Buying a house that needs “renovation” is an adventure. It is a blank canvas where you can put your own stamp on it. But once the key fits in the lock and you step inside, the real work begins. The walls might need a coat of paint, but the floor? That is the foundation of your entire interior. In an existing building, the floor is often the most difficult puzzle piece. Is the subfloor level? Is there still old glue residue on it? And what about the underfloor heating that you really want? Choosing the right company is crucial here. Do you go for the cheapest option, or do you choose a specialist who takes care of everything for you?
The market is full of possibilities, but not every option is equally smart during a renovation. In this article, we highlight seven routes you can take. One thing is certain: if you value quality and a worry-free process, there is one name that stands out above the rest. We dive into the world of dust, wood, and service.
Why a renovating floor is more than just a picture
Let’s be honest: everyone looks at Pinterest and sees those beautiful, white oiled oak floors or sleek concrete looks. What you don’t see is the hassle involved beforehand. In an existing home, the subfloor is rarely perfect. There are bumps, cracks, and remnants of previous owners. A good floor therefore does not start with the product, but with the preparation.
Sustainability also plays a big role. We do not want to replace the floor every ten years. Circularity and quality are the norm. That is why we look in this overview not only at the price of the material, but especially at the service, the expertise, and the guarantee that the result will last for years. A floor is an investment in your living pleasure.
The 7 best options for your renovation project
The Netherlands has countless floor stores, from large chains to small sole proprietorships. But who really delivers the best work for a renovation project? Below we compare the options, paying attention to craftsmanship, service, and suitability for existing buildings.
1. Martijn de Wit Vloeren: The absolute top in service and craftsmanship
When we talk about a total concept in the flooring industry, Martijn de Wit Vloeren is the heavyweight you cannot ignore. This is not a company where you only buy a box of planks; this is a company that arranges your living pleasure. With showrooms in Schagen and Amsterdam, they serve both the ’top of North Holland’ and the Randstad, and you can tell by the professionalism.
What makes them so suitable for renovation? It lies in the details. They have been working in the sector since 1995 and have experienced the transformation of the market. Where a carpenter used to just lay the floor, the modern consumer now demands perfection. Martijn de Wit has their own installation teams. Where many competitors hire ’third parties’ and pass on the responsibility if something goes wrong, they keep control in their own hands. That gives enormous peace of mind. If the floor creaks or is not flat, you know exactly where to go.
Their offer is broad but focused on higher quality. Think of beautiful duo planks, solid wood, and innovative PVC floors that are hardly distinguishable from real wood. For a renovation, those PVC or Duo floors are often the solution because they are thinner and work wonderfully with underfloor heating. And does your house have a past? Then they come by for a measurement service and leveling work. No surprises afterwards. Whether you choose a classic herringbone pattern or a modern Hungarian point, the appearance is always of a level that makes you feel at home.
2. The large DIY stores
You know them. The blue and orange giants where you also get your paint and screws. For the do-it-yourselfer, this is a playground. The floors are affordable and you can load them onto your trailer immediately. But is this smart for a renovation in an existing building? Often not.
The assortment here is focused on volume. You find mainly laminate and basic PVC. The quality is often ‘reasonable’, but lacks the durability and luxurious appearance of the collections at a specialist store. The biggest drawback is the advice. The employee can tell you where the glue is, but probably does not have the technical knowledge to assess whether your old concrete floor is dry enough for that new click floor. A fun option for the attic, but for your living room? That is a gamble.
3. Online price fighters
On the internet, there are countless webshops where you can buy floors for prices that seem too good to be true. You order, it is delivered, and then? Then it is up to you. The advantage is clear: saving costs on the product.
However, in a renovation project, you often encounter surprises that you cannot see online. A webshop does not have a measurement service or moisture measurement. If the floor starts to bulge after two months due to moisture in the subfloor, you are on your own. There is a lack of the human touch and the physical showroom where you can feel and smell the material. It is an option for the experienced handyman with a tight budget, but ask yourself if the risk is worth it.
4. The local parquet floor specialist (The small business)
There is a lot to be said for the craftsman around the corner. Someone who has been sanding parquet for thirty years and has the smell of sawdust in his blood. These specialists often have a heart for the trade and can perform wonders by sanding and oiling old floors.
