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The best wood floor options for your home

Best Wood Floor options

Who doesn’t look a beautiful timber floor? Timeless appeal, long-lasting, allergen free … the benefits to going with wooden flooring in your home are many. But which kind should you choose?

Well, it all comes down to personal preferences and how you use your house, of course. The three main players when it comes to the types of wooden flooring you can have in your home are laminate, solid wood and engineered wood. Below we list the pros and cons of all three when it comes to durability, repairability, price and lifestyle.

Laminate Flooring

Price is an immediate delight when you check out laminate flooring – from both a purchase and installation point of view.

The quality of Laminate has improved immensely over the last few years closing the gap between it and other wood options.

It is more durable, and resistant to scratches, moisture and wear and tear.

Laminate has UV protection integrated into the surface which can help prevent fading.

Most types of laminate snap together therefore it is much easier to lay.

Laminate lasts on an average of 10 years, (although constant exposure to UV rays and water penetrating the floor may reduce its life).

Repairing laminate floor is sometimes possible, but matching the colour can be a problem.

Installation is by floating floor method.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Is 100% wood and definitely has the wow factor, adding real value to your house.

Can be repaired by sanding and refinishing many times.

Is renewable and recyclable which makes it very ecofriendly.

The direct stick method is normally used for installing solid wood floors.

Really needs to be installed by professionals.

Depending on the natural light solid wood can fade badly.

Depending on the grade of the wood it is usually the most expensive out of the three wood options.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Look like real wood, with unique patterns and deep appearance.

Can be ecofriendly – look for FSC certification

Is made up of a range of wood products (composite wood).

Can be sanded and refinished, but only once or twice, depending on the depth of the top layer.

It does not expand and contract as much as solid wood which can lead to bowing and cupping.

Not as susceptible to moisture and heat.

Floating or direct stick installation can be used depending on the floor structure.

Maybe be slightly cheaper than solid wood, but not by much.

A surprising fourth option …

Now, bamboo is technically not a wood, it is fast growing grass. But … it looks great and is extremely hard wearing and durable.  Environmentalists also believe it generates less greenhouse gases than harvesting timber. Additionally, Australian installers are required by law to use a low emission glue.

Many of the bamboo flooring brands these days provide flooring in all the popular solid wood finishes. So, if you’re looking for a wood flooring option that’s price-effective, looks great, and is hard wearing – bamboo might be just the way to go.

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