8 tips for Choosing the Best Wood Flooring for your home

The best wood flooring for a home is a matter of taste but there are some basic guidelines to follow when choosing the right type of wood flooring. Some people prefer dark woods with a lot of character while others opt for light ones that don't show marks as easily.
 
A few tips are listed below to help you make the best decision when looking at different wood flooring options.
 
1. Distressed Wood Flooring
Distressed wood floors are beautiful, rustic and come in many styles including reclaimed, salvaged or antique. The natural look of these floors goes well with modern or more rustic decorating styles such as cabins and lofts.
 
2. Light Wood Flooring
Light wood floors like maple, pine and oak are more contemporary and go well with white walls and contemporary furniture. They also offer a more traditional feel so they can be used in more formal spaces like living and dining rooms.
 
3. Dark Wood Flooring
Dark wood floors, such as cherry and walnut, provide a luxurious feel to any space. They are usually formal and go well in the living room or entryway areas.
 
4. Solid Wood Flooring (Engineered)
Solid wood flooring is a great choice for a more modern and contemporary space. This is another good option for people looking to add square footage at a lower cost than buying wood flooring in larger dimensions. Solid wood floors come in engineered form which is made by mixing several different layers of real wood with plywood or other materials such as hardwood.
 
5. Wooden Flooring
Wooden flooring is simple and elegant. They are typically neutral in colour so they go well with nearly any style. Even though wooden floors can be stained, it is recommended to go with natural-looking options to complement the room's character. Also because this type of wood flooring is more susceptible to changes in humidity or temperature, finishing products must be carefully selected.
 
6. Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a contemporary looking option that combines vinyl and wood flour or other materials, giving off the appearance of real wood without all the maintenance involved. The top layer is designed to look like real wood, while the bottom layer enhances its performance and durability. Laminate flooring does not require staining or sealing because of its special coating, so it also saves you a lot of time and effort while maintaining its high-quality finish.
 
Laminate flooring is made of several layers of materials that are fused together under heat and high pressure. The finished product is then covered with a high-gloss or matte finish that simulates the appearance of natural hardwood.
 
It is also affordable and very durable, making it one of the most popular choices for homes. It stands up to pets and children well. Additionally, laminate flooring resists moisture quite well and can be installed in areas with high moisture content, such as kitchens and bathrooms. However, laminate flooring is not very noise-resistant. You can find engineered wood flooring that has a moisture-resistant core for use in high humidity areas like kitchens and baths.
 
7. Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is a class of engineered flooring that uses bamboo as its primary source. It can be easily stained and comes in various colours and styles. Paired with the fact it can resist fading, moisture and termites and you have yourself an extremely durable and versatile alternative to traditional hardwood floors. Plus, it's eco-friendly.
 
8. Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood floor is plywood that has been bonded under high pressure with durable top layers of birch, oak or maple. The finished product provides the look and feel of natural hardwood, but engineered wood flooring is much more durable than traditional hardwood floors.

Engineered wood flooring is very easy to maintain. It resists stains well and will not warp, crack or shrink over time. This makes engineered wood flooring a popular choice in homes with pets.
 
The advantages of Wood Flooring are:

• A real hardwood floor adds character, warmth and value to your home.
• Durable floors are easy to maintain because they can be refinished or sanded down when scratches appear.
• Wood floors can last for many years and require little to no maintenance if sealed regularly.
• Most wood flooring is water-resistant and it's highly unlikely that an untreated piece of wood will warp or rot.
• And most importantly, wood floors are beautiful. Because the grains in each piece of wood are unique, no two pieces will look exactly alike.
• Laminate Flooring is the most affordable flooring option on this list but it isn't necessarily the best value. It's long-lasting and easy to clean, but laminate does not have the same aesthetic value as hardwood. While some laminate flooring is made to look identical to real wood, most pieces are designed to resemble other materials like stone and tile.
• Laminate flooring is easy to install and maintain and it can give a room a more modern feel than hardwood.
• But keep in mind that laminate flooring is not as sturdy or strong as hardwood. It can dent and scratch easily and it has a lower resistance to water damage than other options.

 
The disadvantages of wood flooring are:

• it needs maintenance
• wood can become uneven or warped over time
• it is more expensive than other flooring types.

Need assistance to choose the perfect wood flooring for your project contact speak to our friendly team at Bedford Flooring