Wood Flooring & Your Home

Over the years, various trends have come and gone. From grand marble floors to brightly coloured 80’s style carpets, but one thing that has remained popular for decades is good old solid wood flooring! So why is it that wood flooring remains such a popular choice in homes around the world?

Appearance:

It’s hard to deny wood flooring of the beauty that it holds, despite the fact that this kind of flooring has been around for decades it offers a timeless appearance and yet at the same time it can be made to suit any ultra-modern home should you wish to do so. Whichever grade of wood you choose for your floor it tells a story and it makes your home so much more - homely! If you’re into the shabby chic industrial look that is so popular at the moment then rustic grade wood flooring is the one for you. It has so many nooks and crannies, all of which make the flooring appear more ‘honest’ and adds character to the room in which you place it in.

Value:

Real wood flooring is often seen as an investment, so although the initial cost of it can seem pricey it is definitely worth it in the long run! In fact a lot of estate agents/potential buyers will deem wood flooring as a factor that increases the value of the home, and given how long they are guaranteed for they can save money over time too.

Matching Interiors:

It can be a bit of a nightmare pairing interiors with flooring unless you have gone for the straightforward beige theme, however wood flooring is ideal because it can be finished in any way that you prefer to match any furnishings or accessories that you may already have. There are so many different types of wood to choose from, all different shades from the lightest white to dark walnut flooring, the choice is yours!

Hygiene:

The simple cleaning of wood flooring makes it one of the most hygienic options on the market. Because carpet consists of so many fibres, they can trap things like odours and dusts which can also be a nightmare for any allergy sufferers, but because of the material used in wood flooring things like this don't stick to them and they can be easily lifted by either sweeping or mopping. There are also specific wood detergents available to assist with keeping it extra clean.

Damage:

If in the unlikely event of damage, wood flooring can be easily repaired and refinished to get it looking as good as the day that it was installed. Single planks can be easily removed and replaced then finished to match the rest of the floor if it gets chipped or scratched. If that was something like laminate or vinyl then the entire floor would need to be ripped up and replaced.

Installation:

When it comes to installing real wood floors the two most popular methods used are either glued down or nail down. Regardless of the method that you choose, it’s crucial that you acclimatise the flooring to the room in which it is being installed - this can usually take around a week. If you opt to glue the floor down this is usually done on top of a concrete subfloor, but if the subfloor is uneven then a chipboard or plywood should be applied on top, a DPM (damp proof membrane) may also be required to prevent moisture rising through the wood itself. It is also important to have a proper subfloor ventilation Sydney system in place, especially in areas like Sydney where humidity can be an issue. If you wish to nail the floor down then this needs to be done on top of either plywood, joists or battens.

There you have it, just a few of the reasons why wood flooring is a great addition to any home!