These days you’re almost spoilt for choice when it comes to flooring – carpet, vinyl, laminate, bamboo, cork, tile, rubber, the list goes on. But there’s a reason why people keep coming back to good old reliable wooden flooring.
Hardwood floors have over the years become more and more popular, thanks to its durability, ease of maintenance and the fact that it’s timeless. It’s crazy to think that in the 50s, 60s and into the 70s, carpets were actually considered somewhat of a luxury item and people covered up all those beautiful wooden floors with horrible synthetic carpet!
Many people can be initially put off by the slightly higher initial costs when it comes to laying a brand new wood floor. A good, well laid hardwood floor should be seen more of an investment, which when well maintained should last a lifetime. Remember – most wood floors are timeless!
So what are the main benefits and why should you consider a solid wood floor next? We list some of the main benefits, most of which are well documented, but some you might not be well aware of.
Durability
Whether you plump for a solid or engineered product, both of these are incredibly durable when it comes to day-to-day use. Got a high traffic area such as a hallway? It’s a perfect choice and there are a plethora of wood choices and finishes that can further increase its durability.
Maintenance & Hygiene
Cleaning and looking after your wood floors is a doddle. A quick once over with a soft brush or even an attachment to your vacuum cleaner does the trick nicely. But what about spills we hear you ask? Not a problem. Wood floors are actually very resistant to liquid spills, making all those troublesome accidents from children and pets a breeze to deal with – not quite the same for carpet!
Another tick in the box for wood flooring is allergens. If you suffer from asthma or even something like hayfever, all those nasty dust and particles don’t get trapped like they do with carpet. This makes it an ideal choice for living rooms.
A Solid Investment
Going back to what we said earlier – a real wood floor should be seen as investment. Not only do they look beautiful for years and years, but they can also help sell your home. It’s a tick firmly in the ‘things that don’t need doing’ box when prospective buyers are searching.
Always on-Trend
Although other types of flooring come in myriad of colours, designs and styles, they often date quickly as the trend for them comes and goes. Not only do they date, but they begin to look tired and worn as the years pass by, and that initial cost to have it laid doesn’t look quite so great.
A well maintained wood floor can continue to look its best for a considerably longer period. Some types of wood can even look better and develop more character with age too! Unlike other types of floor, you can’t simply ‘fix’ it by sanding it back and re-polishing it like you can with wood. There is a reason why wood has lasted centuries and is now currently more popular than ever.
Available to All Budgets
There’s no getting away from the fact that a solid wood flooring is more expensive than other flooring options out there. However, the development in the industry and production over the last 20 years, has meant that certain types of wood can now be produced far cheaper than before.
Thickness, width and the type of wood all play a factor in the overall costs, but there is now far more choice and most budgets can be met.
Odourless and Improved Air Quality
Yep, believe it or not, simply by having a wooden floor, you can reduce a lot of nasty household whiffs. Because there’s nowhere for the odours to get trapped, you’ll find that your home smells a lot fresher! Perfect if you have animals running around – we can’t guarantee it’ll stop teenagers smelling, but you never know…
Because odours cannot get trapped, air quality is naturally improved as the air can circulate around the room with ease.
Choice
Wood flooring comes in a wide variety of types, each with their own unique look and pros and cons. Some of the more popular wood types include;
- Ash – light in colour and perfect for a Scandinavian style look
- Elm – dark brown colour with lots of lovely texture
- Pine – rich in colour and very economical
- Oak – warm and rich, with loads of character and by far the most popular choice
- Walnut – classic, dark tones and very hard wearing
As well as choice of colours, wood flooring also comes in different styles when laid;
- Plank – wider strips in varying lengths
- Strip – narrower liner flooring, helping to give the illusion of a larger room
- Parquet – the classic, geometric pattern created with smaller wood pieces
Improved Acoustics
If you’re an audiophile or just don’t like that ‘hollow’ sound you get from a laminate or floating floor, a wooden floor with subfloor preparation makes the ideal choice.
Suitable for Underfloor Heating
With more and more homeowners looking at greener ways to heat their properties, underfloor heating is becoming more and more popular due to its efficiency. An engineered wood flooring provides the perfect timber material to use with underfloor heating, owing to its ability to remain stable during temperature changes.
If you’re looking to upgrade your floor, or perhaps you have a wooden floor that needs some TLC? Whatever your requirements, get in touch and we’d be more than happy to help.
