The flooring you choose is only half the story. The right accessories – underlay, door bars, trims, and finishing strips – make the difference between a good installation and a professional one. Here's your guide to the accessories that complete your flooring project.
Underlay: The Hidden Hero
Underlay sits beneath your flooring and quietly does some of the most important work. It absorbs sound, smooths minor subfloor imperfections, provides thermal insulation, and extends the life of your floor. Choosing the wrong underlay – or skipping it entirely – is one of the most common flooring mistakes.
Underlay by Flooring Type
Different flooring types require different underlay, and using the wrong type can void your warranty or cause problems:
Laminate underlay needs to be thin, firm, and moisture-resistant. Foam and fibreboard underlays work best, providing the right amount of cushioning without creating too much "bounce" that could stress the click joints.
Carpet underlay should be thicker and softer. PU (polyurethane) foam, rubber, and felt options are all popular. The right carpet underlay makes a noticeable difference to how your carpet feels and sounds underfoot. Top brands include Ball and Young, Cloud9, and Cushilay.
LVT underlay is specifically designed for luxury vinyl tiles. It needs to be thin and firm to prevent the LVT from flexing, while still providing acoustic and thermal benefits. Not all LVT requires underlay – read the guide on whether you need underlay with vinyl flooring before purchasing.
Browse the full underlay range to find the right match for your flooring.
Door Bars and Threshold Strips
Door bars serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose. They create clean transitions between rooms (especially where different flooring types meet), protect exposed edges, and accommodate the expansion gaps that floating floors require.
There are several types to consider depending on your situation: ramp bars bridge height differences between floors, twin bars join floors at the same level, and single-edge trims neatly finish exposed edges against walls or doorframes.
Door bars come in two popular finishes:
- Silver door bars – Sleek and modern, complementing contemporary interiors
- Gold door bars – Classic and warm, perfect for traditional homes
Both are available as self-adhesive (peel and stick) or screw-fix options depending on your flooring installation type.
Feature and Finishing Strips
Feature and finishing strips add decorative detail to your flooring. These are particularly popular with LVT installations, where design strips can be placed between tiles to create grout-line effects, borders, and custom patterns. They're a small investment that can dramatically change the appearance of your floor.
LVT-Specific Accessories
LVT flooring has its own set of accessories worth considering. LVT accessories include design strips, grout strips, adhesives, and primers. If you're installing glue-down LVT, the right adhesive is critical – the glue-down LVT installation guide covers everything you need to know.
Planning Your Project
Before you start any flooring installation, use the floor measuring guide to calculate your requirements accurately. Factor in 10% extra for cuts and waste, and don't forget to order accessories at the same time as your flooring to avoid delays.
For answers to common questions about delivery, returns, and payment, check the order FAQ.
Ready to complete your flooring project? Browse all flooring accessories and find everything you need in one place.
No comments:
Post a Comment