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Timber flooring can hit the ideal note in any design of house - it looks organic, warm and rustic in a country cottage and, in a modern setting, it could add consistency and create an organic feel. Moreover, in both contemporary and period homes, the many vinyl and laminated versions can be a great and practical choice.

Wooden flooring is under constant technical development; the most recent ranges possess tough, long-long lasting finishes and are straightforward to set up. There's no need to be concerned about gaps between boards; the click-and-lock systems indicate the task could be handled by a skilled DIY-er, although most suppliers may also offer an installation program.

All sorts of wooden flooring http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=waterproof vinyl plank flooring could be laid over practically any sub-ground, including floorboards, concrete, outdated tiles or a boarded surface, as long as the surface is flat, dry and sound. Reclaimed timber flooring, nevertheless, is a slightly different proposition since it won't be neatly slice to size and it's difficult to judge what it will appear to be once it's been finished. Take suggestions from the supplier on how much to buy and which complete to select, and always make sure that you've bought plenty of - it will be tiresome to locate similar boards elsewhere. It is also worth experimenting with cleaning and/or finishes on an extra board before installation.

As it can be an integral area of the area and colour scheme, you should choose your timber floor at the start of the redecoration or refurbishment project. Relating to how light or dark the floor is, it can affect how color and paper colors appear. Although some timber flooring, such as for example parquet, solid hardwood and reclaimed boards, could be darkened or lightened by sanding down and re-varnishing, it isn't a job it's likely you'll want to do frequently.

Types of Timber Flooring

Solid Wood

Created from the named timbers, these are solid all the way through. Some types are ideal for installation as the structural flooring without needing a sub-floor underneath.

Reclaimed Timber

This can be bought as bundles of planks, boards or panels from reclamation and salvage yards, or as whole floors from timber-flooring specialists. Ahead of installation reclaimed timber flooring can appear very uninspiring. Once it's laid, however, it could look incredible.

Multi-Layered or Engineered

A plywood or veneered bottom, built up with many layers of criss-crossed hard or softwood boards, and topped with a layer of the named timber. The construction of this flooring gives it strength and stability, so it is a good alternative to solid-wood flooring.

Laminate

Made by producing an image of real wood on a layer of plastic, which is usually laminated to a plank backing. Top-quality versions have convincing textured finishes, and are hardwearing and difficult. Inexpensive DIY-store variations may look flat and lifeless, and the "wood" surface finish may flake or chip at the edges of the boards.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is widely available in timber patterns. High end sheet vinyl can be a great choice in the kitchen or bathroom, and can be considerably cheaper than solid wood. Vinyl plank or block flooring feels harder underfoot but, as each floor is separately designed, it always needs to be professionally laid.

Suitability

o Timber flooring can be noisy, especially in upstairs rooms; use rugs to deaden the sound of footsteps in active areas, and always use the insulation suggested by the installers.

o Reclaimed timber flooring is normally well-worn and is tough enough for most living kitchens, areas and although you ought to avoid bathrooms.

o Solid or engineered timber flooring is suitable for living dining areas, halls, areas and bedrooms.

o Laminates are suitable for living areas and bedrooms but avoid rooms with water, as seepage between your joins could cause planks to swell or discolour.

o Vinyl look-alikes are great options for bathrooms and kitchens, conservatories and utility rooms, aswell for main living areas.

Styles and Grades

Timber flooring comes seeing that planks (also called boards), each of which can be made up of several strips. A plank with a three-strip design offers three narrow strips running the length of the plank. The floor could have a random strip design when laid. Planks can vary in thickness, each depth being more ideal for certain bases. For instance, the thickest planks, at about 22 mm, can be laid over joists as structural floorboards, while thinner planks, at about 7 mm to 15 mm thick are laid as overlay floors on to an existing smooth, dry sub-floor.

The top finish of timber flooring can be given a grading. Premium or select grades are uniform, knot and smooth-free of charge. Moving down the scale, grades known as "natural" or "rustic" are less uniform in many cases, more reasonable and appealing. Only purchase your flooring if you have seen an example of the exact plank - finish, quality, strip and colour.

Wooden Flooring and the Environment

Timber flooring is normally acknowledged to be ecologically sound, providing it really is produced using timber from sustainable forests. Reputable stores will only deal with manufacturers who use wood from certified sources. In the united kingdom, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme is broadly recognised and carries a accredited chain that tracks timber through every stage, from forest to merchant. For further details, check out fsc-uk.info or contact (01686) 413916.

Trends

There's presently a move from towards darker wood, pale woods, narrow and reclaimed flooring. Oak can be a perennial favourite, possibly because of its middle-range colour options, and the fact that it blends flooring companies near me with practically any colour scheme or style.

Extra-wide boards and planks (up to 76 cm wide in some cases) have become favourites too, many with distressed finishes such as "smoked" effects. For laminate flooring, choose designs with V-grooves along the long and short edges of the boards, and with textured areas, which look far more realistic than completely clean surfaces.

Longevity and Upkeep

Solid-hardwood flooring is incredibly hard-wearing, and can last for several years. It can be sanded down and resurfaced every five to seven years. Built flooring will normally endure one or two sandings, but no more than that. Real hardwood flooring will age gracefully, and the symptoms of deterioration are a satisfactory feature - as timber furniture ages and accumulates the occasional dent or mark, therefore will timber flooring. Laminate flooring can't be sanded when chipped, damaged or scratched, although the best quality ones are extremely hardwearing and scratch resistant in the first place.

Save timber floors from getting scratched simply by grit, dust and dirt simply by regularly sweeping with a soft brush or vacuuming them. Also mop the floor once a week roughly with a well-wrung mop. A detergent could be put into the water, depending on whether the flooring includes a hard (varnished or lacquered) or soft (waxed or oiled) finish. Hard finishes give a defensive barrier for the hardwood, and offer a higher level of security, but are more challenging to correct if damaged.

A significant scratch or dent in a lacquered finish off usually means the whole floor needs to be sanded back and relacquered or revarnished. Waxed or oiled finishes are softer, and protect the surface by sinking into the timber itself. They're most effective if you would like to nurture an aged, worn look for your wooden ground. If waxed or oiled woods get damaged, the whole florr will not need to be redone, as it is possible to sand back again and re-wax or re-oil an isolated area.