The natural beauty and warmth of a wood floor is incomparable. It’s also lovely underfoot and relatively easy to maintain, (more on this later), so it’s no surprise that it’s often the first choice for many.
But it’s confusing. There are many choices out there. So here is my guide to help you through the process of choosing the right wood floor for your home – one that looks great and suits you best.
Solid wood or engineered.
Solid wood flooring is constructed entirely out of real wood from slow growing trees. Whereas engineered flooring is a type of layered floor with an upper layer of real hardwood or oak combined with several layers of plywood underneath.
Generally, solid wood floors have a longer lifespan because they can be sanded back many times, while engineered flooring can be more affordable and stable (they don’t expand and contract during temperature changes).
The next stage of the process will depend on your choice above.
If you have decided solid timber is the right option for you, then the next decision is to go with either a prefinished or raw finish. A prefinished floor is one that has already been stained and sealed in the factory making it easier, quicker and cheaper to install. It also means you don’t have to wait for the floor to acclimatise. On the other hand, a raw timber floor after installation will need to be sanded and coated which takes time and will cost, but it also gives you enormous flexibility in choosing your stain (colour) and finish (polished or matte and everything in between). Importantly, both of these options can be sanded down and refinished multiple times which means you can revitalise tired looking floors.
Choosing the species of the timber will substantially impact your floors performance and appearance. Australian hardwood species such as Blackbutt, Spotted Gum and Ironbark are incredibly hard, durable and can last a lifetime. European or American Oak in contrast are more susceptible to scratches and dents but generally have a greater resistance to moisture. They are a popular option as as they offer lighter colour palettes making them easy to stain into different colours.
If engineered timber is your preferred option, you’ll get the solid wood flooring look with core layers of high density wood providing added strength. This makes it lightweight yet strong and able to withstand heavy foot traffic in a home or commercial space. Always go for the best quality you can afford, keeping in mind a thicker top layer of hardwood can be refinished to bring new life to tired floors if required.
There is a huge range of styles and finishes of engineered flooring. One of the added benefits is that they’re also available in wider plank sizes, as well as pre-cut parquetry options such as chevron and herringbone.
With either option, it’s also likely that you’ll be required to choose the wood grade. Typically, there are three to choose between which are distinguished by the amount of natural features (veins, spirals, burls etc.) present. A select or prime grade typically shows minimal features and comes at the highest price, with a more rustic or natural grade a more affordable option.
Whatever your decision, nothing quite compares to a timber floor. It never goes out of style and it absolutely adds value to a house. However, if you’re looking for a couple of alternatives keep reading…
Alternatives.
Laminate
I know – it’s not exactly a ‘wood’ floor but I do think it has its place and it’s come a long way in recent years. Comprised of a textured and coloured print layer that is sandwiched between a protective topcoat and a composite core (made of melamine resin and fibreboard) it’s tough enough to handle kids, pets and high-traffic.
It is important to understand it’s limitations, importantly it cannot be refinished so scratches, dents or other damage can not be simply sanded down, impacting the life of the product. It’s also generally installed directly above the subfloor as a floating floor so it may sound (and feel) less solid when walked on.
In my opinion it’s a great choice for a rental (Airbnb) and holiday home in sunny Australia as the protective topcoat not only helps guard it from scratches and stains but is also UV resistant so it will maintain its colour and not fade overtime, unlike timber.
Cork
Have you ever thought about cork flooring? It’s produced from the bark of a cork oak tree and is the most sustainable wood flooring option. Available in tiles and planks it’s comfortable to walk on (soft and springy) and a great option for people with allergies due to its antimicrobial properties.
It also has thermal and acoustic insulation benefits and comes in a range of colours. Definitely a more unexpected choice, but it has a certain vibe and I’m here for it!
As always, reach out if you have any questions, or if you need any assistance with your project - we can help you navigate decisions, just like this one!
Image @pinterest. All credit to rightful owner.
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