flooring
Timber Flooring
Wood floors have a long history all over the world. They add a natural character and warmth that is so popular, that even products with different materials aim to copy the look.
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Wooden floors are mostly grown from sustainable and renewable woods. There are several options to choose from in wooden floors. We will explain them briefly first and then get into the pros and cons of using wooden floors.
Types of Timber Flooring:
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Timber tongue and groove flooring
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​In tongue and groove flooring solid timber pieces about 20mm thick are joined. Tongue and groove flooring need to be installed on pieces of timber that are about 50-60cm apart from each other. That way the timber can breathe on all sides.
The advantage of using tongue and groove flooring is that it is natural and that no potentially dangerous glues or other things required. The floor is either screwed or nailed onto the timber below.
Drawback in a tongue and groove floor is that it can potentially warp and does shrink as well as expand, leaving potentially small spaces in between the floor boards.
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Engineered timber flooring​
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Engineered timber flooring is made out of three separate layers of timber, usually pine. They are glued on top of each other with the wood grain going into different directions to ensure the engineered wood will not warp. On top of the three engineered layers is a layer 4-7mm thick that is the actual timber floor, this is most of the time a different type of timber like oak or bamboo or many others.
Engineered timber flooring needs to be put onto a flat and ready surface, either another timber or concrete floor. Engineered timber floors are joined together by a tongue and grove system. Those systems sometimes do still require glue in between the joining engineered timber floor pieces.
As the floor is not directly joined to the floor underneath, it is so to speak swimming above, hence also called a swimming floor.
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​Cork flooring
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Cork is the bark of the cork tree. Cork is a fast growing, renewable and sustainable resource. Cork is softer and feels warmer than other wooden floors. We all know cork from wine bottles or pin up boards. Cork flooring can either come in a rolled version that is glued to the floor or in a tile version that is clicked/ glued together.​
Advantages of timber floors:
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Timber floors are made of natural and renewable resources
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Timber floors are easier to clean a spillage from than for example carpets
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Timber floors are non-allergenic
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When a part is walked through, the timber floor can be sanded and again oiled or waxed, giving it a high lifetime compared to carpet
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Areas with wood floors have less dust than areas with carpets, cleaning is quick and easy with a damp mop
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There are countless of timber options, adding lots of character to your home and rooms
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Disadvantages of timber floors:
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Timber floors do not work well together with underfloor heating as the timber expands, contracts and absorbs a large part of the heat of the underfloor heating, making it not very efficient
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Timber floors are louder when walked on with shoes than carpet
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Natural timber floors do lose colour as sun light shines upon the floor
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There is a potential of water damage if a spillage is left and not cleaned up
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Wooden floors can get scratched by dogs sliding around, stones in the shoes and the sort
