When looking for wood flooring options, most people tend to think along the lines of oak, pine or walnut, but there are plenty of other solutions out there. Irrespective of whether you plump for an exotic wood or something that hails from closer to home, you know with wood flooring you are making a good investment. So when it comes to looking outside of the ordinary, what are the options? You could look to the exotic woods such as ipe, African wenge, cumaru or Brazilian cherry, or you may want to consider the likes of larch.
Larches are a bit of a confusing sort of tree. Although they are conifers, they lose their leaves in the autumn. Typically growing to a size of between 20 and 45 metres, they are to be found in the cooler areas of the northern hemisphere. Equally at home on lowlands and mountains, larch is really common in Russia and Canada.
Larch wood is recognised for being particularly durable and waterproof and as a result is quite often used in boatbuilding and for outdoor projects like fencing and cladding. That said, because of its strength and durability, larch wood is ideally suited for the production of wood flooring. Available in both engineered and solid wood options, larch wood flooring isn’t all that commonly available, yet is a popular choice and as a result is likely to become more widely available. When you can track it down, it’s normally available in a whole host of colours and finish options. What’s more, larch wood flooring will enhance pretty much any room in the home and can be used in both traditional and modern settings.
Irrespective of which room in the home you’re looking to re-floor, larch is a great option. However, if you’re planning a project in your bathroom or kitchen, it’s best to opt for engineered larch wood flooring because it will stand up to the heat and moisture changes experienced in these rooms, but in the other rooms of the home, either engineered or solid wood are suitable. One of the main advantages of larch is that it’s really tough, making it ideal for rooms where traffic, footfall and wear and tear are likely to be high. Typically tougher than pine, larch is also affordable, which increases its popularity.
Add to all of this, the fact that larch wood flooring comes in a whole host of colours and you begin to see why more and more people are becoming interested in this option. Ranging from almost white to a rich dark brown, larch typically has a nice, visible grain and often boasts significant colour variation, which makes it very appealing. Like all wood flooring, larch comes in a range of finishes. So, if you’re looking for a really natural look you could plump for an oiled finish, or if you’re worried about wear and tear a lacquered finish is likely to be best. After that, there are plenty of effects to choose from, such as brushing, whitewashing and ageing.
