Solid Wood Flooring
What is solid wood flooring?
A solid piece of wood, typically 18-22mm thick, makes up each solid wood board. Flooring made from solid wood can be purchased pre-finished or you can also buy and install some products, but they will need to be finished with paint, wax, oils or varnish.
If necessary, it can also be sanded back and retreated once it has been installed. There is a limit to how often you can do this, which varies from product to product and usually depends on how much the board costs. In many homes, solid wood flooring has malfunctioned, or a large gap has opened up after installation.
One of the best ways to avoid a disaster is to make sure your site conditions are suitable before acclimatising your solid wood flooring. The room where the installation will take place must undergo several testing requirements.
In passing these tests, you can ensure that it is safe to acclimate your flooring. Before installing the floor on the site, the cause of any of these failures must be investigated and solved.
● The air humidity should be between 45 and 65%. A hygrometer can be used to test this.
● Moisture content (MC%) of wood subfloors should not exceed 12%
● It is recommended that concrete sub-floors be tested for moisture content and should have an MC% (Moisture Content) no higher than 12% or below 3% on a concrete moisture meter. Check your meter’s documentation if it has varying scales.
● With a ruler and long straight edge, gauge whether the subfloor is level. A difference of no more than 3mm should be allowed in height over 1m. Floors with uneven surfaces should be repaired with self-levelling compounds or plywood.
Pros:
· Popular for its visual appeal.
· Many varieties are available to vary colour and style.
· High ROI.
· Can be resurfaced every 3-5 years.
· Best for shared living spaces.
Cons:
· Expensive compared to other top flooring materials.
· Can develop scrapes, scratches, and dents over time.
· Can incur moisture damage.
How much does solid wood flooring cost?
Depending on the price of raw wood, prices range from 20 pounds to 150 pounds per square metre for exotic hardwoods.
Laminate flooring
What is laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring is made of compressed fibreboard that has a photographic image of wood overlaid on top.
The living room, study and playroom are high-traffic areas and require frequent cleaning. Some products contain a waterproof core that manufacturers say is suitable for bathrooms and kitchens. If you want to tackle these rooms, read our guides to planning for a kitchen and a bathroom.
If you intend to install laminate in these rooms, check the warranty carefully before you buy to make sure you do not exclude it.
How much does laminate flooring cost?
Prices start at £3 per square metre but be aware that the cheapest varieties are slippery and do not look particularly realistic. Bevelled edges, more varied images and embossed features, such as knots, give a more natural look and texture but are also more expensive.
Brands such as QuickStep (around £18-£40 per square metre) and Pergo (around £20-£55 per square metre) offer higher-quality options.
Pros
· Cost-effective.
· Hardwearing.
· Simple to install.
· Wide range of products available.
· Fast installation.
Cons
· Even the most effective laminates won’t look like the real thing.
· The joints wear over time and the laminate can swell.
· Poorly installed laminate can look unsightly.
Engineered Flooring
What is finished parquet flooring?
Each parquet plank consists of three or four layers of wood glued together to form a plank 18 mm to 2 mm thick. On top of this is a 3mm to 5mm thick real wood veneer that can be sanded and treated to restore the original finish if it is worn, scuffed, or damaged.
It is sometimes available with a ‘click-and-lock’ joint that does not require glue. Tongue and groove versions require gluing, which increases installation costs.
Like real wood, the planks can be installed in a variety of patterns, including herringbone, herringbone, stack, brick, basketweave and mosaic.
Where can engineered flooring be installed?
In living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. While it is more durable than solid wood, it should still not be installed in places where it will be exposed to a lot of moisture, such as a bathroom.
It should also not be used on stairs as it is time-consuming and complicated to install. It can also be difficult to get a good finish around corners – for example, around sink pedestals.
Pros
● Because of its construction, engineered wood flooring is more stable than a piece of solid wood and less susceptible to temperature or humidity changes in the room.
● Can be more attractive than laminate flooring.
● Less expensive than comparable solid wood flooring.
● Less maintenance and more stable than solid wood flooring.
Cons
● Tongue and groove planks are more difficult to install than those with click locks.
● Can be more expensive than laminate
● How much do engineered wood floors cost?
● Prices range from around £25 per square metre to more than £180 for expensive woods.
Tiles/wood effect tiles
There are many different types of tiles and homeowners must understand the different installation methods of and the costs involved.
Types of tiles:
Ceramic
When you think of tile, ceramic tiles likely come to mind. And for good reason – they are very popular! You can find examples in stores and online. The famous metro tiles at London Underground and the cracked wall tiles on your kitchen backsplash.
Ceramic tiles have been made for thousands of years and the process has remained essentially the same. They are made of a red or white clay bisque with a decorative glaze applied to the surface and are fired in a kiln at high temperatures to fuse the glaze to the body. In general, ceramic tiles are very durable and easy to clean.
This makes them a good choice for splashbacks and bathroom walls where soap splashes, shampoos and sauces often end up. In general, they are smaller than other types of tile, making them an ideal choice for small DIY jobs.
It’s a common misconception that you can not use ceramic tiles for floors, but that’s the case with cheaper ceramic tiles due to their thickness and durability. Porcelain tiles are becoming more common these days, but ceramic tiles are still a good choice for walls in your home. They may not be as durable, but they come in many different shapes and styles that are up to date in terms of design.
Porcelain
The term porcelain tile is a bit confusing. Technically, a porcelain tile has a water absorption rate of 0.5%, meaning it is nearly waterproof. They are made from finer clays than ceramic tiles and are fired at higher temperatures, making them incredibly dense and hard.
These properties mean that porcelain tiles can be used for almost all walls and floors in the home, as well as heavy traffic floors in shops. Porcelain tiles are divided into two categories: glazed and unglazed porcelain tiles.
Mosaic
Mosaic tiles were first laid by the Ancient Greeks and the Romans. Mosaic tiles are still very popular today and few other floor coverings can rival their intricate look. As you probably know, mosaics are made up of small pieces of tile arranged on a slab. When they are laid and grouted, they create the impression of thousands of tiny tiles – or tesserae, as they are officially called.
Mosaic can be made from a variety of materials such as porcelain, glass, marble, stone, ceramic and even pebbles and come in a variety of shapes. Mosaics are a great way to spruce up your kitchen or bathroom. Therefore, they are often installed in bands or as a special wall.
Because of their small size, you have a lot of joints – this means that mosaics are a great idea to give extra support when needed. For example, many people use mosaic in wet rooms or on patios – proving that you do not have to sacrifice form for function. Excellent for details on walls and splashbacks.
ShapeHouse team of experts can advise the best flooring products to suit your requirement and budget.
Contact ShapeHouse today on 01306735487 or email info@shapehouse.co.uk