Landings are often thought of just as the turning point on a staircase where there may be a toilet or at least enough space to take a decent break, but landing rooms also include hallways, both at ground and upper floor levels. Irrespective of whether your landing is mid-staircase, behind your front door, or in front of all your bedrooms, choosing the right flooring is essential.
Why is landing flooring more important than any other room, I hear you ask? The response to that is all about footfall and traffic. There’s no getting away from the fact that landings and hallways have to put up with an awful lot of wear and tear, and it’s important that you bear this in mind when you choose your flooring and flooring finish.
Making the choice between engineered and solid wood flooring
In theory, either engineered or solid wood flooring is suited for use in landings and hallways, unless you have under floor heating. If you have under floor heating, you’ll need to plump for suitable engineered wood flooring. The reason for this is that most solid wood floor simply won’t stand up to the rise and fall of temperature caused by the heating without getting damaged. Engineered wood flooring, on the other hand, because of the way it is constructed, is much less susceptible to expansion and contraction than solid wood. That said, it’s essential that you check with either your flooring manufacturer or your flooring supplier that the option you’ve chosen is suitable for fitting over under floor heating.
Colour and species
So, assuming you can choose from either solid or engineered wood flooring, it’s well worth choosing a wood colour that’ll help hide the dust and grime brought into the house from the outdoors as well as the traffic, particularly in downstairs hallways. It’s logical to assume that a dark colour will always be your best friend when it comes to hiding the dirt, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes a blonde, or honey toned wood with a lacquered finish will disguise day-to-day dust and grime much better than a dark, matt coloured finish. That said, at the end of the day, it really is up to you to decide how much day-to-day maintenance you can put up with as well as the colour you want for your interior.
Getting the finish right
Finishes on wood flooring, irrespective of whether it’s engineered or solid wood, range from oiled at one end of the scale, to lacquered or varnished at the other. Oiled wood flooring has a natural, almost unfinished look to it, but is less hardwearing than lacquered or varnished wood flooring. If your floor is likely to have a tough time when it comes to wear and tear, there’s no getting away from the fact that a lacquered or varnished finish is likely to be your best option.
Solid vs engineered wood flooring for your landing
| Engineered Wood Flooring | Solid Wood Flooring | |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for underfloor heating | Yes, as engineered wood flooring is much less susceptible to expansion and contraction than solid wood. | No, as most solid wood floors won’t stand up to the rise and fall of temperature caused by the heating without damage. |
| Colour and Species | Can choose from a range of colors and species. Darker shades or blonde, honey-toned woods with a lacquered finish are ideal. | Same as engineered. Can choose from a range of colors and species. |
| Finish | Offers a range of finishes from oiled to lacquered or varnished. A lacquered or varnished finish is more durable. | Offers a range of finishes from oiled to lacquered or varnished. |
| Additional Protection | Can further protect the flooring by using high-quality doormats, rugs, and encouraging people to remove their shoes at the door. | Same as engineered. Can further protect the flooring by using high-quality doormats, rugs, and removing shoes. |
Other things you can do to protect your landing and hallway flooring
Here are 3 of our top tips to further protect your landing and hallway flooring from being damaged:
- Invest in a high quality doormat and encourage people to use it.
- Pop some rugs in your hall or on your landing to help protect the floor.
- If you can, encourage people to take off their shoes at the door.
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FAQ
Why is the flooring choice for landings important?
Choosing the right flooring for landings is crucial due to the high footfall and traffic these areas typically endure. They need to be durable enough to withstand wear and tear over time.
Can I use either engineered or solid wood flooring for landings?
Yes, you can use either engineered or solid wood flooring for landings. However, if you have under floor heating, engineered wood flooring is recommended due to its resistance to temperature-caused expansion and contraction.
What color should I choose for my landing or hallway flooring?
The color choice depends on your personal preference and how much daily maintenance you can handle. Some people prefer dark colors as they may appear to hide dirt better, while others find that honey-toned or blonde woods with a lacquered finish can disguise daily dust and grime more effectively.
Which finish is suitable for high-traffic areas like landings and hallways?
Finishes range from oiled to lacquered or varnished. Oiled wood flooring has a more natural, almost unfinished look but is less durable. For high-traffic areas, a lacquered or varnished finish tends to be a better option due to its greater resistance to wear and tear.
How can I further protect my landing and hallway flooring?
To further protect your landing and hallway flooring, you could invest in a high-quality doormat, use rugs to protect the floor, or encourage people to remove their shoes at the door.