Which wooden floor

Engineered wood is super versatile when it comes to installation. You can nail or glue it to a subfloor, install it as a floating floor using click-lock planks, or even loose-lay it. Whatever makes you happy. Pro tip: the cost to install engineered hardwood floors is generally cheaper than the cost to install solid hardwood floors for this exact reason. The look and feel of a hardwood floor is largely determined by its species, and there are dozens of species to choose from—ranging from domestics like oak and walnut to exotic imports like mahogany and teak.

But before we get into the specifics of your wood flooring options, we need to talk about the Janka scale. PS: for more information on different types of wood flooring, check out our guide to the 26 best hardwood species for flooring.

We use something called the Janka scale to measure the hardness of different types of wood flooring. Technically speaking, the Janka scale measures pounds of force needed to push a steel ball halfway through a piece of wood.

The more pounds of force needed, the harder the wood. Example: balsa a super soft wood has a Janka rating of Maple, on the other hand, has a Janka rating of Oak is by far the most popular species for hardwood flooring in the US. Most domestic oak flooring is one of two types: red oak or white oak. Both are great flooring options , with white oak scoring just slightly higher than red oak on the Janka hardness scale.

Ash boasts an excellent Janka rating Plus, its light grain works super well in modern designs. Buyer beware: ash trees are currently facing a destructive Emerald Ash Borer Beetle blight try saying that 10 times fast. Translation: if eco-friendly flooring is a priority for you, you may want to look into other types of wood floors. Maple flooring is second only to oak in terms of popularity.

Ranging from pale, creamy white to light, reddish-brown, maple floors are beloved for their fine, subdued grain. Just beware: maple can be difficult to stain but it does take neutral finishes well. Like oak and maple, hickory scores high on the Janka scale with a rating of Side note: hickory flooring is the hardest domestic aka American-grown wood species there is.

You can read more about the pros and cons of hickory flooring here, but really, most of the disadvantages of hickory flooring boil down to people not loving its look.

If you ask us, mahogany feels like old-fashioned wealth, and beautiful leather chairs, and grandfatherly advice, and… well, you get the idea. Again, genuine mahogany and Santos mahogany are two distinct types of wood flooring, just like American walnut and Brazilian walnut. Another exotic wood, teak is full of natural oils that make it shine like crazy—even with minimal finish.

Just be aware: illegal teak harvesting is causing massive ongoing issues with deforestation, so make sure to only buy teak from a Forest Stewardship Council-certified source. Fun fact: the hardwood vs. Cultivated from tree bark rather than wood , cork flooring is one of the most sustainable flooring options around.

Soft and comfortable underfoot, it also has great insulation and acoustic properties. And all of the best cork flooring products are anti-microbial—AKA perfect for people with allergies.

And that susceptibility means it also needs to be sealed more often than other types of wood flooring, which can be a hassle. Be careful buying from box stores! And strand-woven bamboo floors can have Janka ratings of or higher. That is seriously strong! The angle at which wood is cut from the tree is one of the biggest factors in determining its final grain pattern. This company supplies new and reclaimed flooring.

Particularly popular is its hard-wax oil finish, which can be brushed, smoked or distressed. Alongside the typical parquet patterns, this firm sells matching chevrons, blocks and short planks from which you can cut your own designs. Specialists in antique and handmade floors. Only the highest-quality wood is used, sourced mostly from preth-century buildings in the UK. Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Keep your spirits up and subscribe to ELLE Decoration here , so our magazine is delivered direct to your door. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Why interior design shows are must-watch TV. It's sometimes available with a 'click-and-lock' installation, which doesn't require any adhesive.

Tongue-and-groove versions will need to be glued into place. Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens. While it's more resistant to warping than solid wood, it's still best avoided in places that it will be exposed to a lot of humidity, such as a bathroom.

It's also best avoided on stairs, where it is time-consuming and fiddly to lay. It can be tricky to achieve a good finish around corners, too — for instance, around sink pedestals. Each solid wood board is made from a single piece of wood, typically mm thick. It is usually fitted using tongue-and-groove. All types of wood have a hardness score, which indicates how easily they can be damaged, dented or worn by everyday wear and tear. Solid wood flooring can be sanded back to restore the finish — the number of times you can do this is determined by how deep the tongue is set from the top of the board.

Anywhere with a relatively consistent humidity. Particularly in hallways and living areas where you can show it off. Reclaimed wood flooring is timber that has been used in another, older property and has been salvaged to be reused. If you live in an old property you might be lucky and discover perfectly preserved original floorboards under decades-old carpet. If not, you can source your own vintage planks. Prices vary depending on where you buy.

Reclaimed timber flooring can be installed anywhere, but it's best avoided in bathrooms where moisture may cause the timber to swell and crack. Installing your floor lengthwise will accentuate the shape of the room.

Meanwhile, light floors coupled with light walls will enhance the sense of space, while a dark floor will ground the room. Dark floors combined with dark walls diminish the room — but can bring warmth and cosiness. What type of light is there in the room?

Natural light, the size of the windows, other lighting and direction of the light, all affect the perception of the floor. The general rule is to install the floor lengthwise towards the window. If the room is long and narrow with windows placed lengthwise, you will have to choose what you feel is more important to accentuate — the shape or light. A good way of creating harmony in your home is to choose floors that match, but are optimal for each space. You could, for instance, choose a 1-strip floor for the living room and its 3-strip equivalent for the bedroom.

Choosing matching mouldings and skirtings will further enhance the sense of unity. Our floors are durable and easy to keep clean. With proper maintenance, your wood floor will retain its beauty for years to come. It is, however, worth bearing in mind that oiled floors demand more maintenance than lacquered ones. Global English. Find a retailer No favourites added. No results found.

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