Lay good foundations for flooring sales

Capitalise on refurbs that add value.

Rising living costs mean homeowners have become cautious about home refurbishments, prioritising those that will add value to their properties. Wood floors certainly fall into this category, making them a good product choice for merchants to stock in their branches.

Wood floors are also easy to keep clean and free of dustmites, making them particularly suitable for allergy sufferers.

Many different types, colours and styles of wood floor are available, from pine and spruce products, through to more traditional beech, oak and hardwoods.

Of particular appeal is how easy wood floors are to maintain, though this varies depending on the type of wood, the pattern and the finish.

To make sure you recommend the right product, ask your customer where the flooring will be used to determine the likely wear and tear on the surface, and how heavy the footfall will be. Also check how humid the area is (ie, if it is being fitted in a kitchen or bathroom), as this may affect the most suitable wood to use.

Remember: Choosing wood with the right moisture level is important to make sure there are no problems once installed. For best results, remind customers to let the wood stabilise to the room’s conditions for at least 24hrs (48hrs for hardwood) before fixing.

Hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring comes in both solid and engineered forms. A solid hardwood floor is durable enough to last a lifetime and resistant to dents and scratches.

Softwood flooring
Softwood floors are naturally more vulnerable to dents and marks from sharp objects, but can generally be repaired easily, and offer similar benefits to hardwoods at a substantially lower price. They are also highly versatile, with finishes available to match any decor, whether that’s a modern apartment or a country cottage.

To boost flooring sales merchandising is key, so you can display the various products and finishes at their best. Some suppliers may also offer merchandising units or useful marketing collateral to aid sales.