Barn Grade Wood Flooring Types

Barn grade wood flooring is a great way of achieving a super look without breaking the bank.  Barn grade is another name for rustic wood flooring and this grade of flooring is available in both solid wood and engineered wood options.  What this means is that no matter where in your home you want to fit barn grade flooring, even if you have under floor heating, it’s possible.

When wood is lumbered it is sorted according to its look into one of four different grades.  The grades of wood are: prime, select, natural and rustic.  As any regular reader of this blog will know, the look of each of these grades of wood has its own characteristics.  Prime grade is the highest grade of wood and comes with almost perfect uniformity and only a few small knots.  Barn grade wood on the other hand is the lowest grade, but this shouldn’t be viewed as a negative.  Barn, or rustic grade wood features chunky knots and can vary in colour significantly, but in the right interior setting, this can look great.  And, as we’ve mentioned already, the cost of barn or rustic grade wood is also what makes it so very appealing.

Solid or engineered barn grade wood flooring?

Barn grade wood is available in both solid and engineered versions, which means that there is a barn grade solution for every room in the home.  Solid wood flooring is perfect for pretty much any room in the home apart from bathrooms and kitchens because of the temperature and humidity fluctuations these rooms experience.  It is for this reason, if you’re seeking to fit wood flooring in a bathroom or kitchen you should choose engineered wood flooring.  The way engineered wood flooring is constructed means that it doesn’t expand and contract to the same extent as solid wood flooring.  This means that it won’t warp, cup or bow even with some pretty extreme fluctuations.  It is also for this reason that you should choose engineered wood flooring if you have under floor heating.

Choosing the colour of your barn grade flooring

Both engineered and solid wood flooring are available in a whole host of colours these days.  What this means is that you can choose either a highly conservative, natural colour palette or let your imagination go wild, all within the barn grade options. If you’re seeking a classic look for your home, then the chances are you’ll stick with natural wood shades and colours.  If you have a large home, you might choose to mix and match from the natural spectrum of colours moving from room to room.  Alternatively, if your house is fairly modest in size, it might be a better idea to stick with one colour throughout.

If your goal is to create a modern look, then whites, greys or blacks are more than likely to float your boat.  Creating a monochrome look with barn grade flooring is easy and choosing either a fresh and bright white look or going for a black, designer style is possible.

Choosing the right finish for your barn grade wood floor

Irrespective of whether you choose a solid or engineered wood floor and no matter the colour you choose, it’s a good idea to invest some time choosing the right finish.  If you want a natural look, then a brushed, oiled finish is hard to beat.  However, if you need a really hardwearing and resilient finish, then a lacquer is probably going to work out as the best option.  If you’re unsure about the finish you want for your floor, then choosing an unfinished barn grade solution gives you complete flexibility to finish the floor in whichever way you think best once it’s in situ.

Choosing the right species for your barn grade wood floor

Oak and walnut are two of the most popular species of wood floor and each is available in barn grade.  Walnut is a really durable wood and is dark in colour, often appearing almost black.  That said, close up, it is the contrast of light and dark in walnut wood flooring that makes it so appealing.  Oak typically ranges in colour from dark tones to very blonde and boasts a very pronounced grain, which is even more pronounced in barn grade wood than the higher grades of wood.

If you’d like help to choose the right barn grade wood flooring for your project, don’t hesitate to get in touch.  At Wood and Beyond, we’re always happy to provide professional, impartial help to make sure you make the right decision for your project.