What type of wood flooring is best for your home?

There’s a multitude of options when it comes to wood flooring, so how do you choose the one that’s right for your home and lifestyle?

There are three things to consider when choosing your floor.

• The size of the room
• Who uses the room
• The look or style of other furniture in the room.

The size of the room is important because long and narrow rooms suit a different floorboard compared to wide rooms. Generally, the wider the room the wider plank it can accommodate. A wide plank in a narrow room can make it look even narrower as you’ll have only a few boards spanning the width of the room. Conversely, a wide room with a narrow plank can look very busy with too many rows of planks.

The people (or pets) that use the room will have a large influence on the finish of the flooring. Oiled finish floors look more natural than lacquered floors but can become dirty more easily, as they offer less protection than lacquered alternatives. They can also absorb food, drink and water spills, so think carefully about having an oiled floor in a kitchen or hall where people may be coming in with dirty shoes (or paws). The upshot is that if an oiled floor does become dirty or damaged it can be sanded and re-oiled. However, if you can’t see yourself wanting to re-oil it and want a lower maintenance option, a lacquered floor might be the best choice for you.

Finally, the design style of the room may affect your choice of floor. If your home has a modern theme with high gloss units, lots of glass and stainless steel etc, a lacquered floor with smooth, clean lines would probably suit that area best. If your home is a traditionally styled cottage or barn conversion, a more rustic, oiled floor would be more in-keeping with the look of the property.

Hopefully we’ve given you some help with choosing the right floor for you and your home.  We have an unrivalled range of wood flooring available, and if you need any other advice, give us a call on 0161 928 1696 or drop in to view our extensive flooring showroom, our staff are always on hand to answer your questions.