Choosing the Right Wooden Flooring Materials: Life Cycle Considerations

As an architect or contractor, you will be asked to make spaces look beautiful, whilst still allowing them to be highly functional. This is the case whether you are working for a residential or a commercial client. One such area that is of particular interest is that of flooring, and that is because there are so many different materials to choose from.

From plush carpets to wooden floorboards, there is a world of potential out there – yet it is your job to identify the materials that will provide clients with the best results. Therefore it makes sense to have a look at a few different factors that form part of the product life cycle, especially when it comes to more expensive wooden flooring options.

You will want to do the job properly the first time around so it is worthwhile taking the time to do some research. Luckily for you, we have helped you to get started by examining a couple of different types of wooden flooring material that you might want to consider…

Solid wood floors

A solid wood floor is what many would call a traditional choice, including specialist supplier Ted Todd (tedtodd.co.uk). They say that a solid hardwood floorboard can last well over 100 years assuming it is re-sanded during that time. This makes it a popular option for residential projects as well as commercial ones.

However, a key characteristic of a solid wood floor is that the wood does not lie flat, but has subtle contours that respond to the environment. This means that it is a great option for flooring in order to provide character, although there may be more suitable choices for “easy access” environments, such as those used by people in wheelchairs.

It is also worth noting that these floorboards do need to be nailed or glued to the sub-floor, which may affect the speed at which you would expect to complete the job. For a faster installation, you might wish to select engineered wood floorboards instead.

Ideal for: rooms that require flooring with a long life span such as offices, dining rooms and studies.

Engineered wood floors

As mentioned above, engineered wood flooring is an alternative option if you are still keen to use wood as a strong feature in your designs. The idea behind these boards is that layered sections of solid wood are bonded together, increasing strength and resilience. In turn, this means that the tendency to expand and contract is reduced, meaning the wooden boards are less susceptible to movement and more likely to lie flat.

Engineered wooden plants do not need to be nailed or glued to the sub-floor, which can make them an effective option for installations with a limited window of time. These are also a popular option for those who are incorporating underfloor heating into their designs due to their resistance against moisture and heat.

Ideal for: faster installations as well as rooms that will be utilising underfloor heating solutions.