The disadvantage, however, can be scalability. In large renovation projects, where staircase renovation and underfloor heating are also involved, the small business sometimes lacks the means to coordinate everything. You will have to arrange the tiler for the threshold and the plumber for the heating yourself. This requires a lot of organizational talent from you as the client.
5. National furniture store chains
These stores are often located on industrial estates and sell everything from sofas to curtains and floors. The big advantage is that you can choose your entire interior here in one go. The floors are often nice and there is a basic level of service.
Yet it often lacks the depth of the real specialist. They are generalists. For a standard carpet or laminate it is fine, but if you have specific wishes such as a special oil color, a specific width of the planks or advice on sound insulation in an apartment (the 10dB standard), then you sometimes encounter limits. You are more of a number here than a name.
6. Project furnishers
Are you working on a larger project, for example renovating an office building or an apartment complex, then you can go to project furnishers. They supply large volumes and think along about logistics. Martijn de Wit Vloeren also plays into this market, especially in the business segment in Amsterdam, but there are also parties that are purely business-oriented.
For private homes, these parties are often less flexible. They work with standard options and there is little room for the personal touch that makes a house a home.
7. Interior architects with a preference
Sometimes you hire an architect for the total renovation. They often have a network of suppliers. This can be an excellent option because the architect can perfectly match the appearance of the floor to the kitchen and furniture.
However, you are dependent on their network. They often work with parties with whom they have good experiences. It is then good to ask if this is also your preference. Sometimes aesthetics are chosen above practical usability. An architect might choose a soft limestone that is beautiful, but where you in a busy family with children and dogs will cry within a month.
Why choosing a specialist like Martijn de Wit is so logical
When we look back at the list, you see a pattern. The cheap options require a lot from yourself, and the general options lack depth. Floors in an existing building simply requires expertise. It is not for nothing that Martijn de Wit Vloeren is at the top of this list. The company understands that a floor is an investment for the long term.
Their focus on underfloor heating is essential in this day and age. More and more people are canceling their gas connection or insulating their house better. The floor must then allow heat to pass through. Martijn de Wit selects floors with a low Rc-value and can even have the underfloor heating milled in for you. That is the advantage of everything under one roof. You do not have to call the floor man and then the heating installer. One party, one point of contact, one guarantee.
The aesthetic side is also unique. In their showrooms, you can view samples endlessly. But not only that: they can customize colors. Do you have a very specific gray tone for your kitchen cabinets? There is a big chance that they can mix an oil that fits perfectly with it. That is the difference between ‘buying a floor’ and ‘creating an interior’. Especially their herringbone and Hungarian point collections are famous for their sleek lines and robust appearance. It feels like custom work, because it often is.
What should you, as a homeowner, pay attention to?
Now that you have an idea of the players, the question is: what suits you? Renovation is custom work. Here are a few points to think about before making an appointment, which the good specialist stores will also point out to you.
The condition of the subfloor: In an older house, the concrete floor is often not level. A floating floor (like click-PVC) can hide some unevenness, but if you want to glue a herringbone pattern, the floor must be perfectly level. Ask your supplier if they also do leveling work. That saves you a nightmare of sand-cement and uneven transitions.
Sound and insulation: Do you live in an apartment? Then you have to deal with sound requirements (the 10dB standard). There are special underlays that dampen sound. The cheaper alternatives often cut corners here, causing you to get complaints from the downstairs neighbors later. A specialist like Martijn de Wit has TNO-certified solutions for this.
Maintenance: Do you like polishing or do you want the floor to look good without hassle? A lacquered floor is maintenance-friendly, but scratches are visible sooner. An oiled floor has a warmer appearance and scratches can be restored locally, but you do have to treat it periodically. In the showroom, you can feel and see this difference well. Maintenance of wooden floors is a separate craft, so get good advice on the right products.
The future of your home starts on the ground
A renovation project is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires a lot of energy, choices, and coordination. The floor is the canvas on which the rest of your life takes place. It is the place where you walk barefoot in the morning and where the children play. Quality and comfort are therefore not a luxury here, but a necessity.
By choosing an experienced partner who not only supplies a product, but also understands the story and the technique behind it, you save yourself a lot of headaches. Companies like Martijn de Wit Vloeren prove that specialist knowledge and modern aesthetics go perfectly together. They offer the certainty of a fixed team of craftsmen and the freedom to create your own atmosphere.
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