When it comes to flooring materials, there are a few that are more popular than others. For example, wood and laminate flooring are on opposite sides of the spectrum but are equally favoured because of their benefits. This article aims to expand further on both these options as a guide to homeowners who are in the market to select a new flooring material.

Types of natural wood flooring
Natural wood is a sought after flooring material because of its appearance and value. But the type of wood used significantly impacts the properties of the material such as its hue, grain, hardness, and stability. It is therefore common to distinguish that wood flooring differs in quality depending on the wood type. Properties of wood such as its hardness will determine how well it will stand up against wear and tear. Wood species have individual Janka ratings which define its hardness. The higher the score, the harder the wood. The type of floor finish you choose will also affect the overall hardness of the material.

Another factor to consider is how stable the wood is when it comes to humidity and changing temperature conditions. It is best to choose wood floors with excellent dimensional stability if you live in areas with extreme changes in humidity levels. Here is a comparison of the characteristics of popular wood types used in flooring:

• Red oak. Its reddish hue and coarse grain characterise this type of hardwood floor. It is both durable and workable and has a hardness rating of 1290. Since it is porous, it requires proper seasoning to minimise shrinking.

• White oak. This is one of the heavier types of hardwood but is also durable. Similar to red oak, the grain is also porous and requires proper seasoning to prevent shrinking due to humidity and temperature fluctuations.

• Maple. Maple has a closed and uniform grain making it harder and more challenging to work with. It is typically stained to achieve a high-gloss finish.

• Brazilian cherry. This is a type of exotic hardwood with a reddish hue. The wood features an interlocking grain and exceptional hardness. This type of hardwood is very popular because it is relatively affordable and aesthetically appealing. It can also be a sustainable type of flooring material depending on the source.

• White ash. White ash is easy to work with. It has an open grain and its hardness is equally satisfactory. This wood is typically light to dark brown. Some types of wood like Douglas fir are not strictly considered a hardwood but sometimes used for subflooring. Some older homes still have Douglas fir subfloors which can look great when sanded and stained.

How to choose hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring options come in many varieties. To guide you in selecting the most suitable hardwood floors for your needs, consider the following:

• Solid or engineered wood. Engineered wood is becoming a popular alternative to solid hardwood because it is more durable and resistant to shifting. Another advantage of engineered wood is that you can directly install it over a concrete subfloor. Nevertheless, you need to choose carefully and weigh all the characteristics of each option.

• Pre-finished or site-finished hardwood. You can buy hardwood planks raw and allow a professional to finish them after installation. Pre-finished hardwood, on the other hand, comes with a layer of stain or topcoat already applied. One advantage of pre-finished wood is that you already know what the finished product will look like after installation. This will make it a lot easier for you to work with other design elements within the area such as choosing complementary cabinetry, wall paint, and furniture. In contrast, site finished hardwood floors allow for more flexibility and customisation. You have more control over the level of shine and the amount of stain you want to be applied to the wood.

• Type of finish. There is also a wide range of finishing products to choose from which fall under two general categories: oil and polyurethane. An oil finish lends a natural, matte, and soft finish to hardwood but does not make it resistant to scratches and minor damage. Polyurethane, on the other hand, creates a hard top layer to wood which makes it more resilient especially if you have young children or pets in your home. Although oil-finished wood is easier to maintain, you’ll have to do it more often. Polyurethane-finished hardwood does not require frequent maintenance, but once you do need it, it is more extensive and takes longer to complete.

• Type of wood. Oak is considered as one of the most popular types of wood to work with and use for flooring. It is durable and looks excellent after staining. Oak is also readily available which means you can find suppliers with reasonable prices. Aside from oak, other popular choices include maple, cherry, and ash. With all these attractive choices, it often boils down to your preference in grain and colour.

• Grain pattern. The manner in which the wood is cut down affects the resulting grain pattern. Traditional wood grain with undulating patterns or cathedrals is possible through plain sawing wood. Rift-sawing wood, on the other hand, does not produce cathedrals; instead, the grain is long and linear. Choosing the grain pattern depends on what you ultimately want the floor to look like.

• Choosing the plank width. For a time, hardwood planks were sold in two to three-inch strips. But these days, hardwood floors come in wider planks which look more natural and expensive. Choosing plank width affects the cost of installation. In general, wider planks are more expensive. Aside from these factors, the installation also impacts the type of flooring material you purchase. Since hardwood floors are a considerable investment, you need to make sure that installation is done correctly by trained professionals.

Wood-like laminate flooring
Since wood and laminate flooring are two of the most popular flooring materials used today, it is also vital to compare what makes laminate an excellent choice. Although most laminate flooring is made to look like natural wood, laminate floors contain no wood but are synthetically engineered layers of material fused together. The structure of a laminate floor is due to its core, and the top photographic layer provides the appearance of wood. Here are some of the reasons which make laminate flooring a superior choice:

1. Laminate floors do not shrink or warp. Temperature changes and humidity levels can significantly affect the appearance of hardwood floors. Over time and due to exposure to these conditions, natural wood can bend and twist creating gaps between planks. This is not the case with laminate flooring. The multiple layers of material fused together offset the effect of temperature and humidity and prevent laminate planks from twisting or warping. It also helps that laminate is typically installed using a floating method which allows it to hold up well in such conditions.

2. Durability and resistance to damage. The superior strength and durability of laminate flooring are what makes it a popular choice for commercial and office spaces. This floor type can handle heavy foot traffic with minimal maintenance and cleaning required.

3. Easy installation. Laminate flooring is also popular for DIY installation because most planks come with a click and lock system with no nailing and glueing required. This means you can finish installing laminate floors within a day and the floor is ready for use in no time.

4. Resistance to fading, stains, and scratches. Laminate flooring holds up well against minor household stains. But even with tough stains that are hard to remove with ordinary cleaning chemicals, you can remove them with acetone and not damage the laminate flooring underneath. Laminate floor is also resistant to the effect of UV rays which means that it won’t fade easily after extended exposure to sunlight.

5. Kid and pet-friendly. Another consideration many homeowners need to make when choosing a flooring material is whether there are young children and pets. If you invest in high-end flooring which could get easily scratched and stained, you are not getting the best value for money. Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for homes with pets and young children. What’s remarkable about laminate is that you can easily remove it if you plan on renovating in the future.

6. Sustainable. Manufacturers of laminate flooring typically use recycled or recyclable materials. This is important in making sure that producing laminate flooring remains sustainable and environment-friendly. Although some people are still concerned that synthetic materials used in manufacturing laminate flooring emit volatile compounds, there are strict industry standards which ensure that volatile compound emission is minimised. If you want to make sure that you are buying laminate flooring adhering to these safety standards, always check with the supplier and consult an expert before making a purchase.

The bottom line is, hardwood floors and laminate floors have unique properties and benefits which make them equally excellent flooring options. In making a decision, you need to consider which features are most important as well as the cost. Hardwood is pricier and looks more elegant, but with advanced production techniques used today, there is laminate flooring which can rival the appearance of natural wood.

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