Choosing the right type of wooden floor for you
If you need some help choosing the right type of wooden floor for your home, you’re not alone. It’s a struggle many people face, thanks to the huge range available. This guide should answer some of your questions about the types of wooden floor available, and where they could be used in your home. If you’ve still got questions after reading, feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help.
Laminate wood
Choosing laminate wood flooring means that you’ll have a beautiful wood finish floor that looks fantastic. Laminate flooring can still have knots and swirls in the wood grain pattern, making it look authentic, but for a fraction of the price of solid wood which is why it is such a popular type of wooden floor. People also love it because it is extremely hard wearing, and can resist scratches, scuffs, stains and moisture. Laminate flooring is available in a range of thicknesses, shades and finishes, making it an extremely versatile choice for flooring.
Solid wood
Having solid wood floors throughout the home is something many home owners aspire to. This beautiful finish has timeless appeal, and it’s one of the few flooring options that can truly last a lifetime with proper care and a little bit of maintenance. One of the main characteristics of solid wood flooring is that is tends to be much thicker than other floor types, however it’s also the most expensive flooring option. This allows for it to be sanded down and refinished multiple times during its lifetime. Much like laminate wood, solid wood flooring is available in a multitude of shades and finishes so there’s a perfect solution to be found for your home.
Engineered wood
For many people, engineered wood is the perfect combination of the practical and financial benefits of laminate wood flooring, with the solid wood top layer veneer. The board is constructed using multiple layers of plywood, making it extremely durable yet beautiful. Engineered wood can also be used in places where solid wood cannot, for example with underfloor heating systems.
Types of finish
Once you’ve decided on the right floor for you, you need to consider the finish that will be most appropriate. There are quite a few to choose from, and each has their own benefits: lacquered, oiled, brushed, and unfinished. Lacquered and oiled floors tend to be the most popular, and these simply protect the floor which is useful for high footfall areas in your home. This also helps to make the floor more resistant to water and other spills. Brushed flooring is used to create a textured finish to the floors which gives them a distressed, rustic look.
When considering the type of finish for you, you should think about where in your home this floor will be going, how much protection it’s likely to need, whether you prefer a glossy finish or a matt look, and how scratch resistant you need it (especially important if you have pets).