A wood floor in your home can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. It can be easily combined with any interior design. You can choose from a wide range of wood types and colours to find the perfect flooring.
To make your decision easier, we’ll give you some information about different types of wood floors, the differences between them, as well as some installation and maintenance methods.
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What is wood flooring?
Flooring is a main part of any interior, and the choice of the right material is important for the composition of the entire room. That’s because the floor is a large surface that influences the whole visual perspective of your home.
Unlike your furniture, replacing your floor is neither cheap nor easy. That’s why classic wood flooring is a great option. It can be made of different materials, and on the market, you’ll find laminate flooring as well as solid or engineered wood.
The way your wooden floor is laid also plays a role in the overall look of your space.
That includes the floor pattern:
- Diagonal – instead of being arranged parallel to the walls, the floors are angled against them. Because of the increased complexity of installation, diagonal flooring might be slightly more expensive.
- Herringbone – with herringbone-patterned flooring, the boards are positioned 90 degrees apart from one another.
- Chevron – the planks are based at 45 or 60 degrees to each other.
If you’re not sure about which type of flooring or pattern to choose, or even how to install it, it’s best to contact a wood flooring specialist.
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Types of wood flooring
When picking a wood floor for your home, it’s important to know what different options have to offer you. Each type has its unique benefits and characteristics.
We will help you find the perfect flooring in order to make your home charming and welcoming.
Solid wood
Solid wood floors can be made from oak, walnut, maple, and other wooden materials.
If you want them to be properly installed, you need a professional who has the right skills and tools and knows that hardwood flooring should be nailed to the subfloor.
To maintain their appearance, you can sand and refinish the floors several times over their lifespan.
Solid wood has its pros and cons:
- Advantages – as expected, solid wood is extremely durable. Because of its thick planks, it can be sanded and refinished repeatedly. Also, the way a board is cut can highlight different aspects of its beauty, including its appearance, colour, and texture.
- Disadvantages – due to changes in humidity, solid wood planks can expand or shrink after years of use, and gaps may appear between them. Another disadvantage is that you cannot install underfloor heating beneath a solid wood floor. Don’t forget that the price per square metre is higher compared to other types of wood flooring.
Solid wood floors are a great choice because they are elegant and long-lasting. However, proper installation is essential, and they may become sensitive to humidity over time.
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Engineered wood
Engineered wood flooring is intended to have the same look as solid wood. To get that look, though, a thin coating of hardwood is merely applied on top of a plywood core. The good news is that installing engineered flooring is not too difficult.
This type of flooring cannot be refinished as frequently as solid wood. The reason is the top layer which is only a thin hardwood layer but with decent care, it may last up to 30 years or even more.
Here’s what you should consider:
- Advantages – engineered wood has the look, feel, and adaptability of hardwood, but it’s more resistant to bending and can be installed where solid wood can’t. This means that humidity and temperature will not affect engineered wood as much so you can place it in the basement and above the underfloor heating system.
- Disadvantages – this type of floor is not the best choice if you want to install a long-lasting wood floor. Even the best-engineered ones can be coated only once or twice (or not at all) depending on the thickness.
Although engineered wood flooring has lots of benefits, it’s key to keep in mind that its lifespan may not be quite as long as that of solid wood. When picking your option, consider your needs.
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Wood flooring finishes
You can judge the wooden floor’s quality by the last layer’s finish.
Floors are most often protected by rubbing special oil or varnishing the surface. Both oiled and varnished floors can wear out over time. You can restore the boards by re-painting, sanding, varnishing or oiling.
Installation methods
Installing solid wood or parquet flooring is a demanding task for non-professionals. Such work requires dexterity and great precision, as well as specific tools and machines. Once the parquet is installed, it needs to be planed and varnished or oiled.
On the other hand, installing laminate flooring is less difficult and doesn’t require professional installation if you have some experience in home improvements.
The boards can be easily connected, and there is no need to glue them to the base. For additional sound and heat insulation, it is enough to place a foam board under the flooring.
Maintaining wood floors
In addition to taking care of your wooden floors, pay attention to a few things:
- When you spill something on your floor, wipe it immediately. The water and moisture can damage the shine.
- Place a rug or doormat in the right spot to prevent dust and dirt from being brought onto the floor.
- Vacuuming and wiping the dust every day is a good idea if you want to prolong your floor’s life. Long-term dust accumulation can cause particles to adhere to the floor’s surface, making their removal very challenging.
By following these easy tips, you can maintain the beauty of your wooden floors for many years to come with little work on your part.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long can wood floors last?
Solid hardwood flooring may last between 30 and 100 years or even more, whereas engineered wood lasts for around 20-30 years. The floor’s lifespan depends on the type of wood and its quality, how it’s installed, its location, and whether it receives regular upkeep.
Are wood floors easy to maintain?
Although it may be done more frequently than with carpets, taking care of your wooden floor is not difficult. Remember to vacuum and mop your floors using the appropriate wood cleaner to collect debris and keep your floors looking like new.
Solid wood vs. Engineered wood. Which to choose?
Solid and engineered wood floorings may look similar to you, but they have their differences. For example, solid hardwood is more durable and can be sanded more times during its lifetime. On the other hand, engineered wood flooring has a solid top layer, and the base layers are made of plywood for added stability. That’s making engineered wood more affordable and flexible for use.
