Wood Flooring And What Is Mostly Asked
When we talk to our clients about wood flooring, they have a lot of issues, many of which we have never addressed in our blog previously, such as the hazards of direct sunlight and the pros and cons of laying new wood floors over old. To give you a little more insight from the pros, we thought we’d put together a follow-up FAQs blog and address some more common wood flooring topics…
What is wood grain, and how can I know which one is best for my home?
When wood flooring specialists talk about the grain of the wood, they’re referring to the apparent lines and patterns on the surface of the boards, which are made up of wood fibres.
Depending on the species/type of wood, the grain can vary in density, shape, and size. The grain of oak wood, for example, is normally straight and irregular, but maple wood has interesting and diverse grain patterns. Wood grain is an essential element to consider when choosing your wood flooring since it affects the overall appearance of your floors. Wood with more prominent, thick grain patterns would work best if you’re going for a rustic or antique look, or if you have a more conventional, period home. If you have a contemporary or minimalist home décor, though, you will be OK.
Is solid wood flooring preferable to engineered wood?
Solid and engineered wood flooring have distinct characteristics, but both offer advantages, and which is best for you will be determined by a few considerations.
Engineered wood flooring is more resilient to humidity and temperature fluctuation than solid wood, so it’s better for damp areas or over underfloor heating. It’s also more cost-effective and practical than solid wood. The 20mm Engendered oak flooring now come as the same price of solid oak planks however engineered oak planks can be made thinner and wider offering more economic options for the environment. Solid wood flooring, on the other hand, is theoretically more durable than engineered wood, meaning it can last a lifetime if properly cared for. Solid wood flooring will hold up well in heavy traffic areas has less filler in knot holes and where it may be prone to scruffs and scratches, and when it require restoration, it an be sanded down as much as needed.
Unfinished beveled Herringbone blocks finished with Fiddes dead mat hardwax oil
Is it possible for too much sunshine to discolour wood flooring?
In a nutshell, direct sunlight may cause hardwood floors to fade.
UV rays from the sun degrade the wood’s lignin, a component that hardens and reinforces the cell walls, producing photo-oxidation and colour degeneration.
This can happen in one of three ways: the wood colour fades, darkens, or lightens.
Depending on the wood species, the rate at which it reacts to direct sunlight exposure varies. Exotic woods, such as Brazilian Cherry, react quickly and darken dramatically, but domestic woods, such as Maple, react more slowly and lighten in colour. You should also keep in mind that the type of finish used on the wood flooring might affect how they react to direct sunlight.
The best strategies to prevent direct sunlight from causing damage to your wood flooring are to:
Rearrange your furniture on a regular basis to allow the areas of your flooring covered by rugs or sofas to get some exposure, which will help to even out the discoloration process and ensure a consistent colour throughout the room.
When the sun becomes too strong, use window coverings such as shades, curtains, and drapes to block out the sun and protect your wood flooring.
Install low-e glass windows, which are specialised windows. The quantity of UV light that travels through these windows is limited by a coating.
No water-based finish can protect your floor from fading. However, the better-quality ones will protect it for longer period. If the floor is finished with hard waxed oil, there is a possibility to top up the finish which will feed the floor and take it back to a darker colour again. However, this won’t help if you are trying to prevent a floor darkening.
What effect does wood flooring have on allergies?
Wood flooring has a beneficial effect on allergy patients, particularly those with asthma, which is why so many people prefer it to carpet. Dirt, dust, pollen, and hairs all attract and cling to carpets, causing allergic responses. Meanwhile, pollen, dust, and pet hairs are plainly visible on wood floors and may be swept with a micro fibre mop and entirely removed from the home. Hardwood floors, in fact, are frequently ranked as one of the most allergy-friendly flooring options available.
Why are my wood floors squeaky and noisy?
Loose boards, either caused by a gap between the floor joists and the subfloor or the floor not being connected firmly to the joists, are the most common cause of creaky or loud wood flooring.
The bouncy and moving nature of these loose boards leads them to brush against each other or against a fixing nail or floor joist, resulting in a squeak or creak.
Is it possible to lay fresh wood flooring over an old one?
On concrete or pine boards, wood flooring can be installed. Although we wouldn’t advocate placing a new wood floor over an old wood floor because of the added height and potential for aesthetic issues, it isn’t impossible or wholly unavoidable if you know how. If you opt to install new wood flooring over a wood subfloor, you’ll need to remove the old flooring and make sure the existing wood floor is dry (no moisture or water damage) and level.
What are the most significant threats to my wood floors?
The threats to your wood flooring may differ based on where they are put and the climate in which they are installed.
If you have a large family or frequently entertain guests, your wood floors may be subjected to heavy traffic and mishaps such as scratches and spills, while wood flooring put in a kitchen or bathroom will be more susceptible to water damage.
The following are the most common hazards that most wood floors face and that you should be aware of:
Changes in temperature and moisture (Low Humidity is more of an issue than a high Humidity area)
The wear and tear that occurs with foot traffic
Pets scratches, furniture dings, and shoe dings (Especially High heels)
Spill stains or dirt stains
Heavy things that have fallen onto the floor have left dents and imprints on the floor.
Sunlight exposure
How Much Wood flooring do I need?
If you’re ready to order your wood flooring, make sure you get the proper amount because if there isn’t enough when it’s installed and you want to order more, you might end up with a difficult situation where the product is out of stock or discontinued.
To figure out how much wood flooring you’ll need, first calculate the square footage of the space where it’ll be installed, then add 5-10% to account for cutting and fitting waste.
It’s usually better to order too much flooring and return what you don’t need than to run out before finishing the project.
