Probably the most popular types of flooring are those with the look of wood, and of course, in recent years, laminate and vinyl flooring have become a much accepted substitute for real wood floors too. This is because the look is not only equally luxurious but they have various other advantages too, so this can make choosing the right flooring for your specific application quite tricky.
We, as suppliers and expert installers of these products for many years, thought it may be a good idea, therefore, to show some comparisons between them, plus their benefits and applications, to assist you, as a homeowner, guest house owner or business owner, to make the best choice for your specific requirements.
For the uninitiated, when it comes to each flooring type, we’ll start by taking a look at a brief description of what each of these types of wood are, and then talk about their best applications. After that, you can make a more informed decision as to what may be the best floor for you.
Wood Floors
There are several types of wood floors including, Hard Wood, Engineered Wood and even Bamboo floors which aren’t always considered as wood floors but they are every bit as elegant and luxurious – and more environmentally friendly.
Solid or Hard Wood gives your home that really authentic feel. It is the traditional type of very elegant wood used in stately homes and all sorts of posh establishments. Very popular in Cape Dutch homes. Hard Wood floors age with your home and are more durable than other types of wooden flooring due to their resistance to wear and tear.
Engineered Wood flooring is pre-sanded timber, mostly oak. Multiple ply layers that are cross- layered, glued and pressed together with a top thicker hardwood veneer wear layer, which is then glued and pressed on the top surface of the core. This is almost identical to Solid Wood in look and feel but comes in a few more colours and styles.
Benefits and applications
There is no doubt that when it comes to style and sheer elegance, that real wood flooring trumps any other type of flooring and can enhance both residential and commercial spaces, but it comes at a price and although it is very durable, it may require more maintenance in the long term than other more modern counterparts.
Not ideal for very high-moisture areas, Engineered Wood is ideal for areas like entryways, hallways, and living rooms where there is high foot traffic. Be aware though that Wood floors are generally not recommended for wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens due to moisture concerns.
Let us help you choose your preferred flooring
Watch this space for information on Laminate and Vinyl flooring in part 2 – and if you are then still not sure which flooring product is right for you, or you would rather just consult he experts anyway, then contact us.
Better still, pop into the Libra Flooring showroom in Montague Gardens Cape Town where our friendly advisors will be very happy to help you to decide the right floor type, size, colour, and everything else you will need to know.