Hall areas are one part of the home that really get put through their paces. Unless you live alone on the fourth floor of an apartment block that has carpeted common areas, your hall is more than likely to take a regular beating. With wet and gritty feet coming in from the outdoors on a regular basis, not only is it essential to have the right door mats in place, it’s also of utmost importance that you make good choices regarding the flooring you choose for your hall areas.
Back and front hall areas each get a tough time, albeit in different ways, so what things should you focus on to make sure that the wood flooring you choose for your hall areas is the best?
Finish
When you’re putting a wood floor into your hallway, it’s a good idea to give consideration to the footfall and traffic that your hallway gets before choosing your finish. If you either live alone or are part of a house-proud couple, you can probably afford to be a bit less worried, but if you’re a family of 5 with 2 dogs, then a bit more care is probably called for.
When it comes to choosing the right finish, the two most durable are lacquered and oiled. A lacquered finish is a particularly hard finish that effectively sits on the top of the board and helps avoid water penetration to a greater extent than an oiled finish would. That said, one disadvantage of a lacquered finish is that it tends to show scratches and dents a tad more than an oiled finish will.
If you choose an oiled finish, what you get is a treatment that goes to the core of the board and camouflages scratches and dents more effectively. That said, if there is significant risk of water being brought into your hallway on feet, on pets or from dripping umbrellas, then lacquer will be more resilient.
The finish you ultimately choose will be based very much on personal taste. If you want a matt finish and are prepared to be vigilant when it comes to water puddles from feet, then you could definitely get away with an oiled finish. That said, if you don’t want to be worrying about mopping up, and you can live with the odd bit of wear and tear, then a lacquered finish would give you an easier life.
UV filter
Hallways have a tendency to be one of the sunniest part of many homes. While this mightn’t be a major issue, as a precaution, it is well worth choosing wood flooring for your hall areas that has a UV filter in its finish. Here is a stunning oiled finish solution that would work well in a hallway and this lacquered finish option would be perfect too.
Colour
The colour of wood floor you choose for your hall will, in many ways be determined by the overall look you’re hoping to achieve. If you have a light and airy hall, then you can pretty much choose any colour you like. However, if your hallway happens to be dark, then the likes of these light oak floors would work a treat to help wash your room with light. The only thing about choosing a very light option is that you may need to be a bit stricter with your foot wiping rules!
Board size
When researching the right wood floor for any hallway, it’s worth considering carefully the dimensions of your room and getting creative if you’re not 100% happy with the shape or size of your hall. Long, narrow hallways for example can be a challenge for many people, but clever use of wide boards running across the hall can create a really effective illusion of increased width. Alternatively, if your hallway is lacking any sort of charm, the likes of parquet flooring will bring it to a new level instantaneously.
Top layer thickness
You might never actually do it, but knowing you can, is peace of mind in itself. Here we’re talking about re-sanding and re-finishing your floor. Because hallways sometimes take such a hammering when it comes to footfall and traffic, knowing that, from time to time, you can re-sand and re-finish the floor is a real comfort. In order to achieve this peace of mind, ideally you should choose an engineered board with a slightly thicker top layer or a solid wood board. If you’re choosing engineered, the likes 4mm to 6mm top layer will work well.
And a final word of advice…
In order to keep your hall areas looking great for even longer, get strict on foot wiping routines. Make sure you have an outdoor mat if your house gives directly on to the outdoors, plus an indoor mat AND insist that people use them. Choose high quality mats, and if you have the confidence, ask people to take their shoes off at the door. It might sound crazy, but it’ll save you a whole lot of stress associated with your hall flooring!
If you’d like help to choose the perfect wood flooring for your hall areas, don’t hesitate to get in touch. At Wood and Beyond we’re fanatical about everything wood flooring related and we’d love to share our knowledge and experience with you.
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FAQ
What factors should I consider when choosing wood flooring for my hall areas?
There are several factors you should consider when choosing wood flooring for your hall areas. First, consider the finish; lacquered and oiled finishes are most durable and each has its own advantages. Second, consider a UV filter to protect the floor from sun damage. The color of the floor should complement the overall aesthetic of your hall. Fourth, the size of the board should be carefully considered to suit the dimensions and shape of your hall. Finally, consider the thickness of the top layer for future re-sanding and re-finishing possibilities.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of lacquered and oiled finishes?
A lacquered finish is hard and helps avoid water penetration more than an oiled finish, making it more resilient against water brought in from outdoors. However, it tends to show scratches and dents more than an oiled finish. An oiled finish goes to the core of the board and camouflages scratches and dents effectively, but may not be as water-resistant.
Why should I consider a UV filter in my wood flooring finish?
Hallways often get plenty of sunlight, which could potentially damage your wood flooring over time. A UV filter in the finish can help to protect the floor from this damage.
How can the size and placement of the boards affect the appearance of my hall?
Long, narrow hallways can appear wider with the use of wide boards placed across the hall. If your hallway is lacking charm, unique patterns such as parquet flooring can add instant appeal.
What is the importance of the top layer thickness in wood flooring?
The thickness of the top layer in wood flooring matters because it gives you the option to re-sand and re-finish the floor in the future. Hallways experience a lot of foot traffic and may need such maintenance over time. A thicker top layer, such as 4mm to 6mm, is ideal.