Once thought of as a cold alternative to carpet, more and more people are realising that wood flooring for your bedroom isn’t only a stylish option, it’s also a healthy option that’s far from cold. No matter which interior mag or TV series you look at, you’ll see wood floors from wall to wall, with very few people opting for carpets these days. There are any number of reasons for this shift, but, apart from being a great looking solution, there is significant evidence to suggest that wood flooring, particularly in a bedroom is a seriously healthy option.
It’s a well-known fact that wood flooring is one of the preferred solutions for anyone who suffers from allergies or asthma and as a result, it makes complete sense to choose this option for the one room in your home where you’re likely to spend up to a third of your time! Not only will wood flooring in your bedroom mean that you won’t be exposed to the mites and germs that lurk in carpets, but it also means that you’ll have an easy maintenance routine when it comes time to do the housework.
The type of wood flooring you choose for your bedroom will depend on a number of factors, the most significant being whether or not there is any evidence of moisture in your bedroom and whether or not you have under floor heating. For any room in the home that suffers from either significant moisture or temperature fluctuations where you plan to install wooden floor it’s best to choose engineered flooring, rather than solid wood. The reason for this is that solid wood flooring, when it comes up against peaks and troughs of temperature and moisture changes, expands and contracts. While expansion and contraction is completely normal and natural for solid wood, and happens all the time, excess expansion and contraction can result in cupping and bowing of the boards as well as excess gaps, which give way to drafts and create dust traps.
Engineered wood flooring on the other hand doesn’t expand and contract to the same extent as solid wood and as such is ideal for any bedroom where there is likely to be significant temperature or moisture changes. While these conditions are somewhat unlikely in bedrooms, if your bedroom is subterranean or if you have an ensuite bathroom or shower room that isn’t ventilated as well as it might be, then you should definitely opt for engineered wood flooring. This rule is also true if you have under floor heating. Generally speaking, solid wood flooring isn’t recommended for installation over under floor heating because of the rises and falls of temperature caused by the heating. Engineered wood flooring can however be installed over under floor heating and this is a real luxury combination, particularly in a bedroom setting. When you swing your legs over the bed on a cold winter morning, there are few things nicer than touching oak under your feet, enhanced by the warmth from your under floor heating.
When it comes to the style of flooring you could or should choose for your bedroom, you truly will be spoilt for choice. With the range of wooden flooring available today, there’s no need to restrict yourself to following the rules; you truly can go as creative as you want, both with regards to colour, board widths and pattern.
How does wood compare to carpet for bedroom flooring?
| Attribute | Wood Flooring | Carpet |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Offers a wide range of styles, colours, and patterns. Can easily match any interior design style. | Variety of patterns and colours, but may not suit every style of decor. |
| Health Benefits | Preferred choice for allergy or asthma sufferers. It doesn’t harbor allergens like carpets can. | Can trap dust mites and germs, potential health risk for those with allergies or asthma. |
| Maintenance | Easy to clean and requires a simple maintenance routine. | Regular vacuuming required and may need professional cleaning periodically. |
| Suitability for Rooms with Moisture or Temperature Fluctuations | Engineered wood flooring is ideal, as it doesn’t expand and contract significantly with changes in temperature or moisture. | May be susceptible to mould and mildew in damp or humid conditions. |
| Suitability for Rooms with Underfloor Heating | Engineered wood flooring can be installed over underfloor heating. | Carpets can be used with underfloor heating but they may limit the efficiency of the heating system. |
| Comfort | Can feel warm and pleasant underfoot, especially when combined with underfloor heating. | Offers softness and warmth underfoot. |
| Creativity | Allows for creativity with a variety of colours, board widths, and patterns. | Limited scope for creativity as compared to wood flooring. |
FAQ
Q1: Which flooring type is more aesthetically versatile – wood or carpet?
A1: Wood flooring offers a wide range of styles, colours, and patterns and can easily match any interior design style. Carpets also offer a variety of patterns and colours, but may not suit every style of decor.
Q2: Which flooring option is better for allergy or asthma sufferers?
A2: Wood flooring is a preferred choice for allergy or asthma sufferers as it doesn’t harbor allergens like carpets can.
Q3: How does maintenance of wood flooring compare to carpet?
A3: Wood flooring is easy to clean and requires a simple maintenance routine, while carpets require regular vacuuming and may need professional cleaning periodically.
Q4: Can I install wood flooring in a room with underfloor heating?
A4: Yes, engineered wood flooring can be installed over underfloor heating. However, carpets can also be used with underfloor heating, but they may limit the efficiency of the heating system.
Q5: Which flooring option allows for more creativity?
A5: Wood flooring allows for more creativity with a variety of colours, board widths, and patterns. Carpets, on the other hand, offer limited scope for creativity as compared to wood flooring.