The elegant look of wood flooring adds elegance and charisma to any room. There are a vast range of options to choose from, including solid wood and engineered wood. Solid wood is sourced from nature directly. Wood from grown and mature trees are chopped at the Saw mill to get Solid Wood for flooring and furniture. Some popular varieties include hardwood, such as oak, maple, teak, and rosewood; and softwood such as pine, rubberwood, and white cedar.
Engineered wood is a range of derivative wood product manufactured by binding or fixing the strands, particles, etc. together with adhesives or other methods of fixation to form composite materials. This type of wood usually utilizes recycled wood from sawmills, and are treated through chemical or heat processes to produce wood that meets size requirements that are hard to find in nature.
Mankind’s relentless and careless consumption has depleted our natural resources alarmingly. Our forests are disappearing from the face of the earth. This has led to the innovation of engineered wood which is a more environmentally sustainable than solid wood. Trade Flooring UK is currently focused on making this eco-friendly option of wood flooring available all over UK.
The most popular hardwood flooring type is Oak.
Oak is a highly popular option for flooring as the grainy texture is highly attractive. The natural colour of oak is pleasant and favoured as well. Also, Oakwood can be coloured effectively as well, to different hues and shades. Oak is commonly used to build boats as it quite resistant to water damage. The cost range of oakwood is wide too, with cheap options to high end options. Oak wood flooring is known to withstand the test of time. The downsides are that its vulnerable to moisture and humidity, like all hardwoods, specific cuts and types can be expensive. Also, requires frequent maintenance.
Maple is one of the toughest woods
Both Hard Maple and Soft Maple are harder than most other types of woods. Maple wood is strong with great properties. The density of Maple wood is also high. When the density is high the hardness of the wood gets higher as well.
Pros
- Hard and dense
- Tight grain
- Moderately priced
- Sustainable wood
Cons
- Does not accept stain well
- Scratches are conspicuous
- Few colour choices
- Affected by sharp changes in humidity
Mahogany for the royal look and feel
Mahogany is a spectacular solid wood flooring which gives a royal ambience to the house. Mahogany wood is highly resistant and the beautiful natural reddish-brown hue is not lost easily over time. The spicy scent of freshly cut Mahogany wood is exotic and an amazing characteristic of Mahogany.
Pros
- Outstanding Colouring and Durability
- Easy to care for
- Moderately priced
- Timeless visual appeal
Cons
- As mahogany hardwood floors absorb sunlight, the color of the wood becomes darker over time
- Workability
Choose pine for its beauty and low cost.
Pinewood offers a variety of options aesthetically like standard pine and knotty pine. Pinewood is low-cost, and it absorbs paint effectively. Over time, Pinewood develops an even more beautiful look and is an inexpensive, lightweight wood.
Pros
- Affordable
- Does not require re-enforcement
- Light weight
- Resists shrinking & swelling
- Good elasticity
- Attractive grain options
Cons
- Common lumber often has defects
- Often features knots & knotholes
- Susceptible to scratches and dents
- Can be easily damaged
Cherry wood for an elegant look
Cherry wood is hardwood is one of the most popular woods used in furniture making, since the 17th century. Some of its main characteristics are durability and strength. Cherry wood is known for its classic beauty and workability.
Pros
- Dark, Rich, and Aesthetic Look
- Smooth and warm surface
- Easy to refinish and repair
- Strong and durable hardwood
- Adds more value to the property
- Variety of options to choose from: Cherry hardwood flooring options are of a large variety of colour, grades, wood types, and grain structures.
- Works well with Modern interior settings
Cons
- Hard to keep clean
- Costs more
- Can easily get scratches
- Will change colour over time
- Humidity can damage the floor
Sapele: A Stronger Mahogany Substitute
Sapele is a member of the Mahogany family and is commonly used as an alternative to genuine Mahogany. Sapele is stiffer and heavier than the mahogany. It is said to be harder than Red Oak. Sapele wood is also a great option for flooring. Sapele has a medium to dark reddish brown colour which will darken with time and exposure to UV light.
Pros
- Durable (more than true mahogany)
- Workable
- Can be used in both residential and commercial settings where the colour is desired
Beech: A Light and Inexpensive Hardwood Species
Beech wood is a hardwood which has large grains and medium-high hardness. Beech is a strong, hard, heavy and durable hardwood. The most common natural beech wood colour is a beautiful light shade. Beech wood flooring has a warm aesthetic appeal and a smooth appearance.
Pros
- Strong, Durable Material
- Versatile Placement Options
Cons
- Difficulty in Staining (a good choice only if you prefer its natural color)
- Potential for Shrinking and Splitting
- Workability – beechwood isn’t easy to work with, especially with hand tools
Conclusion
All of the varieties of wood choices mentioned above have its own unique characteristics, aesthetic features, pros and cons. Depending on your requirement, budget and purpose, you can choose the best one that will suit you. Do remember to check out the Janka hardness scale (which is a scale that puts a numerical value to a wood hardness to decide how useful it can be for different applications) for each type of wood.
For UK’s best environment friendly wood flooring options, do visit Trade Flooring UK.