem obvious. But you wouldn’t believe how many people have no idea. Trust us, it will be a frustrating process if you can’t cut down the 1,000s of options pretty quickly. It is way better to do this at home, online, rather than trudging around flooring shops. Whilst flooring shops have samples of floors, they are rubbish at showing what a finished scheme will look like.
We’ve already written blogs on Wood vs. Laminate and floor choice that are a good place to start –
“You want a wood floor, but don’t know what to choose”
Also, look at our Instagram for inspiration – Kite Flooring Instagram, or any other wood flooring company. Think along the lines of Colour (but general, rather than specific), Shape (so plank or parquet), Grade (with knots, no knots or something in the middle) or Texture (reclaimed, smooth).
Next, find a flooring retailer who knows their stuff and sells a range of products (obviously we’re one of those…).
We literally look at floors all day. Even weekends. We dream of floors. Pretty much every distributor or manufacturer in the UK has pitched us products over the past 12 months.
So, if you’re on a tight timeline, don’t scour the market yourself, speak to someone who has already done it.
Send us an image of the look you’re trying to achieve, and then work with us to source it. Think of us as a buying agent. But for floors.
So, what are our favourite quick lead time floors?
Well, from a Kite perspective, our invisible oiled floors are a great option (and we try and stock them..).
The planks come in various grades, from rustic to clean, and the Herringbones and Chevrons come in a prime grade (so no knots). Invisible oiled floors are great because they look good in any design scheme; not too modern, not too traditional. All of these floors we normally have in stock!
Kite also stocks Natural Oak floors in Rustic grades, either in plank or Herringbone.
If you’re looking for a more specific finish, Kite works with a range of wholesalers, many of whom stock floors in the UK. These include V4 wood flooring, Woodpecker, Atkinson Kirby, Lamett, to name just a few. Just with those names, you have nearly 500 different floors stocked in the UK, that you can get access to within weeks.
All of these floors we fit regularly, so we know they’re good quality (never trust a flooring business that doesn’t actually fit floors!!)
We don’t do vinyls, but if you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, our range of Premium Laminates are also UK-stocked. Again samples can be arranged, and floors delivered, within a week.
So, if you’ve left your new flooring to the last minute, or been left high and dry by another supplier, give our team a call. We’ll source you the perfect floor, and save you from sampling hell.
You can book a call with one of our team here –
