Wood Flooring

Types of Wood Flooring Available at Wood Floors Direct

There are many different types of flooring made from different types of trees, and it can be very confusing when you go to the lumber store or home center and ask for advice on what kind of flooring best suits your needs. 

Here at Wood Floors Direct, we stock the most popular wood flooring types, their basic characteristics, and how they relate to your project.

Laminate flooring

Laminate floors are made of several materials, including wood fibers, peat, fibreglass, cork, and mica. Each piece of laminate has a top and bottom layer that is held together with interlocking fasteners. Laminate floors can be sanded and refinished.

From rustic oak to classic maple, you’ll find plenty of options in all-in-one laminate flooring systems with a high design aesthetic. Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of colours, so you can pick up the colours that carry through throughout the decor of your home.

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Engineered wood flooring

Engineered wood flooring, also known as “click-system” or “floating” floors, is made from several types of wood products with different properties and appearances. It is made in a series of layers that are cross-grained to each other, giving each layer strength and stability. 

The top layer of engineered wood flooring looks like solid wood, but is actually a very thin and very flexible veneer. This allows engineered wood flooring to be installed without the need for any adhesives or additional support under the planks. The main advantage is that engineered wood floors can be sanded and refinished like a solid wood floor.

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Solid wood flooring

Solid wood is versatile and can be installed in homes throughout the country. It is generally less expensive than engineered flooring because it is manufactured from solid rather than combined material. 

Whole, unfinished pieces of heartwood and sapwood are used to make boards. Solid wood flooring consists of three main materials: kiln-dried hardwood (including oak, butternut, maple, ash, elm, pine, hickory, poplar), non-kiln-dried hardwood.

Solid wood flooring differs from laminate flooring primarily because of its core. In solid wood the core is solid wood, in laminate flooring it is fiberboard or plastic (adhesive).

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Reclaimed wood flooring

Reclaimed flooring is truly unique reclaimed wood sourced from old burned down buildings, barns and ships. Reclaimed wood flooring offers a timeless, natural look that can make any room feel cosy. Adding sanded salvaged wood to your space not only creates an inviting atmosphere for any decor it also gives you natural warmth.

Reclaimed wood flooring is carefully selected with unique and different nuances that can only be found in reclaimed boards of wood. Each plank of reclaimed wood flooring contains the figure, knots, scars and finish of its original environment. 

When placed in your home where the sunlight hits it, each plank will have its own unique characteristics that will appeal to your senses and attract attention from anyone who enters your home. 

Call Wood Floors Direct today at 01273 257 187 for your reclaimed wood flooring.

What Are The Advantages of Wood Flooring?

While there are many different types of wood flooring available, there are also a number of advantages to choosing wood flooring over other materials. When you are ready to replace your flooring or install new flooring for the first time, consider the benefits that hardwood floors have to offer which includes;

Durability

Built to Last – Wood floors last much longer than most other flooring materials, including most hard floor surfaces. While it depends on the particular species and installation process of your floor, most commercial installations will last from 17 to 50 years. Thus, you can rest assured that the wood flooring in your home will be there for you when you need it.

Wood flooring suffers less wear and tear than tile or stone, and is much easier to repair than. Even the toughest scratches can be buffed out of wood with a few swipes from a cloth. Wood won’t crack when frozen, either, unlike many other materials.

Maintenance & hygiene

Wooden floors are a popular flooring choice in the UK. They are easy to maintain, requiring no specialist cleaning products that you wouldn’t have in your kitchen cupboard. Hard Wood is an environmentally friendly option, and they come with added benefits, such as being kind to your feet due to the natural oils in timber.

Timeless style

Wood flooring is timeless; style and elegance will never go out of fashion. Practically impervious, wood floors can add a touch of class to any room regardless of the style you want to achieve. Wood is resilient, even if you have pets or children, it can still look stunning. 

Soak up the feel of beautiful wood under your feet with a real hardwood floor from Wood Floors Direct today!

Great investment

Wood floors are considered to be a great investment for you and your family. The durability and inherent insulating properties of wood flooring make it a wise choice for rooms that will see heavy traffic, like your kitchen and living room. Plus, there is a huge variety of styles, colours, and textures to suit any home design or decorating ideas you may have.

Browse selection and order the perfect wood flooring for your project today.

What Are The Types of Wood Flooring Finishes?

Sealing and finishing your wood floors will protect them from soiling, staining and structural damage like scratches. The right finish for the kind of floor you have is important when it comes to looking after your investment and making sure it lasts. There are many types of wood flooring finishes—from clear finishes that create a natural aesthetic, to coloured coats that feature unique patterns. Here’s what you need to know.

Water-based polyurethane

Water-based polyurethane is a finish that provides the look of a high-gloss finish without the worries of repeated cleanings. It is a finish which is prepared using only pure water and polyurethane. 

This water-based polyurethane floor finish protects your hardwood floor from scratches and resoiling. This long lasting paint-like finish helps bring out the natural beauty of your wood floors while shielding them from traffic problems.

Oil-based polyurethane

Polyurethane oil-bsed sealants are usually used on wood floors and feature a deep, glossy finish. Sealants are especially useful in high-traffic areas, or rooms where humidity is an issue. This type of finish is able to be poured or sprayed on the flooring. It is ideal because of its solvent and moisture resistance, ease of application, and high durability.

Aluminum oxide

Aluminum oxide is a tough finish for wood floors. It is a fine abrasive, and it will stand up to foot traffic well. Its low luster character makes it an excellent choice for areas where light reflectivity is called for. One of the biggest benefits of this finish is that water will not hurt the flooring at all.

