Wood flooring – the stylish environmental option

Wood flooring is a stylish, eco-friendly option that can even increase the value of your home. Here’s why you should consider installing a wooden floor.

Choose from hard or soft wood
flooring to suit your home

Benefits of wood flooring

Most people choose a wooden floor because of its aesthetic appeal - there are a broad range of wood types and colourings available to suit any taste. Laurence Warburton, from Wood Works Flooring in Kent, points out that: “People like wood floors because they are hardwearing. They look great because of the grain and individual characteristics.”

Another major benefit of wood is that it is an eco-friendly, natural and sustainable resource which is very hard wearing. In fact, if maintained well, a hard wood floor could last a lifetime and is attractive to home buyers - a survey by woodflooring.org found that 58% of estate agents questioned said homes with wooden floors are more profitable than ones without.

Wood is also a hygienic flooring choice; according to the Environment, Health and Safety Online, nearly 100,000 dust mites live in a square yard of carpet, which can irritate allergies and respiratory conditions like asthma. A wood floor however, is easier to clean and keep dust free.

Types of wooden flooring

There are many types of wood but hard woods like oak, walnut and maple are the most popular. “People mostly go for oak flooring,” says Matt Sweda, from The Better Wood Company in Bristol. Wood flooring installer Laurence agrees: “Oak is popular because of its golden colour and it’s a very dense wood too,” he says.

Wooden flooring is a hygienic, natural option

Softwoods like pine can be used but are less durable. You might choose to use a soft wood however, to match your existing floors (typical in Victorian Homes) or if you are restoring original floors. You can pick from different plank lengths and widths as well as different finishes such as oil, wax, stain or varnish. “The most popular type of wood varies, it’s definitely a trend thing,” says Laurence. “In 2009, parquet floors were very popular and now people are interested in bamboo floors because of the environmental benefit. They’re cheap and absorb stains well so can be made in lots of colours.”

“The most important thing is to be sure of where you are putting the floor and what you want to achieve,” Laurence explains. While wooden floors are suitable for any home, high traffic areas like hallways need tough, dense boards and you should avoid using them in bathrooms as they can warp from damp. Installing engineered wood for wet rooms is more practical instead.

Maintaining a wooden floor

The longevity of your wooden floor depends on how well you look after it, how heavily it is walked upon and other factors such as whether you have kids or pets. “The worst thing for a wooden floor is to walk on it with high heels, especially on softwood,” says Matt. Dirt and grit from outside can also scratch the floor so you should take care to use mats.

Cleaning wooden floors is important; sweep or vacuum regularly with a hard floor attachment and make sure you only damp mop. “Never use harsh cleaning products, fairy liquid is a good choice,” says Laurence. You can also buy specialist products for oil or lacquered floors.

How much do wooden floors cost?

Price will vary depending on the type of wood and finish, plank sizes and the sub-layer of your floor. To get an idea you should consult several wooden flooring companies for quotes.