If you’re reading this article, the chances are you’re venturing into the world of buying wood flooring for the very first time, or perhaps you’ve done so already and didn’t consider all the elements of the decision as much as you should have? Either way, in this blog post, we’ll guide you through the essential elements of styles of wood flooring that you need to know about in order to make the right decisions. And at the end of the day, if you’re still feeling confused in any way, we’re here to help you make the right decisions about what to choose – so don’t worry! Here are the key questions you should be looking to answer:
The first question: solid or engineered?
This is fundamental to every wood flooring project. Many people confuse engineered wood flooring with the likes of laminates and, as any regular reader of this blog will know, they couldn’t be further from the truth. Engineered wood flooring is a really clever construction of layers and layers of ply that are topped off with solid wood. With a finished board that looks just like solid wood flooring, engineered wood flooring has several unique advantages.
When you choose engineered wood flooring you have the same range of choices when it comes to species, colour, grade, finish and style, but you get another key benefit. That benefit is that engineered wood flooring doesn’t respond to heat and moisture in the same way as solid wood.
The way engineered wood flooring is constructed means that it doesn’t expand and contract to nearly the same extent as solid wood when temperatures or moisture levels rise or fall. What this means is that you can install engineered wood flooring in rooms where solid wood flooring normally wouldn’t be recommended, for example, in bathrooms and kitchens or where you have under floor heating. Solid wood on the other hand is still a really attractive flooring solution and is ideal for areas of the home where there are no such restrictions.
Colour
When you buy wood flooring today, the world really is your oyster when it comes to colour. From brilliant white to jet black, and pretty much everything in between, you’ll be spoilt for choice. With different treatments and effects creating alterations in the colour of the wood, there are some really stunning options on the market today. So, no matter whether you want to create a sun-kissed, white-wash look, a modern steely grey effect, a classic brown or a stylish black backdrop, it’s all possible. The main thing to bear in mind when you’re choosing the colour for your wood floor is to choose for the long term. Don’t be tempted to choose a high-fashion solution just because it’s high fashion. Take into consideration your long term plans for your home and choose accordingly. That way you have a great look now and in the years to come.
Grade
When wood is lumbered, it’s graded into one of four categories: prime, select, natural and rustic. Going from prime to rustic, generally speaking the price goes down but this doesn’t mean that you get a less attractive or less appealing floor for your money. On the contrary, in the right room, a rustic grade floor can look a whole lot better than a prime grade floor and vice versa. It’s just that you need to understand the differences and choose the grade that will work best for your project. Generally speaking, the more formal the setting, the better a prime grade solution will work and the more relaxed, the more likely a rustic grade will suit. That said, this isn’t always the case and the secret is to seek advice from people who’ve got lots of experience because sometimes the solution that will work best isn’t the most obvious (or indeed the most expensive!).
Finish
Oiled, brushed and oiled, aged, reclaimed, tea stained, distressed, lacquered, smoked, coffee treated…these are all terms that you need to (at least) be aware of when you’re in the market for a new wood floor. If you’ve just read this list and are looking completely bewildered, it’s time to learn the language of wood flooring.
Without the right vocabulary, your wood floor buying process will be like getting off a plane in a foreign country and trying to track down your favourite food or find the car hire company! If you don’t know what these terms mean, take time to browse our website and you’ll be able to see examples of all of these types of finish. Then, when you find one that you think might work for you, you can order a free sample so you can see it up close and in real life. While choosing the right finish for the style of wood flooring you want isn’t necessarily complex, it can be bewildering, so don’t try and go it alone – again, we’re here to help!
Style
Once you’ve made decisions on each of the above, you could then give some thought to whether you want a standard plank wooden floor or whether a chevron or herringbone style would suit your interior better. Chevron wood flooring is immediately recognizable by its ‘v’ shape and herringbone flooring, not surprisingly is reminiscent of fishbones in its style. Rather than boards which are laid alongside each other, chevron and herringbone floors are laid to look as if the boards have been laid at 45-degree angles to each other – either in a regular or staggered pattern. And the great news is that by choosing engineered chevron or herringbone style flooring you can save yourself a whole lot of hassle because the boards come with the pattern already established. You can see our range of chevron wood flooring here and herringbone wood flooring.
A great way of finding the right wood flooring for you is looking closely at styles of wood flooring wherever you go. Once you get on the wood flooring radar, you’ll be surprised at how many styles you can spot, even when you’re just going about your daily life. Shops, restaurants, friends and family’s homes, schools, offices…you’ll see them everywhere. In the run up to making your purchase, use your mobile phone to take snaps of flooring elements you like and build up a picture of what it is that you want from your wood floor so that when you come to buy, you have a clear picture in your mind and are confident that you’re making the right decisions.
Get help
If you’re venturing into the world of buying wood flooring for the first time and you’re finding it all a bit overwhelming, why not get in touch? Even if you’re almost there, but still have some little, niggly doubts, we can help. We’ve got decades of wood flooring experience across the team at Wood and Beyond and we’re here to help you make sure you make the right decisions for your unique project.
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FAQ
Question 1: What is the primary difference between solid and engineered wood flooring?
Answer: The primary difference lies in their construction and their reaction to heat and moisture. Engineered wood flooring is composed of layers of ply topped off with solid wood and doesn’t respond to heat and moisture like solid wood. It doesn’t expand and contract to the same extent as solid wood when temperatures or moisture levels change. This means that it can be installed in rooms where solid wood flooring wouldn’t be recommended, like bathrooms, kitchens, or rooms with underfloor heating. Solid wood, however, is an attractive flooring solution and is perfect for areas of the home without these restrictions.
Question 2: What should one consider when choosing the colour for their wood floor?
Answer: One should consider their long-term plans for the home when choosing the colour of the wood floor. Instead of being tempted by high-fashion solutions, it’s important to choose a colour that will look good now and in the future.
Question 3: How is wood graded and what does each grade imply?
Answer: Wood is graded into one of four categories when it’s lumbered: prime, select, natural, and rustic. From prime to rustic, the price generally decreases, but that doesn’t mean the floor’s appeal or attractiveness is reduced. The choice of grade depends on the setting – a more formal setting may suit a prime grade solution, while a relaxed setting might suit a rustic grade.
Question 4: What should one be aware of when selecting the finish of the wood floor?
Answer: One should be familiar with the terminology of wood flooring finishes like oiled, brushed and oiled, aged, reclaimed, tea stained, distressed, lacquered, smoked, coffee treated, etc. Understanding these terms will aid in selecting the finish that suits their taste and home decor.
Question 5: What are some popular styles of wood flooring?
Answer: Apart from the standard plank wooden floor, chevron or herringbone styles are quite popular. Chevron wood flooring is identified by its ‘v’ shape, while herringbone flooring is reminiscent of fishbones in style. The boards of these styles are laid at 45-degree angles to each other, in a regular or staggered pattern.