Natural oils

Natural oils are the oldest and most traditional semi-gloss finish that are perfect for high traffic areas. Like its name states, a natural oil finish does not need a protective topcoat. It is also the preferred finish when installing wood floors in living areas due to its scratch and stain resistance. The versatility of a natural oil floor is what makes it so popular today.

Hardwax

Hardwax oil sealers are the most common type of finish that can be found in both laminate and solid wood floors. It’s a simple process that involves applying an oil-based sealer that will protect the wood against stains, water, and other elements. Hardwax finishes range from light to dark but you can always add an additional coat to make the finish darker should you wish.

Examples of Wood Floor Patterns and Designs

Wood floors are available in a wide variety of styles and with many different combinations of wood species and grain patterns. Some styles reflect the more common 3/4 plank pattern or random-width planks, while others offer very elaborate patterns such as herringbone, herringbone cadet, parquet and all other types of wood flooring patterns. 

The bottom line is that you can choose the wood flooring style that best suits your own personal tastes, the overall decor of your home, which room you plan to install them in and many additional factors. Below are some popular patterns and designs we stock at Wood Floors Direct, Brighton;

Herringbone Parquet

Herringbone parquet floor is a wood floor pattern whose feature lines are oriented at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal and vertical axes of the room, making it a diagonal floor pattern. The grain pattern of herringbone flooring runs at a 45-degree angle to the walls creating a diamond dot effect. 

Call us today if you need this king of pattern for your wood flooring.

Chevron Parquet

Chevron parquet is actually not a style, it’s a technique of wood flooring that creates a beautiful pattern in wood. Chevron parquet is characterized by the recessed parallel lines that run along its length and add interest to any space while creating a unique depth to the surface.

Mixed-Width

Mixing-Width floors is a great way to bring different elements in wood that were once thought to be not versatile. Finesse wide planks, thin slats and rustic tones all together to create a hardwood floor that will echo your taste and needs.There are many design variations of this classic, but the most common are mixed-width plank and solid-width plank. 

Horizontal / Diagonal Strip

Horizontal (sometimes referred to as parallel) strip patterns and designs are some of the most popular choices for homeowners looking to update or create a new look on their wood floors. 

These flooring patterns are most often created using hardwood strips that are regularly spaced in a specific width, such as 3/4″ thickness and installed side by side over a given area. Horizontal strip floors look great when used as a focal point, added to an existing design, or used to add dimension to a room.

Call 01273 257 187 to place an order today.

Popular Wood Species to Choose From

Wood flooring can make any home more user-friendly and attractive. The many species of wood available not only come in a wide range of colours, but varieties like oak will naturally darken over time to develop an even richer patina. Wood floors offer an ideal surface for families, pets, and furniture. 

With the use of finishing products on woods, homeowners also have the option of making their floor as glossy or matte as they like. 

Below are popular wood species to choose from; 

Oak flooring

Oak is a classic hardwood choice that has long been the standard in more traditional homes. It is one of the most popular species for wood flooring, giving it a natural finish and a beautiful appearance. Its dark colour, straight grain and natural durability make it a great choice for both bedrooms and kitchens alike.  It’s available in planks of various lengths, and thicknesses. 

Need oak flooring for your home? Call Wood Floors Direct today at 01273 257 187. 

Walnut flooring

Walnut is a rich, thick and dense hardwood that has the ability to change colors depending on its exposure to direct sunlight. It’s dimensional stability, high natural oils and natural resistance to water and insect damage make it an ideal wood floor for areas with heavy wear-and-tear.

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Maple flooring

Maple is the wood of choice when you’re looking for something truly beautiful. It’s so hard that nails and screws stay put for decades, even centuries. 

The wood can be finished with a wide range of customized colors, or left in its natural hue, and it’s generally less expensive than comparable oak flooring. Globally sourced from North America and Europe, maple is a species of tree that has leaves with five points – this gives it a unique look and feel that can’t be confused with any other type of flooring.

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Hickory flooring

Hickory is a dense, hard wood that is ideal for use in flooring and for many other applications. Along with being decay-resistant, it provides good sound absorption while providing a comfortable walking surface. It also holds paint and finishes well.

Mahogany flooring

Rich and darkly coloured, mahogany is an exotic wood that grows only in the equatorial regions and nowhere else in the world. It features a straight grain with no knots, delivers a high-gloss sheen and exhibits strong natural durability.

Teak flooring

Teak wood has natural durability that lasts a lifetime and can be stained or painted in any colour that compliments the room. It is so easy to maintain simply wash with soap and water to keep it looking new!

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Pine flooring

Pine has long been a popular wood flooring choice because of its durability and fine-grained texture. It is also easy to work with tools and machines, making it an ideal option for both professional and DIY installation. Pine comes in a variety of varieties, colours and treatments, creating endless opportunities for you to get the look you want from your floor.

Cork flooring

Cork flooring comes in a variety of styles, colours and designs. Installed in 1 single layer or multiple layers, it is eco-friendly as it adds warmth to a room year round and does not contain toxic fumes. It has the natural ability to reduce sound in an acoustic setting. Its “waterfall edge profile” gives it a very realistic look similar to real wood.

Bamboo flooring

Bamboo flooring is an environmentally friendly type of flooring made from the bamboo plant. Although similar in appearance to wood, a bamboo floor is 100% green, natural and renewable. It is also a wood product that is manufactured using non-toxic glues or other products during the entire manufacturing process and it is considered to be both a hardwood and a grassland grass as well.

Are You Ready To Install Wood Floor For Your Home?

Need a new floor? Turn to Wood Floors Direct for the widest selection of wood flooring options around. From hardwood floors to vinyl or laminate flooring, we have the product for you. 

Choose from an array of wood types and styles to complement your own personal style and taste. We deliver both in Brighton and throughout the UK. 

Call us at 01273 257 187 to book a quote or simply fill our online form to place a request.

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