Why Ordering Flooring Samples Could Save You Thousands: The Ultimate UK Flooring Buyer's Guide
Choosing new flooring for your home is exciting, but buying from a screen alone can sometimes lead to costly mistakes. Whether you're shopping for SPC flooring, LVT flooring, luxury vinyl flooring, herringbone flooring, or waterproof flooring, one of the most important steps before you buy is ordering flooring samples.
At KWIK Floors, we always recommend visiting our Blackpool flooring showroom if possible, where you can see our full flooring collection in person. But if you can't make it to us, you can order up to 3 FREE flooring samples online, delivered straight to your door anywhere in the UK.
In this guide, we'll explain exactly why flooring samples matter, how lighting affects flooring colours, and how a simple sample can help you choose the perfect floor with confidence.
Why Flooring Samples Are So Important
When browsing flooring online, you're viewing products through a screen that may not accurately represent the true colour, texture or finish of the flooring.
Every device displays colours differently, and the lighting conditions used when a photo is taken can make flooring appear lighter, darker, warmer or cooler than it may look in your own home.
A flooring sample allows you to:
✅ See the true colour and shade
✅ Feel the texture and quality
✅ Compare flooring against your walls, furniture and décor
✅ Check how the floor looks throughout the day
✅ Avoid expensive ordering mistakes
✅ Match flooring with tiles, worktops and accessories
Flooring Colours Can Look Completely Different In Your Home
One of the biggest surprises homeowners experience is how different flooring can appear once it's installed.
The same oak-effect floor can look:
- Warm and golden in one room
- Cool and grey in another
- Light and airy during the day
- Rich and dramatic in the evening
This happens because flooring reflects the colours and light around it.
Factors That Affect Flooring Appearance:
Natural Light
South-facing rooms receive much more sunlight than north-facing rooms, which can dramatically affect how your flooring looks.
A floor that appears light oak online may appear considerably warmer when installed in a bright, sunny room.
Artificial Lighting
Warm white bulbs, cool LEDs and spotlights all influence flooring colour perception.
The same plank can appear different during the day versus the evening.
Wall Colours
Your paint colours play a huge role.
Grey walls may bring out cooler tones in a floor, while cream or beige walls can enhance warmer oak shades.
Furniture & Décor
Sofas, rugs, curtains and furnishings all impact how flooring is perceived once installed.
This is why we always recommend placing samples directly alongside your furniture and décor before making a final decision.
Feel The Texture Before You Buy
Photos can show colour, but they can't show quality.
One of the biggest benefits of ordering a flooring sample is experiencing the product in person.
With a sample, you can:
- Feel the realistic wood grain texture
- Check the embossing and surface finish
- Compare different flooring shades and designs side-by-side
- Assess the overall quality before ordering
This is particularly important when choosing between:
Ordering a flooring sample also gives you the chance to check the quality before you buy, which is especially important when shopping for flooring online. Many standard laminate flooring options do not include built-in underlay, meaning you may need to buy it separately and allow extra time for installation. Whether you are fitting the flooring yourself or booking a professional flooring fitter, this is worth considering before making your final choice. All KWIK Flooring has rigid core and built-in underlay for flooring that lasts!
Check Out The Built-In Underlay
All of our SPC flooring ranges feature an integrated underlay.
A flooring sample allows you to see:
- The rigid core construction
- Built-in acoustic underlay
- Overall plank thickness
- Edge profile and click system quality (it really makes a difference of your finished project!)
This helps you understand exactly what you're buying and can highlight potential savings compared to products that require additional underlay purchases.
Benefits of SPC Flooring With Built-In Underlay:
✔ Faster installation
✔ Reduced installation costs
✔ Improved comfort underfoot
✔ Better sound reduction
✔ Fewer additional materials required
Matching Flooring With Tiles, Kitchens & Bathrooms
Another huge advantage of ordering flooring samples is the ability to coordinate your entire project.
Before purchasing, you can compare your flooring sample against:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Worktops
- Wall tiles
- Bathroom tiles
- Paint colours
- Furniture finishes
This makes designing your room significantly easier and helps create a cohesive look throughout your home.
If you're planning a bathroom renovation, kitchen makeover or full home refurbishment, having physical samples on hand can make the decision-making process much simpler.
Planning A Flooring & Tile Project?
If you're also looking for wall tiles, bathroom tiles, kitchen tiles or porcelain tiles, be sure to visit our sister company:
👉 Dave's Tiles
https://www.davestiles.co.uk/
You'll find a huge range of stylish wall and floor tiles to complement your new flooring perfectly.
Why Visit Our Blackpool Flooring Showroom?
While online samples are incredibly useful, nothing beats seeing full-size displays in person.
At our showroom, you can compare multiple flooring ranges side-by-side and speak directly with our team for advice.
Visit KWIK Floors
KWIK Floors
Unit 4 Wheeler Hub
Wheeler Hub Drive
Blackpool
FY2 0FD
(Where TVR Cars used to be)
Our team can help you compare:
- SPC Flooring
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring
- Herringbone Flooring
- Oak Effect Flooring
- Waterproof Flooring
- Rigid Core Flooring
And help you find the perfect floor for your project.
Order Up To 3 FREE Flooring Samples Online
Can't make it to Blackpool?
No problem.
You can order up to 3 FREE flooring samples online 24/7, delivered directly to your home.
This allows you to:
✔ View flooring in your own lighting
✔ Compare colours against your décor
✔ Feel the quality and texture
✔ Check the built-in underlay
✔ Match flooring with tiles and accessories
✔ Buy with confidence
Browse Flooring & Order Your FREE Samples Today
👉 https://www.kwikfloors.co.uk/collections/all
Frequently Asked Questions
Are KWIK Floors samples really free?
Yes. You can order up to 3 flooring samples online to help you choose the perfect floor before placing your order.
How big are the flooring samples?
Our samples are designed to give you a realistic representation of the flooring colour, texture and finish so you can make an informed decision.
Can flooring colours look different in different rooms?
Absolutely. Natural light, artificial lighting, wall colours and furniture can all affect how flooring appears.
Should I order flooring samples before buying?
We strongly recommend it. Ordering samples is one of the easiest ways to avoid choosing a floor that looks different in your home than it did online.
Is SPC flooring better than laminate flooring?
SPC flooring offers several advantages including waterproof performance, rigid core construction, enhanced durability and built-in underlay depending on the brand. All KWIK Flooring is quality SPC with built-in underlay and rigid, durable core and we offer 25 year warranty for your peace of mind!
Final Thoughts
Choosing flooring is a major investment, and a small sample can make a huge difference.
Whether you're renovating a kitchen, transforming a hallway, updating a bathroom or fitting flooring throughout your home, seeing and feeling the product first gives you complete confidence in your choice.
Visit our Blackpool showroom or order your FREE flooring samples online today and see the difference for yourself.
KWIK Floors - Quality Flooring. Competitive Prices. Fast UK Delivery.