In this article, we offer the homeowner useful information about selecting the most suitable flooring.
Most people have no hesitation when asked about their idea of perfect flooring. They will tell you it has to be a hardwood floor installed by professionals. However, traditional hardwood has become a very valuable resource and an oak floor will not be cheap; that said, a solid wood floor will last a lifetime. If you are planning to build your dream home and can’t decide on flooring, you have come to the right place, as we compare solid timber to a composite material.
Hardwood Flooring
The list of tree species that are suitable for home flooring is indeed long and includes:
- American Timbers – Oak, Birch and Walnut.
- Jarrah – A locally grown hardwood that is a big favourite among homeowners.
- Grey Ironbark – As the name suggests, this is a very dense timber, making it perfect for heavy traffic areas.
- Hard Rock Maple – Another very popular choice, with lighter shades and attractive timber-grain finishes.
- Cypress Pine – This hardy species offers contrasting browns and a tight, dense grain and is very durable.
- Baltic Pine – The trees that grow near the Arctic are very dense, making them ideal for flooring and these species incorporate nice swirls and colour combinations.
If you would like to view examples of hardwood flooring in a real-life setting, search with Google for a leading local flooring showroom and pay them a visit.
Engineered Timber Flooring
You may not be aware that technology has enabled a new type of floor material that is basically a composite core material that is wrapped with about 3-5mm of real timber, with a final layer of protection. The engineered hardwood flooring Australia has, for example, are installed by experts and for a very affordable cost. They have a wide range of finishes that are identical to hardwood and the money you save is considerable when you opt for engineered timber. If you live outside Australia, a quick Google search should help you find a supplier of this type of flooring near your area.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
LVT is a very popular alternative to solid hardwood and for very good reason, vinyl is every bit as durable as timber and the designs come in stone, slate, and hardwood. If money is tight due to house buying and relocation costs, LVT is very affordable when compared to hardwood, besides, no one would ever know, the finish is that good! Vinyl can be installed on any substrate and it might require a cork backing. Talk to the supplier about this.
At the end of the day, it is down to your personal preference. Some people have their heart set on timber and with engineered solutions, you can keep the cost down. The kitchen and bathroom are ideal rooms for luxury vinyl, as it is waterproof and very durable, plus there are more than 50 hardwood finishes to choose from.
It is very important that your new flooring is installed by professionals, whether choosing solid timber, engineered timber, or composite material. The eco-friendly choice would be engineered timber, which has all the properties of hardwood, but at a much lower cost, and with many designs available, there’s bound to be one that is perfect.
