Wonderful WOOD
Wooden oors are the most traditional type of ooring and have been used for centuries thanks to their durability and natural beauty
Wood oors come in many di erent designs and nishes from planks to parquet, and dark woods to light. But because it’s a natural material, every piece is di erent. Solid wood oors are just that, solid pieces of timber that can be stained, waxed or polished, and if they get damaged, they can be sanded down and re- nished. Engineered wood oors, on the other hand, are made with a hardwood base and then a ply or softwood layer that’s topped o with a solid piece of wood or veneer. The bene t of engineered wood is that it doesn’t expand or contract in the way that natural wood does.
“Choosing the right type of wood oor largely depends on where you want to use it and the look you want to create. A solid wood oor is hard-wearing, durable, can be re-sanded many times and should last for well over 100 years. It’s easy and cost-e ective to refurbish a wood oor without having to replace it, which makes it better for the environment. Engineered oors tend to be cheaper as only the top layer is hard wood (sometimes it’s the top and bottom layers), with layers of cheaper soft woods beneath. The top layer is known as the ‘wear’ layer and they vary in thickness. The thicker the wear layer, the more the oor looks like solid wood. Engineered wood is strong and resilient. It won’t move like natural wood and can be used in conjunction with under oor heating. It can also be used in high-moisture areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and cellars.”
Robert Walsh, founder and owner,
Ted Todd Fine Wood Floors