Interior Decor Guide to Wood Flooring

oiled flooring Wood flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring used in many homes. The ability of hardwood to create a sense of inviting feeling and the durability of wood, make it a top consideration during any home improvement and decoration process.

With the right care which revolves around keeping the floor clean, wood flooring can last for 30 years. There are however some considerations which have to be take into account when sourcing wood. Here is your complete guide to wood flooring.

There are three important considerations to take into account when sourcing wood flooring products.

Once you understand the technology behind the floor and the various options, you will be able to find the most suitable floor for your home.

The three considerations are, the type of floor, the wood species which is used and the coating which seals the wood.

Wood Flooring Types:
There are two types of wood flooring on offer because not all wood flooring are made from wood alone. The first type is called solid wood flooring and as the name suggest, the floor is made from 100% solid wood.

While this makes the floor very strong, it inherits one property of natural wood which some may find unsuitable in their home. Wood will react to temperature changes, so in cold conditions it may shrink and in hot conditions it may expand. Solid floor which carries 100% wood, may react in such a way.

solid oak floor The alternative therefore is another type of wood flooring called engineered wood floor which is made from wood, together with Plywood and MDF. This makes the floor immune to temperature changes because while the core remains wood, it is mixed with materials which are impervious by the temperature.

How to decide between them?
Both solid and engineered look 100% the same. Your decision should be based around the particular circumstances of where the floor is placed.
Different Wood Species:
Both types of floor contain real wood. Solid flooring contain 100% wood, while engineered flooring contains slightly less. The wood which is used has to tick three boxes to become suitable.

It has to be durable so to offer up to 30 years of use, it has to be affordable so it will fit most budgets and it has to be available from sustainable forests to meet international policies and consumer demand for ethically sourced woods.

The two most popular wood species and two which tick all the right boxes are Oak and Walnut. These are wood species and sub-species which are plentiful from South to North America.
Wood Flooring Coating
The 3rd and last considerations when sourcing wood flooring is the type of coating which is used. The coat has two roles in reality, one practical and one visual.

With its practical hat on, the coat is used to seal and wood and protect it from minor damage. With its visual hat on, the coat gives the floor that lovely shine and can be pained to color match the floor to an interior decor style.
Guide contributed by oak flooring seller, Wood and Beyond. A web based vendor of solid wood floors and Engineered Wood Floors.
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