There was a time recently when engineered wood floors were outselling solid wood floors by quite a margin. Recently that gap has closed up significantly and solid wood has come back to the fore. At Wood and Beyond, although we’re still huge fans of engineered wood flooring, and always will be, we’ve seen a real increase in demand for solid wood floors again recently. And when you see some of the options that are available nowadays, it’s easy to see why.
If you’re debating between solid and engineered wood flooring, we want to help. If you’re wondering what it is that makes solid oak flooring such a timeless and incredibly popular choice, we want to share our view.
Here’s why we believe that solid oak floor boards are so incredibly popular right now and why they will (more than likely) never go out of fashion:
Their unmistaken real wood look
Although engineered wood flooring looks just like solid wood, there is something about solid wood that is pretty much immediately recognisable. At the end of the day, solid oak floors are made of solid oak and that alone. There is something that is completely unmistakable about real wood – the knots, the depth of the grain, the immaculate colouration, and while the solid wood top layer on engineered wood looks the same, there is just something about knowing that your solid wood goes right to the core.
Their strength and durability
Oak is an incredibly strong and durable material; in fact, so much is it synonymous with strength that companies often use it in their logo to reflect this. When you choose a solid oak floor, you can confidently be certain that the wood floor will stand up to the wear and tear of even the busiest home without batting an eyelid.
The fact that they’re a long term investment
When you choose a solid oak floor, you know you’re choosing a solution that’ll last. You only need to look around at homes that were built in the late 1800s or early 1900s to see how long term the investment in a solid oak floor is. When you see houses that are decades or even centuries old and they still have their original floors in place, that’s living proof that solid oak flooring is one of the best flooring investments you can make. Even modern day solid oak floors will last over 100 years if you treat them with the love, care and attention they deserve.
They can be easily sanded / refinished
Wood flooring is one of the only flooring solutions that you can bring back to new several times over. When a wood floor gets really tired, you have the peace of mind of knowing that you can re-sand it and re-finish it, bringing it back to its former glory every time. Although you can re-sand and re-finish engineered oak floors, you are restricted on how much you can do so by the thickness of the top layer or lamella. While it’s not a good idea to re-sand and re-finish even a solid oak floor too often, with a solid oak option you have more freedom to do so, more often. This is great peace of mind, particularly if you’re someone who has high or heavy footfall in your home.
They add value to your home
Solid oak floors are highly sought after, there’s no getting away from that. A house that has stunning, solid oak floor will stand out head and shoulders above a house that has shabby carpets or laminate. What this means is that when you invest in solid oak flooring, not only do you get to enjoy a top-end, luxury product, you know it will help you sell your house when the day comes as well. That’s what we call win-win.
solid oak flooring can increase the acoustics in a room. While acoustics is something that you might want to reduce from time to time, by introducing rugs and curtains in a room, if you are flooring a room where you want great sound, then a solid oak floor is a great solution. That’s why you see them in dance studios and music halls 😉
If you’re busy debating between engineered and solid oak flooring, why not reach out and let us help? At Wood and Beyond we’ll work with you to make the very best decisions for your budget, project and plans.
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FAQ
What distinguishes the look of solid oak flooring?
The unmistakable real wood look distinguishes solid oak flooring. Although engineered wood flooring mimics the appearance of solid wood, there’s an immediate recognizability about solid wood. The knots, depth of grain, and coloration of solid oak floors are unique, providing a completely unmistakable real wood aesthetic.
What makes solid oak flooring durable?
Oak is an incredibly strong and resilient material. Solid oak flooring is known for its durability and its ability to withstand the wear and tear of even the busiest homes. This inherent strength makes it an excellent choice for flooring.
Why is solid oak flooring considered a long-term investment?
Solid oak flooring is a long-term investment because of its durability and longevity. There are homes built in the late 1800s or early 1900s that still have their original solid oak floors, demonstrating the long-lasting nature of this flooring option. Modern solid oak floors can last over 100 years if properly cared for.
Can solid oak floors be easily refinished?
Yes, solid oak floors can be easily sanded and refinished. This allows homeowners to restore tired-looking floors to their former glory. While both engineered and solid oak floors can be refinished, the solid oak option provides more freedom to do so more often, especially useful in homes with high or heavy footfall.
How does solid oak flooring add value to the home?
Solid oak floors are highly sought after and add significant value to homes. Homes with stunning, solid oak floors typically stand out more than homes with carpets or laminate. This means that investing in solid oak flooring not only provides a top-end, luxury product but also aids in selling your house when the time comes.