How to Choose My Wood Flooring - Tried & Tested Floor Types

When it comes to wood flooring, you have a surprising among options to choose from. Each type of wood flooring has its own pros and cons. Depending on your budget and needs, the best wood flooring often depends on a few different factors. Keep reading to find out what factors influence your decisions and six types of wood flooring to consider for your next project. 

In this article: 

• How to Choose the Right Type of Wood Flooring 
• 6 Types of Wood Flooring 

In addition to different types of wood flooring, you also have various finishes, colours, grains, and plank width to consider. Several factors will influence your decision, such as:

• Cost - naturally, some types of wood flooring are cheaper or more expensive than others. Determine your budget and needs before you start shopping around for flooring. 
• Installation - if you need a DIY installation, then laminate flooring is a good option compared to solid wood flooring. 
• Maintenance - think about how much time and effort you want to put into the upkeep of your wood flooring. 
• Room suitability - think about rooms that are more prone to moisture and changes in temperature like kitchens and bathrooms. Some wood flooring isn’t suitable for kitchens and bathrooms, so this is something to consider. 
• Underfloor heating - some wood flooring is compatible with underfloor heating. If this is essential for you, then opt for compatible wood flooring. 

Wooden floors can add warmth, texture, and beauty to a room. It’s important to think about the cost, maintenance, and installation when choosing wood flooring. Here are six types of wood flooring you can install. 

Laminate flooring is a budget-friendly alternative to solid wood flooring. It has an easy click system for easy DIY installation. Modern laminate comes in a range of colours and designs with a natural-looking appearance that mimics real wood. The Egger laminate range uses eco-friendly materials and is moisture-resistant, making it suitable for bathrooms and kitchens. 

Engineered wood consists of a few layers of material glued together to create a single plank with a real top layer of wood. Benefits of oak flooring engineered wood include its hard-wearing top layer, beautiful grain and timeless design. Because of its construction, engineered wood is less prone to expansion and contraction in rooms with varying humidity and temperature. This type of wood flooring is more expensive than laminate but often cheaper than solid wood planks.  

Solid wood flooring is made from one single plank of wood. Naturally, it tends to have a higher starting price point. But it does have a very classic feel to it. If you’re looking to add value to a home, solid wood flooring is a great option. This type of flooring also requires professional installation and can be more prone to shrinkage and swelling in changing temperatures and humidity. 

If you’re looking to make a statement, parquet flooring is a fantastic option. Individual wooden blocks are laid out in a geometric pattern to create a pleasing shape. Herringbone is a popular pattern for parquet flooring and looks timeless yet modern.

The popularity of reclaimed wood flooring has increased in recent times. Reclaimed wood flooring is a timber that has been used for something else and is now being salvaged as flooring. The benefit of this type of wood flooring is that it’s the most environmentally friendly option. You can paint the wood, and the vintage look is very much in style right now. The downside is that the cost is often quite a bit more than buying new floorboards. You also need to watch out for woodworms.  

Although vinyl flooring isn’t technically wood flooring, it does have a wood effect. If you like the look of wood but need something that’s uber durable for practically any environment, RVP vinyl is a great choice. Rigid Vinyl Plank tile is a luxury tile that has noise-reducing, water-resistance, and scratch-resistance properties.

There’s pros and cons to each type of wood flooring. Finding the best wood flooring for you is about determining what the most important factors are. If you need absolute affordability and durability, then laminate flooring is the perfect solution. But, if you’re looking to make a statement, then parquet flooring could be just what you need to enhance your home.