Types of Wood Flooring: A Guide for Homeowners

Introduction

While multifarious flooring materials are readily used across the industry, there is something about wooden floors that captures your attention at first glance. Their finesse and charm are unparalleled, contributing to the overall aesthetics of a house’s interiors. Besides, they don’t even need any unique embellishment or décor design, as the natural wooden fibres, when stained properly, elevate the beauty and elegance of the floors with several notches. So, if you are planning to construct such a floor or renovate the existing one, it’s time to deepen your knowledge base further. 

In this comprehensive guide, we have illustrated different types of wood flooring commonly preferred for various interior design statements, like engineered wood, laminate wood, and bamboo flooring. Besides explaining these categories, we have also illustrated the four types of wood finishes you can choose from, along with the recent market trends in wooden flooring. Do not worry much, as we will also give you a brief walkthrough of a few maintenance tips to prolong the durability and longevity of wooden floors. 

Types of wood flooring

Six major types of wood flooring have been explained below, along with their features, advantages, and disadvantages so that you can make a well-informed decision for your safe abode. After all, wooden flooring requires a substantial upfront investment, and proceeding further without a clear picture could render your decision inaccurate. So, let’s explore the options you have in hand!

Solid hardwood flooring

Features

1. Thickness usually ranges between ¾ inches and 5/8 inches. 
2. Made from a single wooden piece, like oak, cherry, maple, and chestnut. 
3. Wider planks and narrow strips will be available for solid hardwood flooring in terms of width.
4. If well-maintained, solid hardwood pieces will be more durable and long-lasting than any other flooring material. 
5. Sanding and refinishing can be done multiple times without compromising surface quality. 

Pros

• It can last for over a decade
• Staining or finishing options are versatile
• Adds to the overall property value
• It makes the space warmer and more elegant

Cons 

• Upfront costs are significantly high
• It needs periodic sanding and refinishing
• Prone to swelling and warping in humid regions

Engineered wood flooring

Features

1. Composite materials form the core and are arranged in cross-grain patterns.
2. Engineered wood flooring looks almost identical to solid hardwood, thanks to the top veneer layer.
3. Multiple installation methods are suitable, including nail-down, glue-down, and floating.
4. Best suited for basements and ground-level floors. 
5. The engineered wooden pieces are highly resistant to scratches and dents. 

Pros

• Highly resistant to changes in moisture content in the air
• Cost-effective flooring solution
• It can be installed over different sub-flooring types, even concrete
• Eco-friendlier due to less use of hardwood

Cons 

• Refinishing or sanding cannot be done repeatedly
• Cheaper options do not exhibit higher durability
• Prolonged exposure to moisture could cause damage

Laminate flooring

Features

1. Multiple layers are laminated together, like a top wear layer and a core layer made from MDF.
2. Appearance resembles that of a hardwood plan, stone pieces, or ceramic tiles owing to the high-resolution photographic layer. 
3. Multiple customization options will be available in terms of colour, plank width, and styles.
4. Laminate floors offer mid-range durability to moderate spills. 
5. It requires moderate maintenance with regular sweeping. 

Pros

• Much less expensive
• Clock-and-lock system can be used for installation
• Multiple styles are available in the market
• Resistant to scratches and other forms of surface damage

Cons 

• If damaged once, it needs to be replaced
• It cannot replicate the feel of natural hardwood or stone tiles
• Prone to damage when exposed to prolonged humidity

Bamboo flooring

Features

1. Natural bamboo is known for its smooth and light appearance.
2. Staining or carbonization techniques are often used for darker finishes.
3. Compressed bamboo fibres or strips are used to manufacture the flooring planks.
4. Strand-woven bamboo is said to be one of the hardest flooring materials.
5. Known as one of the most sustainable types of wood flooring. 

Pros

• Renewable and eco-friendly
• Modern and sleek look with a higher aesthetic appeal
• Highly durable and resistant to dents and scratches
• It can be used for versatile interior styles

Parquet flooring

Features

1. Smaller wooden pieces are arranged in geometric patterns, like chevron, Versailles, and herringbone. 
2. Both solid hardwood and engineered wood can be used. 
3. Adds more sophistication with a distinct look to the interior design.
4. You will get multiple options in terms of colours, sizes, and finishes. 
5. Period cleaning and refinishing will be needed.

Pros

• It has a higher aesthetic appeal
• Suitable for both modern and traditional designs
• Long-lasting and highly durable
• Increases the overall property value

Cons 

• Intricate pattern creation and extensive labour increase upfront investment
• Requires skilled workers for installation
• Prone to warming and mold infestation

Reclaimed wood flooring

Features

1. Made from repurposed wooden pieces salvaged from older structures.
2. Known to have unique imperfections, including patina, nail holes, and others that add more to the overall character.
3. Eco-friendlier wooden flooring as it reduces the need to chop down trees for hardwood.
4. It can be customized to give a variety of looks, from modern to rustic and industrial.

Pros

• Wood repurposing reduces waste generation
• Each wooden piece is said to have a distinct look
• Harder and more resilient than modern lumber

Cons 

• It needs to be sanded or refinished extensively to give a newer look
• Requires frequent maintenance to prevent wear and tear

Wood flooring finishes

Matte finish

1. It provides a natural appearance with a lower sheen
2. It doesn’t reflect too much of the incident light
3. Known for its timeless elegance
4. Masks the imperfections of natural wood
5. Highlights the underlying wooden grain patterns

Satin finish

1. Medium-level sheen and reflectivity 
2. Offers excellent protection against scratches and stains
3. Better for high-traffic areas 
4. Highlights the wooden grain patterns and colours subtly 
5. Hides dirt and minute scratches

Glossy finish

1. Reflects the incident light completely
2. It gives a polished and neat appearance
3. Resistant to wear and tear with higher durability
4. Requires regular cleaning
5. Best suited for luxury and premium interior styles

Oil finish

1. Penetrates the wooden planks to enhance the natural grains
2. Ideal for low-traffic areas
3. It doesn’t offer high resistance to scratches and wear and tear
4. Preserves the wood’s natural feel
5. Made with natural and low-VOC components

Trends in wood flooring

1. The use of wider wooden planks with a dimension ranging between 5 and 12 inches creates a luxurious and spacious feel. 
2. For brightening the rooms, light-toned woods like ash, bleached, or white oak finishes are often used. 
3. Preservation of wood’s natural beauty and enhancement of the grain patterns are preferred by using a matte surface finish. 
4. To add texture, wooden floor surfaces are often hand-scraped. 
5. The use of parquet flooring designs has become more significant as you can create unique geometric patterns and add more depth to the interior character. 

Maintenance tips for wood flooring

1. While sweeping, always prefer a soft-bristle broom to avoid scratching the wooden surface. 
2. Do not use water to clean the wooden surface if no water-resistant coating is present.
3. Use furniture pads to prevent scratches while moving the heavy furniture units.
4. Rugs and doormats in high-traffic areas can prolong the wooden flooring’s durability. 
5. Maintain stable moisture levels in the interiors to prevent warping and swelling of the wooden planks. 

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