There is no denying that wooden flooring is becoming increasingly more popular, and with that more people are looking at the different options available to them. Whether you want a rustic look, an elegant finish, or something classic, there are different wooden flooring designs that are going to suit the vision you have for the interior decor of your home. While it may be easy to clean and maintain, and can be very hard wearing, before you make the switch to wooden flooring, you may want to be more aware of the process of fitting and what options that are available to you. Here are some of the things to think about.
How is wooden flooring installed?
It is important to get all the factors in place before enabling a wooden floor to be fitted, and one of the biggest factors is measuring the area in which you want the wooden flooring to be laid. You need to consider other things such as the tools that you will need to lay the wooden flooring as well as necessary items such as underlay.
Also check: Wood Flooring Guide
Underlay is fitted underneath the wooden flooring and is the inner layer between the concrete and the wooden flooring itself. To fit wooden flooring it is always best to start from left to right and work from the corner. This will enable you to get things fitted correctly and to also have an even distribution.
The types of wooden flooring available
There are three main kinds of wooden flooring that you will find. There is laminate flooring, engineered wooden flooring, and solid wood, or hardwood flooring. However, all of these different options have varying floor fitting costs. Laminate flooring is made up of a thin strip of plastic with an image of wood grain on it, on top of a piece of MDF. This is one of the most value for money options and can be the easiest to fit. Engineered wooden floors are made of real wood veneer which can be sanded and treated. Engineered wooden flooring can also be fixed above a concrete floor. Solid wood floors are whole planks of wood that are nailed down to a subfloor frame installed below. They all offer different results and design features, vary in cost and also have different processes for fitting. Below we are going to look at the three options in a little more detail to give you a more in-depth knowledge on each one to help you with your decision.
Laminate flooring
As mentioned earlier, laminate flooring is made up of a thin strip of practice which has an image of wood grain on it. It can be extremely good value for money and easy to install. Laminate flooring has become a popular choice for many homeowners in bathrooms and kitchens. This is due to its ability to closely emulate today’s most popular hard surfaces, especially for design looks such as hardwood planks and ceramic or stone tiles. Besides the great textures and designs, laminate offers improved durability. It is also extremely easy to maintain and is far more affordable than the other wooden flooring options available. It is easy to fit, and requires underlay underneath and then installing the laminate planks together working from left to right. You will find that laminate gives you the benefit of many different designs, colours and textures making it not only affordable but one of the most diverse options that you can consider.
Engineered wood flooring
Engineered wood floors, often known as composite wood floors, are becoming increasingly popular. This is because they are also hard-wearing and relatively easy to maintain. They do not expand and contract as much as solid wood, meaning they are more useful in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms, and can be placed on top of a concrete floor making them very easy to install with little preparation needed. As we already know, the surface of engineered wood flooring is real wood so the natural characteristics are obvious. But there are other advantages to consider. There is a major benefit to installing engineered wood flooring in older homes, this is because of the increase in stability. Older homes are vulnerable to heat and humidity. The engineered wood flooring can also be used to cover larger areas. As there is increased demand and popularity, there is much more choice available in Engineered Flooring. Making it an ideal option for your renovation project. It may not be as affordable as laminate, but it is a cheaper alternative to hardwood flooring.
Hardwood flooring
Last of all, it is worth spending some time to discuss the option of hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring fitters will use real planks of wood to create an impressive and solid floor. This is by far the best option in terms of unique and design, but it is also the most expensive option out of the three. There are many kinds of wood that can be used, from oak and maple to pine and walnut. All of which will have different possible finishes and treatments. They can require some maintenance, such as waxing or varnishing as this will help to keep them at their best. But the main benefit is that the hardwood flooring, if maintained properly can last for decades and often add value to a property. It might also take the longest to install as there may be different sized planks to fit, depending on the style of hardwood floor you have chosen.
In conclusion, which option is better?
All three of the wooden flooring options have their benefits and weaknesses, and the biggest factor comes down to cost. Laminate flooring is a durable and hard wearing option, and although the most affordable option, can give you great flexibility in terms of the style. If you have an older property then you may want to think of engineered wood flooring, just because of the increased stability. However, if you want the wow factor and you have a greater budget, then you really can’t go wrong with hardwood flooring.
If you want any information on flooring and costs of installation then contact us or call us today for a full quotation.