Flooring choices can significantly influence the aesthetic and functionality of a space. Among the many options available, wood has consistently remained a preferred choice for its timeless appeal and versatility. But what truly constitutes ‘wood flooring’? Broadly, it’s categorised into two types: genuine wood sources, like solid and engineered wood, and artificial wood-look alternatives such as laminate and luxury vinyl flooring. Deciphering the nuances of these categories is crucial to ensure an informed and sustainable decision helping you understand which type of wood flooring is the best.
Types of Real Wood Flooring
Solid Wood Flooring: An age-old classic, solid wood flooring is crafted from a single piece of timber and nothing else. The charm lies in its authenticity. As it ages, its grain and colour deepen, giving it unparalleled character. Oak, walnut, and cherry are among the popular choices, but exotic variants like teak or mahogany have their own dedicated following.
Engineered Wood Flooring: This is modern engineering meeting traditional aesthetics. Engineered wood consists of a genuine wood veneer atop multiple layers of plywood, MDF and softwood. This multilayered approach ensures stability, particularly under fluctuating temperature and humidity, making it ideal for regions with seasonal changes as well as for areas that are off limits to solid wood, like over underfloor heating or in high humidity areas like the bathroom.
Types of Artificial Wood Look Flooring
Laminate Flooring: Evolving rapidly in the flooring industry, laminate offers the look of wood without the hefty price tag. Comprising multiple layers, its top layer is a high-resolution photographic image of real wood, coated with a protective overlay. This ensures both aesthetic appeal and durability. The core layer, typically made from high-density fibreboard, provides structure and stability.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVT): An innovation in flooring, LVT offers the best of both worlds – durability and aesthetics. Made primarily from PVC vinyl, modern printing technology enables it to mimic the wood’s intricate patterns and textures. Its resilience to moisture makes it a favourite in areas prone to spills or dampness. Unlike solid, engineered and laminate flooring, you can source luxury vinyl flooring in the form of tile and plank.
Pros and Cons of Every Wood Flooring Type
Type | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Solid Wood Flooring | – Authentic look – Increases in value over time – Can be sanded and refinished multiple times | – Sensitive to moisture and temperature changes – Requires regular maintenance – Higher upfront cost |
Engineered Wood Flooring | – Dimensional stability – Suitable for underfloor heating – Authentic wood layer gives genuine wood feel | – Quality varies significantly between brands – Some varieties cannot be refinished more than once (such as 2mm wear layer engineered wood flooring) |
Laminate Flooring | – Highly resistant to scratches and dents – Cost-effective – Wide variety of designs available | – Feels less authentic underfoot – Cannot be refinished – Susceptible to water damage |
Luxury Vinyl Flooring | – Highly water-resistant – Comfortable underfoot – Resistant to dents and stains | – Can feel less premium compared to real wood – Quality varies by brand – Some examples are close to engineered wood flooring prices |
How To Choose
Bathroom: The omnipresent moisture means solid wood is a no-go. LVT, with its water-resistant properties, is ideal. Engineered wood, treated for moisture resistance and thick lacquered finish, can also be considered but requires diligent maintenance.
Kitchen: A hub of activity, kitchens witness frequent spills and footfall. Engineered wood and LVT stand out for their durability and easy maintenance.
Lounge, Bedroom, Dining Room: These areas are often sanctuaries of comfort. The tactile warmth and richness of solid or engineered wood add to the ambiance, although underlay quality plays a pivotal role in comfort.
High Traffic Areas: Think hallways or commercial spaces. Resilience is key. Laminate, known for its hard-wearing nature, and LVT, celebrated for its durability and ease of replacement, are top choices.
Underfloor Heating: The fluctuating temperatures demand stability. Engineered wood is the top contender, designed to withstand such variations without warping. Luxury vinyl flooring is also a suitable contender.
Rarely Used Areas: Low traffic areas such as the utility room, guest room and cloakroom can easily do with any of the four types, with laminate making most commercial sense.
Price Consideration
Money matters, and flooring can be a significant investment:
- Solid Wood Flooring: Premium in every sense, it starts from around £60/m^2, though exotic woods can drive the price higher. Lifespan can each 100 years or more.
- Engineered Wood Flooring: A fusion of tradition and technology, it’s priced from around £30/m^2. The wood veneer’s quality and thickness can influence the cost. 15mm boards with at least 4mm layer of real wood can have a lifespan of 50 years or longer.
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring: Combining resilience with aesthetics, it begins at approximately £20/m^2. You can expect around 25 years service life with premium examples, particularity those with 0.7mm wear layer.
- Laminate Flooring: The most pocket-friendly, it starts from a mere £10/m^2, with price often reflecting thickness and wear layer quality. Of the four types, laminate has the shortest durability and service life is often not exceeding 15 years.
What’s the Best Type?
“Best” is subjective. While factors like design outcome, budget, ease of installation, and personal preferences remain paramount, industry trends offer valuable insights. Currently, engineered wood is eclipsing other real wood options for its adaptability and affordability. Among wood-effect alternatives, LVT is surging ahead, owed largely to its unparalleled versatility and performance. It is also common to see projects where two or more types of wood flooring are fitted, for example, engineered wood flooring popular areas (hall, dining room, living room etc) and laminate in less popular areas (guest room for example),
Conclusion
Navigating the world of wood flooring is a journey of both aesthetics and pragmatism. Whether swayed by the organic allure of solid wood or the pragmatic benefits of LVT, arming oneself with knowledge ensures that the flooring chosen doesn’t just elevate the space’s beauty but also aligns with its functional demands, serving faithfully for years to come.
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FAQ
What Is Real Wood Flooring?
Real wood flooring refers to flooring types that are made from genuine wood sources. It is categorised into two main types: solid wood flooring, which is crafted from a single piece of timber, and engineered wood flooring, which consists of a genuine wood veneer atop multiple layers of plywood, MDF, and softwood.
How Does LVT Compare To Laminate Flooring In Price?
Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVT) is priced starting from approximately £20/m^2. In comparison, laminate flooring, which is more pocket-friendly, starts from around £10/m^2.
What’s the Best Flooring For a Guest Room?
Low traffic areas such as the guest room can easily accommodate all flooring types. Laminate makes the most commercial sense for such rarely used areas, given its cost-effectiveness.
Which Flooring Are Suitable With Underfloor Heating?
The fluctuating temperatures from underfloor heating demand stability. Engineered wood flooring is the top contender for such settings, designed to withstand temperature variations without warping. Luxury vinyl flooring (LVT) is also a suitable choice for underfloor heating.
What Are the Disadvantages of Laminate Flooring?
The disadvantages of laminate flooring include its less authentic feel underfoot, the inability to be refinished, and its susceptibility to water damage. Additionally, laminate durability is short with a service life often not exceeding 15 years.