Your decision to install genuine wood flooring in your home or business today presents a wide array of options to choose from. These options range from affordable variants to suit various budgets, to high-end choices for those seeking an exceptional touch. This guide explores these choices from the least costly to the most expensive, delving into what factors contribute to the final price.
Wood Flooring Types: From Least Expensive to Most Expensive
Engineered wood flooring option is the cheaper of the two
Genuine wood flooring manifests in two distinct forms: solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring. Both types are visually identical once installed and are made of authentic wood, though to differing degrees. Solid wood flooring consists of floorboards made from 100% natural wood, such as Oak and Walnut. Conversely, engineered wood flooring features natural wood, but only in its top layer, which typically spans 2mm to 5mm. Beneath this layer lies a man-made core comprised of plywood and MDF. Engineered wood flooring, owing to the use of supplemental materials, is the more affordable option between the two. Conversely, the use of 100% authentic wood in solid wood flooring makes it the pricier choice.
Consequently, the cheapest option currently is engineered wood flooring, while the costliest is solid wood flooring.
Wood Flooring Styles: From Least Expensive to Most Expensive
Herringbone wood flooring are the most expensive style
Both solid and engineered wood flooring are available in three distinctive styles that influence their price. Many buyers opt for the plank style, though pricier styles exist. These include herringbone and chevron styles, often referred to as parquet. The quality between plank, herringbone, or chevron style remains constant; however, the additional craftsmanship involved in creating herringbone or chevron floorboards renders them more expensive.
At this point, the cheaper option is the engineered wood flooring in plank style, while the costliest is the solid wood flooring in herringbone style.
Wood Flooring Thickness: From Least Expensive to Most Expensive
The 10/2mm engineered wood flooring is the least expensive
The quantity of material used in constructing the floorboard directly impacts its price. Solid wood flooring typically measures between 16mm and 20mm in thickness, making the 20mm option more expensive. In contrast, engineered wood flooring usually ranges from 10mm to 20mm in thickness with a 2mm to 5mm thick top layer of wood. For instance, an engineered wood flooring specification of 10/2mm indicates an overall board thickness of 10mm, with a top layer of real wood 2mm thick. The thickness of the floorboard, be it solid or engineered, determines how frequently the board can be sanded and recoated – a process that revitalizes the flooring. Sanding removes a 1mm layer of wood; hence, 20mm solid wood flooring can be sanded several times over its lifespan, while 10/2mm engineered wood flooring (with a 2mm real wood layer) can only be sanded once or twice at most. The most affordable option remains engineered wood flooring types of 10/2mm, 12/2mm to 15/4mm, while the priciest is the solid wood flooring type of 18mm and 20mm thickness.
Currently, the cheapest option is the engineered wood flooring in plank style and 10mm thickness, while the most expensive is the solid wood flooring in herringbone style and 20mm thickness.
Wood Flooring Grades: From Least Expensive to Most Expensive
Natural grade offers a balance between looks and cost
Though both solid and engineered wood flooring incorporate real wood, the degree varies, as explained. In terms of wood flooring, the wood is graded based on its appearance. Features considered during grading typically include the number and size of knots, sap content in the wood, and colour variations. Generally, smaller knots, lower sap content, and more uniform colour indicate a higher grade of wood and consequently, a higher price. The highest and priciest grade is the prime grade, while at the other end of the spectrum, the rustic grade is the cheapest. Mid-range cost-effective options include the select and natural grades.
At this juncture, the most affordable option is the engineered wood flooring in plank style, 10mm thickness, and rustic grade. Conversely, the costliest is the solid wood flooring in herringbone style, 20mm thickness, and prime grade.
Other Considerations: From Least Expensive to Most Expensive
Natural brown wood flooring shades are often less expensive vs coloured options
Additional factors, albeit to a lesser extent, can influence the price, including the finish and colour of the wood flooring. Available finishes include oil, lacquered, varnish, and wax. Each finish has its own advantages and disadvantages, and while it may affect the price, the impact is not substantial. colour may also affect the price. Wood in its natural state is medium brown, but you can find wood flooring in black, white, and grey hues. coloured wood flooring may carry a higher price due to the techniques involved in colouring the planks.
Cost-Effective Wood Flooring Options
| Cheapest | Mid-range | Most Expensive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Engineered | Engineered | Solid |
| Style | Plank | Plank | Herringbone |
| Thickness | 10mm | 15/4mm | 20mm |
| Wood Grade | Rustic | Natural | Prime |
| Finish | Oil | Varnish | Lacquered |
| Colour | Natural Brown | Medium Brown | Grey/Black/White |
If you are seeking a balance between aesthetics and quality, engineered wood flooring in plank style would serve you well. Opt for a thickness of 15/4mm in natural grade and choose the natural wood flooring colour to keep costs down.
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FAQ
What is the cheapest type of wood flooring?
Engineered wood flooring is the most affordable type of wood flooring. This is because it uses a top layer of natural wood, typically spanning 2mm to 5mm, with a man-made core comprised of plywood and MDF.
Which wood flooring style is the most affordable?
Among the distinctive styles available for both solid and engineered wood flooring, the plank style is the most affordable. This is in contrast to herringbone and chevron styles, often referred to as parquet, which require additional craftsmanship, making them more expensive.
How does the thickness of wood flooring affect its cost?
The quantity of material used in constructing the floorboard directly impacts its price. Engineered wood flooring usually ranges from 10mm to 20mm in thickness with a 2mm to 5mm thick top layer of wood, making it the more affordable option compared to solid wood flooring that typically measures between 16mm and 20mm in thickness.
What is the impact of wood grading on flooring costs?
The wood used in flooring is graded based on its appearance, which includes factors such as the number and size of knots, sap content, and colour variations. The higher the grade of the wood (meaning smaller knots, lower sap content, and more uniform colour), the higher the price. Therefore, the cheapest wood grade is rustic, which typically shows more natural characteristics of the wood.
What additional factors affect the cost of wood flooring?
Additional factors that can influence the price of wood flooring include the finish and the colour of the wood. Finishes such as oil, lacquered, varnish, and wax have their own advantages and disadvantages, and while they may affect the price, the impact is not substantial. The colour of the wood can also affect the price, with coloured wood flooring potentially carrying a higher price due to the techniques involved in colouring the planks.
