Hardwood flooring has been in use for generations and it is easy to see why this type of flooring is so popular. It is an elegant choice for the home and makes an interior feel warm, cosy and welcoming.
Another benefit of hardwood flooring is its versatility. It looks stunning in both traditional and contemporary homes and nothing beats the appearance of a correctly installed solid wood floor.
Hardwood flooring is extremely durable so it is suitable for areas of heavy traffic, such as hallways and reception rooms. It is easy to clean and maintain – oiled or waxed floors for instance require just a yearly re-oil or wax. This does not take long to do and will keep your flooring looking as good as new.
Solid hardwood flooring can be used in almost any room in the home and there are many different timbers to select from to help you achieve the look you want. Choose from a host of options including planked, parquet flooring, engineered flooring, aged and distressed floors, end grain block floors and mosaic flooring to suit your style of interior.
Although hardwood flooring is a great choice for the home, it is not the only flooring option. Here we shall look at the pros and cons of other types of flooring to help you choose the right one for you.
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Other Types of Flooring for the Home
Laminate Flooring – Laminate flooring is designed to look like wood and is easy to maintain but it does not have the beauty that you get with real wood flooring. Although hardwood flooring is more expensive than laminate, a laminate floor will last between 10 and 20 years, whereas a solid wood floor is more robust and can last generations.
Stone Flooring – Natural stone flooring not only looks attractive, it is also very hardwearing and easy to keep clean and care for. However, a natural stone floor does not have the homeliness and warmth that hardwood flooring has. Although it looks elegant in hallways, kitchens, dining rooms, utility rooms and bathrooms, it can sometimes appear stark and cold.
Bamboo Flooring – Bamboo is not a wood but a grass and is a very environmentally friendly option as it is a sustainable product that grows at a very rapid rate (it matures every four years). It is a popular form of flooring and has a distinctive look. However, it is harder to care for than a hardwood floor as the surface is softer, so it is more prone to scrapes, marks and scratches.
Terracotta Flooring – Terracotta tiles have an attractive, rustic look and are used in hallways, kitchen areas, utility rooms and bathrooms. It is a good choice for a traditional home but the downside is that terracotta is very porous and can easily absorb moisture. If the tiles are not sealed properly, they can easy stain and this is hard to put right. Terracotta tiles must be properly sealed before use.
Marble flooring – Marble is a very elegant and beautiful form of flooring which looks fantastic in halls, stairways, kitchen areas, dining rooms and bathrooms. It also benefits from being very durable. However, marble can be very expensive and therefore it is generally used only in the best homes.
Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring – Vinyl is a man-made material made from petroleum and linoleum is made from renewable materials such as solidified linseed oil combined with other substances such as wood or ground cork dust. This type of flooring is easy to clean. It is also durable, economical and is available in a wide variety of patterns and colours. You can also use linoleum or vinyl to give the effect of a tiled surface. However, this look can appear dated and vinyl or linoleum does not last as long as hardwood flooring.
Carpet – Carpet is available in lots of different colours and designs and it is also cosy and warm under your feet in cold winter days. However, if you do happen to spill something on your carpet, red wine for instance, it can be difficult to get certain stains out so you may feel that hardwood flooring is much better option. Carpets can also wear out over time, whereas a solid wood floor can be repaired and restored. And of course, you can bring in the warmth of carpet by laying rugs over a hardwood floor.
The Benefits of Hardwood Flooring
Many home owners are choosing hardwood flooring over and above other forms of flooring because it is so durable and long lasting. It looks warm and appealing and can suit all types of properties and interiors.
A home with a solid wood floor looks instantly inviting and is the ideal flooring solution. Although it can be costly to install, this is outweighed by the longevity of a solid hardwood floor which, if well maintained, can last 100 years or more.
Hardwood Flooring – Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
