Installing wood flooring is aesthetically pleasing and easy. It has natural wood grain patterns that contribute to the overall splendor of interiors. There exist a vast number of types of wooden flooring available. In order to find out which one best suit your home, learn how each type of wooden flooring differs.
Laminate Flooring:
The flooring material laminate is manufactured by melting multiple layers together to form one solid flooring surface. This includes a hardwood core, moisture-resistant backing and a photograph of real wood with protective overcoat. The flooring is affordable and looks like real wood. It’s easy to maintain and is very easy to clean.
However, laminate flooring is limited in longevity and can swell in the presence of moisture. Once gets damaged it cannot be repaired and will have to be replaced.
Solid Hardwood Flooring:
Solid hardwood flooring boards are made from a single piece of wood that measures 18 to 20 mm thick. The material is durable, long lasting, and can be periodically sanded and polished to restore its original look. Popular species of wood that are used for hardwood flooring include Oak, Cherry, walnut and mahogany.
The hardwood flooring is very expensive. It has the tendency to swell in moist environment and shrink in dry conditions.
Composite Wooden Flooring:
The flooring is manufactured via factory-manufacturing process, which involves chemical binders and protective surface coatings. Composite wood flooring offers good moisture resistance and scratch resistance, and is highly durable. Also, it has a top layer of real wood veneer and can be sanded and polished periodically to keep its appearance.
Composite wood flooring is a good alternative to solid hardwood flooring as it’s comparatively cheaper and easy to maintain.
Parquet Flooring:
These wooden floors have a decorative look that can be created with both solid wood and engineered wood. It includes thin strips of wood used to create a wide range of flooring patterns like basketweaves, herringbone, and other geometric patterns that come together to enhance any interior.
Bamboo Flooring:
Compared to hardwood trees, bamboo grows more rapidly than wood. As a result, bamboo is considered to be a highly sustainable material. In order to manufacture bamboo floor planks, bamboo fibers are compressed beneath extreme heat and pressure.
Mold and mildew cannot grow on this material because it is naturally resistant to moisture. Although bamboo is a grass, the larger specimens are called bamboo trees due to their tree-like appearance.
Cork Flooring:
These tiles are manufactured from the bark of the cork oak tree, and are made into the shape of multilayered panels. It is made of compressed cork for the bottom, MDF or HDF fiberboard for the middle and good-quality cork for the top layer.
This flooring material has a soft underfoot. It also provides good heat insulation and acts as a natural antimicrobial which is resistant to molds, mildew, and other pathogens. Additionally, Cork flooring is suitable for the environment, is recyclable, and is biodegradable.
How to Choose Flooring?
The best way to choose the right floor is to determine what you need. Consider these factors:
- Room: There are some types of flooring that are not perfect for every space, like carpet and hardwood.
- Family Situation: Children or pets need flooring that is spill-proof and scratch-resistant.
- Budget: The price varies widely, so you need to know what you can afford.
- Installation Requirements: Underlayment or pads may be required for some materials, and they may cost extra.
- Style: It is better to use certain types over others for the creation of the right aesthetic.
- Return on Investment: It is often better to invest more money into quality or higher cost items.
