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Timber flooring can strike the ideal note in any style of house - it looks organic, warm and rustic in a nation cottage and, in a contemporary setting, it could add texture and create an organic feel. Furthermore, in both contemporary and period homes, the various vinyl and laminated variations can be a great and practical choice.

Wooden flooring is in constant technical development; the most recent ranges possess tough, long-long lasting finishes and are straightforward to install. There's no need to get worried about gaps between boards; the click-and-lock systems imply the task can be handled by a skilled DIY-er, although many suppliers may also offer an installation services.

All sorts of wooden flooring can be laid more than practically any sub-ground, including floorboards, concrete, old tiles or a boarded surface area, as long as the surface is dry, sound and flat. Reclaimed timber flooring, nevertheless, is a somewhat different proposition since it won't be neatly slice to size and it's difficult to judge what it will look like once it has been finished. Take advice from the supplier on how much to get and which complete to select, and always ensure that you've bought enough - it'll be tiresome to locate similar boards elsewhere. It's also worth experimenting with washing and/or finishes on an extra board before installation.

As it can be an integral part of the room and colour pallette, you should choose your timber ground in the beginning of the redecoration or refurbishment project. Regarding to how light or dark the floor is, it can affect how color and paper colours appear. Even though 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's not a job it's likely you'll want to do frequently.

Types of Timber Flooring

Solid Wood

Made from the named timbers, they are solid all the way through. Some types are suitable for set up as the structural ground without needing a sub-floor underneath.

Reclaimed Timber

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

Multi-Layered or Engineered

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

Laminate

Made by producing an image of solid wood on a layer of plastic, which can be laminated to a board backing. Top-quality versions have got convincing textured finishes, and are hardwearing and hard. Inexpensive DIY-store variations may look flat and lifeless, and the "wood" end may flake or chip at the edges of the boards.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is widely available in timber patterns. Luxury sheet vinyl could 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 flooring companies near me each ground is individually designed, it always must be professionally laid.

Suitability

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

o Reclaimed timber flooring is usually well-worn and is tough more than enough for most living although you should avoid bathrooms, areas and kitchens.

o Solid or engineered solid wood flooring is ideal for living bedrooms, rooms, dining rooms and halls.

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

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

Styles and Grades

Timber flooring comes as planks (also called boards), each of which can be made up of numerous strips. A plank with a three-strip design has three narrow strips running the length of the plank. The floor will have a random strip pattern when laid. Planks may differ thick, each depth being more ideal for certain bases. For example, 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 heavy are laid as overlay flooring on to an existing smooth, dry sub-floor.

The top finish of timber flooring is also given a grading. High quality or go for grades are uniform, smooth and knot-free. Moving down the scale, grades referred to as "natural" or "rustic" are much less uniform more realistic, appealing and in many cases. Only purchase your flooring if you have seen an example of the exact plank - strip, surface finish, colour and grade.

Wooden Flooring and the Environment

Timber flooring is normally acknowledged to end up being ecologically sound, providing it really is produced using timber from sustainable forests. Reputable stores will only deal with manufacturers who use wood from certified resources. In the UK, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme is broadly recognised and includes a certified chain that tracks timber through every stage, from forest to retailer. For further details, go to fsc-uk.info or contact (01686) 413916.

Trends

There's presently a move away from reclaimed flooring, narrow, pale woods and towards darker wood. Oak is normally a perennial preferred, possibly due to its middle-range colour choices, and the actual fact that it blends 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 for example "smoked" effects. For laminate flooring, choose styles with V-grooves along the lengthy and short edges of the boards, and with textured surfaces, which look a lot more realistic than completely soft surfaces.

Longevity and Upkeep

Solid-hardwood flooring is incredibly hard-wearing, and can last for several years. It could be sanded down and resurfaced every five to seven years. Designed flooring will normally endure a couple of sandings, but no more than that. Real solid wood flooring will age gracefully, and the symptoms of deterioration are an acceptable feature - as timber home furniture ages and accumulates the casual dent or mark, therefore will timber flooring. Laminate flooring can't be sanded when chipped, broken or scratched, although the very best quality ones are very hardwearing and scratch resistant in the first place.

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

A serious scratch or dent in a lacquered finish usually means the whole floor needs to be sanded back and relacquered or revarnished. Waxed or oiled finishes are softer, and protect the top by sinking into the hardwood itself. They're most successful if you want to nurture an aged, worn search for your wooden ground. If waxed or oiled woods get damaged, the complete florr will not have to be redone, as it is possible to sand back again and re-wax or re-oil an isolated area.