If you’re like so many other people at the moment and you and your family are in the position where you need more space in your home, then the chances are you’re either thinking about, or have already moved up into your loft or attic, down into your cellar or out into your garden. Loft and attic conversions are particularly popular at the moment because they don’t eat up your outside space and they don’t have the same risk of dampness as cellar conversions. Depending on your neighbourhood and the size and height of your loft or attic, you can create some seriously stunning living space by rising up into the roof space of your home.
Irrespective of whether you’re seeking more sleeping space for you or your kids; or space for a home office, extending your home into your loft or attic won’t only increase the value of your property, but it’ll make life more comfortable for you too if you plan it correctly. When it comes to planning, there are plenty of things to think about. Getting the professionals in with any project of this size and complexity is pretty much essential and assuming you’re at the stage of finishing touches, we’ve put together this article to help you decide which wood flooring might work best.
One of the first things to take into consideration when deciding on your flooring is the amount of light and heat your loft conversion gets. If your loft is like most and suffers from rising and falling temperatures, there’s no getting away from the fact that engineered wood flooring is your best option. Engineered flooring is the perfect flooring option for any room in the home where temperature and, or moisture levels fluctuate substantially. The reason for this is that engineered wood flooring doesn’t expand and contract to the same extent as solid wood.
When solid wood flooring comes face-to-face with rising and falling temperature and moisture levels, it expands and contracts more than it ideally should do. Excessive expansion and contraction can lead to cupping, bowing and excessive gaps in your floor, all of which ultimately shorten the life of the floor and spoil its look. In loft conversions, insulation commonly isn’t all it should be and as a result, the room suffers from significant temperature differences, both within each day and season to season. Add to this, the fact that heat is likely to rise into the loft from other parts of the home, and it’s easy to see how many temperature challenges this space has to deal with.
What’s more, loft conversions often have an abundance of natural light which adds to the attraction of engineered wood flooring’s stability (because with the light comes heat). The way engineered flooring boards are constructed means that they can withstand rises and falls in temperature as well as humidity much more effectively than solid wood. This is because they have a really stable and strong core board, on which a solid, normally oak, lamella or top layer is bonded. Once you have this ‘sandwich’ type of construction in place, you end up with boards that’ll hardly expand and contract at all, which means that your floor will stay looking good even in challenging conditions.
When it comes to choosing which engineered wood flooring would best suit your loft conversion, the best option for you really comes down to personal taste. There is any number of engineered flooring options that could suit, and what you choose depends entirely on the look you’re hoping to create, as well as your budget.
At the end of the day, much of your decision-making process will be based around the use of the room and the final look you want to create, but one thing’s for sure, by plumping for one of our top quality engineered wood flooring options, you’ll have a great looking floor for a very long time.
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FAQ
Why are loft and attic conversions popular?
Loft and attic conversions are popular because they don’t consume outside space and they don’t carry the same risk of dampness as cellar conversions. They can create stunning living spaces, providing additional room for sleeping, a home office, or other purposes.
What type of flooring is best for loft or attic conversions?
Engineered wood flooring is the best option for loft or attic conversions. These spaces often experience rising and falling temperatures, and engineered flooring can withstand these fluctuations better than solid wood flooring.
What issues can solid wood flooring face in loft conversions?
Solid wood flooring can suffer from excessive expansion and contraction in response to significant temperature and moisture fluctuations. This can lead to cupping, bowing, and excessive gaps in the floor, which can shorten the lifespan of the floor and spoil its look.
Why does engineered wood flooring suit loft conversions?
Engineered flooring boards are constructed in a way that allows them to withstand rises and falls in temperature and humidity more effectively than solid wood. This is due to their stable and strong core board, which has a solid top layer bonded to it. This construction results in minimal expansion and contraction, keeping the floor looking good even in challenging conditions.
How should I choose the right engineered wood flooring for my loft conversion?
The choice of engineered wood flooring for your loft conversion comes down to personal taste, the intended use of the room, the desired final look, and your budget.