What type of floor for a conservatory?

[oldfatandtired1]

recently moved house to a gorgeous 2 bed modern cottage. I'm having a conservatory built to use primarily as a dining area. The conservatory will be off the sitting room, which is carpeted. What type of flooring should I have? I think I'd like wood, think tiles might be too clinical, undecided about carpet. Any recommendations?

[QueenMolotov]

Congratulations on your new home If you're planning to use the conservatory as a dining area, I would avoid carpet.

We have tiles in our conservatory; they're unpolished and you can see the natural grain in them, so not at all clinical. They're very practical and hard wearing. I also think that polished tiles are prone to scratching, so no good for dining chairs being moved around.

That said, real wood would look fab and do much the same job - it's down to personal choice and practicality.

Do you think you'd go for underfloor heating? That might affect your decision.

[oldfatandtired1]

Thank you! Yes, I think carpet might not be ideal in a dining area but as I now live (very happily!) alone I don't have to worry about kids spilling their dinner!

I think I might go for wood - or maybe Amtico/karndean? Want to get it right.

[nennyrainbow]

In a conservatory, you need to think about fading from the sun. Another reason why carpet ( or at least a coloured or dark one) wouldn't be a good option.
We have a wooden floor in our conservatory. When the sun shines on it, it feels nice and warm but never hot underfoot. I imagine tiles could go to the two extremes ( hot / cold) In summer / winter. But I don't know this for certain. Wood also scratches easily from chairs although you can out those little cushion pads underneath the legs to minimise scraping.

[nennyrainbow]

Just thinking about it, if it's a heated conservatory ( ours isn't), then I would go for underfloor heating with tiles.

[QueenMolotov]

Just to say that our tiles are freezing in winter. They don't get too hot in summer, though. We didn't go for underfloor heating, so that explains a lot! FWIW, we use a convector heater which is excellent.