Types of Wooden Flooring

Different Types of Wooden Flooring

If you are a homeowner that is considering laying wood floors, you will find that they add a lot to your home with their natural beauty and versatility that blends with almost any decor, whether it be modern, country or traditional. Before you choose your flooring, here are the different types of wooden flooring that are available.

Unfinished vs Finished

If you want to add a custom stain to your flooring, or are looking to match the color of your existing floor, unfinished hardwood flooring is probably the best option for you. Once the wood flooring has been installed and stained, several coats of protective finish will be applied.

Unfinished flooring is especially a good choice for kitchens, as the finish will penetrate the wood and seal the board seams to prevent water from seeping in between. You can buy prefinished hardwood flooring, which has been sanded and sealed, directly from a factory. This will help the installation process to go more quickly and the floor will be ready for immediate use.

All Flooring WA offers supply and installation of a complete range of flooring for Perth homes.

Solid vs. Engineered

Solid hardwood flooring made from natural wood can be bought in either 5/8 or 3/4 inch thick sheets. Because the wood is solid, you can sand and refinish it many times. It is also susceptible to damage from humidity, so it isn’t a good idea to use these for basements.

Engineered hardwood flooring has a veneer of wood that is glued to several more layers of wood underneath, such as plywood. This makes the wood more stable and durable and is thus a good choice for any room in the home.

Depending on the thickness of the wood veneer, engineered hardwood should only be sanded and refinished once or twice to preserve its strength.

Choosing the Best Species of Wood

The best hardwood floors are made from durable wood such as oak, maple and cherry. Ash, bamboo, walnut and mahogany are also good choices. Some woods, such as teak, are durable but tend to be very expensive. You should ensure that the hardwood flooring you buy comes from forests that are sustainably harvested.

Another option is to buy reclaimed hardwood flooring from a salvage yard. While there may be some signs of wearing on the wood, you’ll pay far less than the cost of new flooring. You can also ask the salvage yard owner to put you on a waiting list if they don’t have what you need.

If you are in Perth, you can contact us for installation of any types of flooring stated above.