Blog – All About Wooden Floors

FLOATING VS. GLUE-DOWN WOOD FLOORING

April 19, 2018January 13, 2020 By natasamaljugic2017 Comment Closed

When it comes to engineered hardwood floors, two common methods of installation are floating and glue-down. The following is a rundown of all the basics you need to know about these two installation methods. The Con’s A floating wood floor can sound hollow or give an echo when walked on. This is due to the impact noise absorption being greatly reduced as it is easier for the sound vibrations to travel between the underlay and wood floor. This hollow sound can be reduced with better quality underlays but a floating floor, regardless of underlay quality, will never have the firm solid sound of a permanently fixed wood floor. As a floating floor is not fixed to the sub-floor, any slight undulations in the sub-floor can result in movement when the floating floor is walked on. It is not uncommon to see furniture move as it is walked past. This phenomenon can also be a result of the slight compression properties of an underlay. Leading...

Parquet Flooring

January 29, 2018January 13, 2020 By natasamaljugic2017 Comment Closed

Parquet flooring consists of wooden pieces arranged in a mosaic-like pattern.It originates from the beginning of the 17th century in France and it is the first parquet pattern invented, nowadays still the first association to this type of flooring. Herringbone is still the most popular pattern gaining fame and fans all around the world, being the perfect balance between durability, solidness and beauty. Herringbone pattern matches any style and design and has the potential to be the focal point of any room by itself. . Parquet floors are available in different quality and price ranges. When laid in intricate designs, parquet flooring can be quite captivating. It has been in use in construction for ages and has improved considerably over the years. There are lots of benefits you can gain from parquet flooring. Some of them are: Beauty and appeal Parquet flooring has a sophisticated look that can be switched up to match any lifestyle, taste, and look you may desire. Since the...

Wood Finishes: Oil vs Lacquer

October 24, 2017November 10, 2017 By natasamaljugic2017 Comment Closed

Choosing the appropriate finish for your hardwood flooring is not only essential to enhancing the natural beauty of the wood, but to ensure that the floors remain protected from the wear and tear of everyday living. It is important to distinguish the difference between wood stain and wood finish. Wood stain simply refers to a colour element, typically liquid, that is applied to the wood that dyes the wood . It contains absolutely no protective barrier for your wood flooring. Wood finish, on the other hand, protects the floor from damage by providing a “shield” on the top layer. Now that we know the difference between staining and finishing, which finish is the best for your application? Historically, urethane finishes have been tremendously popular due to their extreme durability. Whether site finished or shop applied (prefinished), urethane finishes are the most damage resistant. However, this durability comes with several noteworthy drawbacks. Firstly, they are difficult to re coat because the finish is so...

Solid-Engineered-Laminate

October 4, 2017October 4, 2017 By natasamaljugic2017 Comment Closed

How do you choose a wood floor?The style choice is bewildering; take your pick from ash, bamboo, beech, cherry, iroko, maple, merbau, oak, walnut and many others. The next choice is between laminate, engineered and solid wood. Beware cheap laminates; they are to this decade what swirly carpets were to the 1970s - a design disaster that will reduce the value of your home and will be instantly ripped out by new owners. Laminate vs engineered vs solid: A laminate is a piece of plastic with a photographic image of wood grain, mounted on MDF. They cost as little as £5 a square metre and although scratch-resistant, once damaged are non-repairable. Engineered flooring has a veneer of real wood, usually 3-7mm thick, that can be sanded up to five times. It is particularly suitable for use over concrete floors and in kitchens. Solid wood is one piece of wood from top to bottom. As it needs to be nailed to a permanent floor,...