Wooden flooring is a beautiful choice for any home and can add a touch of class to any room. It is available in a wide range of styles, colours, cuts and species.
The best wooden floor options for your home will depend on your needs and style, but you should also consider a few general guidelines before making your final decision. First, the color of your wooden floors can have a dramatic impact on the look of your home and your interior design scheme.
Light shades of wood make a room appear lighter and more open, while darker shades can make a small space look even smaller. For that reason, it is important to choose a shade that compliments the colour of your walls and other interior furnishings.
When choosing the right floor for your home, it is worth considering its hardness level, which will affect how durable it is and its ability to withstand moisture. This will also help to determine how long your wooden floors will last and whether they will need to be sanded down over time.
Solid hardwood: A popular option, solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood and can be sanded repeatedly to restore the original finish. However, this type of wood is not suitable for installation below grade or in damp spaces as it can be prone to warping.
Engineered wood: Engineered wooden floors are thinner than solid hardwood and can be installed over existing tile or carpet. This makes them an ideal choice for rooms that need to be insulated, such as a basement or a bathroom.
The most common types of engineered wood are oak, maple and birch. These woods are known for their wide grain patterns, durability and the variety of stains that can be applied to them.
Walnut: A richer and darker base tone than oak, walnut offers a warm and unique appearance to your floors. The wood is resistant to rot and insect damage.
Hickory: With its dramatic grain pattern, hickory is very durable and strong. It can be used for both commercial and residential projects.
Mahogany: With a fine texture and a deeper brown color, mahogany is also a durable wood that is resistant to moisture and insect damage. It is also an attractive wood choice for any home with a rustic or contemporary design style.
Porcelain: Another lightweight alternative to wooden floors, porcelain is often used in bathrooms and shower rooms where it is more resistant to water and temperature changes. Its natural appearance is also appealing to many consumers.
Painting: A popular option for wood flooring, painting is a great way to add your own personal touch to a wooden floor and a cost-effective way of changing the appearance of a room. It also protects the timber from wear and tear, so it will be less likely to need to be refinished in the future.
Oil or varnish: Using either of these finishes can help to protect your wood from damage, and they can both look stunning in any interior design scheme. It is a good idea to test both on a sample board to see which you prefer.