Different Types of Solid Wood Flooring

If you’ve decided that solid wood flooring is the best option for your project, it’s highly likely that you’re at the exciting stage of deciding which solid wood flooring might be best.  There are loads of different types of solid wood flooring and which you choose will be largely down to personal taste.  That said, there are several deciding factors that’ll help you narrow down which option might work best for you.

Solid wood flooring, as the name suggests, is made from solid planks of a single species of wood.  You know exactly what you’re getting when you buy solid wood flooring, because it does exactly what it says on the tin – if the tin is marked “oak” then what you get is “oak”!

When you choose solid wood flooring you’ll need to think about:

The species of wood you want.

There are literally thousands of species of wood in the world and in fact some wood experts suggest that there are more than 100,000 different species.  That said when it comes to flooring, the most popular option is oak.  The reason for this is that oak is an extremely strong and versatile wood.  The most common types of oak flooring used in this country are American Oak and European Oak.  While each of these woods have their own unique characteristics, it is logical that most people in the UK opt for European Oak on the basis that it hasn’t travelled as far.  That said, American Oak is the preference for people seeking wood that is naturally extremely light, because of the white oak that’s found in North America.

The grade of wood you want.

Wood is a completely natural product and as such has characteristics that make every plank unique.  When wood is lumbered, it is classified into one of four different grades according to how it looks.  The grades of wood are: Prime, Select, Natural and Rustic.  Prime grade solid wood flooring has only a very small number of small knots, a highly consistent colour and very little sap.  As you move down the list of grades, the size and number of knots in the wood increases, as does the colour inconsistency and the amount of sap.  All of that said, this doesn’t mean that rustic grade solid wood flooring isn’t beautiful; it just means that it has a different look.  If you’re looking for a casual or country look, rustic grade solid wood can be even more appealing than prime wood, so don’t assume that knots, colour variation and sap are necessarily negatives.  Also, don’t forget that as you work down the grading list, the price reduces accordingly, so there are real benefits of shopping with an open mind.

The finish you want for your floor.

When you invest in a new solid wood floor, it’s really important that you choose the finish that best suits your lifestyle as well as your personal preferences.  There’s no point in choosing a finish that’s intended for light traffic if you have 3 children, 2 dogs and a cat or two!  So, when you choose your finish, think about the amount of footfall your room is likely to have, as well as the look you’re hoping to achieve.  If you like a nice shine on your floor, there’s no doubt that a lacquered finish is the best option, whereas if it’s a natural, matt look that floats your boat, then either a straight oiled, or a brushed and oiled look will win hands down.  Brushing solid wood flooring opens up the grain of the wood and enables the real beauty of the wood to shine through.  Other finishes, such as distressing, ageing and whitewashing are extremely popular and well worth exploring too, as are finishes that have a UV filter.

The colour you’d like.

Solid and engineered wood flooring seems to be falling into one of two or three very specific colour camps at the moment.  It either has to be light and airy, nice and neutral, or dark and dreamy.  Either way, whether you select a solid wood option that has retained its natural colour or has had its colour enhanced, you can rest assured that the product you’ve chosen is natural, long lasting and will stay looking great for many, many years to come.

Although there are many different types of solid wood flooring on the market, the important thing is not to become overwhelmed by the choice and remember that your supplier is there to help.  If you have a specific look or colour of solid wood flooring in mind when you’re doing your research, a good supplier should be able to provide you with a range of options to meet your needs, helping point you in the right direction.  You can always contact us for advice of course ;).