Wood floors can strike the perfect note in any style of home: they look natural, warm and rustic in a country house, and in a contemporary setting, they can add texture and create an organic feel. In addition, both in modern and vintage homes, the different vinyl and laminate versions can be an excellent and practical choice.
Wooden floors are in constant technical development; the latest ranges have strong, durable finishes and are easy to install. There’s no need to worry about the spaces between the tables; the click and lock systems mean the task can be handled by an expert DIYer, although most providers will also offer an installation service.
All types of wood flooring can be laid over virtually any subfloor, including floorboards, concrete, old tile, or a wood surface, as long as the surface is firm, dry, and flat. However, reclaimed wood flooring is a slightly different proposition as it won’t be carefully cut to size and it’s also hard to judge what it will look like once finished. Follow the supplier’s advice on how much to buy and which finish to choose, and always make sure you’ve bought enough; it will be tedious to search for similar boards elsewhere. It is also worth experimenting with cleaning and/or finishes on a replacement board prior to installation.
Since it is an integral part of the room and the color scheme, you should choose your hardwood flooring at the beginning of the renovation or redecoration project. Depending on how light or dark the floor is, it can affect the appearance of the paint and wallpaper colors. Although some hardwood floors, such as parquet, hardwood, and reclaimed planks, can be darkened or lightened by sanding and refinishing, it’s not a job you want to do very often.
Types of wood floors
Solid wood
Made from the named woods, these are solid throughout. Some types are suitable for installation as a structural floor without the need for a subfloor underneath.
reclaimed wood
This can be purchased as plank, plank or panel packages from salvage and recovery yards, or as complete floors from hardwood flooring specialists. Before installing a reclaimed wood floor, it can seem very uninspiring. However, once it’s ugly, it can look amazing.
Multilayer or Designed
A base of plywood or veneer, constructed of several layers of interlocking hardwood or softwood boards, and topped with a layer of said wood. The construction of this floor gives it strength and stability, making it a good alternative to solid wood flooring.
laminate
Manufactured by producing a wooden image over a plastic layer, which is laminated to a board backing. High-quality versions have convincing textured finishes and are strong and strong. Inexpensive versions from DIY stores can look flat and lifeless, and the “wood” finish can peel or chip at the edges of the boards.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is widely available in wood patterns. Luxury laminate vinyl can be a good choice in the kitchen or bathroom, and is considerably less expensive than solid wood. Vinyl plank or block flooring feels harder underfoot, but since each floor is individually designed, it should always be professionally installed.
Suitability
o The wooden floors can be noisy, especially in the rooms above; use rugs to muffle the sound of footsteps in crowded areas, and always use the insulation suggested by the installers.
o Reclaimed wood flooring is generally very weathered and durable enough for most living areas, although bathrooms and kitchens should be avoided.
o Solid or engineered wood floors are suitable for living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and bedrooms.
o Laminates are suitable for living rooms and bedrooms, but avoid rooms with water as seepage between the joints can cause the planks to swell or discolour.
o Vinyl faux are good choices for bathrooms and kitchens, conservatories and utility rooms, as well as main living areas.
Styles and Grades
Hardwood floors come in planks (also known as planks), each of which can be made up of multiple strips. A plank with a three-strip design has three narrow strips running the length of the plank. The floor will have a random strip pattern when it’s ugly. The planks can vary in thickness, each depth being more suitable for certain bases. For example, thicker planks, around 22mm, can be laid over joists as structural floorboards, while thinner planks, around 7mm to 15mm thick, can be laid as overlay floors on top of a smooth subfloor. and existing dry.
The surface finish of wooden floors is also rated. Premium or select grades are smooth, uniform, and knot-free. Going down the scale, the grades called “natural” or “rustic” are less uniform and, in many cases, more realistic and attractive. Only order your flooring when you have seen a sample of the exact plank: strip, color, grade and finish.
Wood Floors and the Environment
Wood floors are generally recognized to be eco-friendly, as long as they are produced with wood from sustainable forests. Reputable stores will only deal with manufacturers who use wood from certified sources. In the UK, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme is widely recognized and includes a certified chain that tracks timber at every stage, from forest to retailer. For more details visit fsc-uk.info or call (01686) 413916.
trends
There is currently a movement away from pale, narrow woods towards darker wood and reclaimed flooring. Oak is a perennial favorite, possibly due to its mid-range color options and the fact that it pairs with virtually any color scheme or style.
Extra-wide planks and planks (up to 30″ wide in some cases) are also becoming favourites, many with distressed finishes such as “smoked” effects. For laminate flooring, choose designs with V-grooves along the long and short edges of the planks, and with textured surfaces, which look much more realistic than completely smooth surfaces.
longevity and maintenance
Solid wood floors are incredibly durable and will last for many years. It can be sanded and resurfaced every five to seven years. Engineered floors will typically hold up to one or two sandings, but not more than that. Real hardwood floors will age gracefully, and signs of wear and tear are an acceptable feature – as wood furniture ages and picks up the occasional dent or scuff, so will your hardwood floors. Laminate floors cannot be sanded when they are chipped, damaged or scratched, although the best quality floors are highly resistant to wear and scratches.
Prevent wooden floors from being scratched by sand, dust and dirt by sweeping them regularly with a soft brush or by vacuuming. Also mop the floor once a week or so with a well wrung out mop. A detergent can be added to the water, depending on whether the floor has a hard (varnished or lacquered) or soft (waxed or oiled) finish. Hard finishes provide a protective barrier for the wood and offer a high level of protection, but are more difficult to repair if damaged.
A serious scratch or dent in a lacquered finish usually means the entire floor needs to be sanded down and then re-lacquered or re-stained. Waxed or oiled finishes are smoother and protect the surface by sinking into the wood itself. They are most successful if you want to maintain an aged and worn look for your hardwood floor. If the waxed or oiled woods become damaged, it will not be necessary to redo the entire floor, as an isolated area can be sanded and re-waxed or re-oiled.
Wood-look vinyl flooring is easy to clean; Regular sweeping and mopping is all it takes, and scuff marks can be removed by applying a little white spirit with a soft cloth.