Which type of Wood?

● Solid wood boards are made from a single piece of real timber. The wood is cut straight from the tree and then shaped into planks. It has a long life expectancy, offers timeless appeal and, if desired, can be sanded and refinished many times. However, unlike engineered flooring, solid wood is not usually compatible with underfloor heating.

● Engineered wood boards are constructed of a wear layer and multiple base layers. The wear layer is comprised of real wood, such as oak or walnut; below this are base layers, usually made from cheaper or composite wood, which are attached to the wear layer to provide stability and strength.

Once laid, there are no obvious differences between engineered and solid wood floors but, due to only having a wear layer of timber, engineered boards are more cost effective, though they can only be sanded once or twice in their lifetime.

● Laminate flooring is comprised of multiple layers of melamine resin and fibre board. This is then covered by a very high-resolution photo of real wood, which can be extremely realistic, and is sealed with a layer of clear protective film. Though laminate only offers the illusion of a solid wood floor, it is popular due to its low cost, durability and ease of installation and maintenance.

● Luxury vinyl flooring is similar to laminate, but instead of being made of wooden layers, it is made of plastic, with a top layer made from a high-resolution photo of real wood. Vinyl can be hand-scraped for a realistic texture and is especially praised for its waterproof qualities, which make it suitable for bathrooms and kitchens.

● Parquet flooring is a geometrically designed pattern of wood flooring. Created using smaller staves of wood, rather than planks, it can be either solid or engineered. The most common pattern to lay is the crossed ‘herringbone’ design, although the block form allows you to create bespoke patterns as well as the more traditional.

● Reclaimed timber is the closest you can get to authentic wood flooring in a period home. Having had a longer life than newer boards, reclaimed wood is less likely to split as it has been exposed to both hot and cold environments for many years and so will have already expanded and contracted to its full potential. This makes it stronger and more durable than its modern counterparts, and the denser grain means the wood is less likely to warp. Its authentic colour variations and aged quality gives a reclaimed floor a unique personality.

● Bamboo is a less traditional option, but its popularity is on the rise due to its sustainability and resilience. Although it’s actually a type of grass, it has a unique grain pattern (similar to wood), which can be worked into boards. Bamboo flooring is water-resistant but it is not totally waterproof and so is not recommended for use in bathrooms.