Wooden flooring makes the perfect backdrop to many room decoration schemes. It adds character and grace to your floor and as it comes in many forms there is always a type of wooden flooring which will go with the color scheme and mood you have in mind.

Old Floorboards

You may already be blessed with wooden floorboards in your home and if you have an old home the old boards may very well be full of character and worth exposing. The main thing to check is that they are in a good state of repair and that you do not have large gaps between them as this can create drafts. If they are in a suitable state for restoration, you can have them sanded down and refinished to give a cost effective and attractive floor.

Modern Floorboards

Modern floorboards are likely to be less attractive and narrower than old seasoned boards but nevertheless they can be stained or painted to provide a good base for your room.

Solid Wood

You can buy new solid hardwood flooring planks to lay on top of your old flooring. The best planks are thick and have few knots and imperfections. Wide planks are more expensive than narrow ones but they tend to look more expensive too. Solid wood floors are generally sealed to protect them from water and stains but you still have to take care as copious amounts of water will damage the wood. This makes solid wood flooring unsuitable for kitchens and bathrooms.

Re-engineered Wood

Re-engineered wood is made up of layers. It has a base layer of cheaper wood such as plywood and then a thinner layer of more expensive and attractive hardwood on top. This wood offers a great solution for those on a tight budget as the top layer is still thick enough that it can be sanded if the floor gets damaged.

Laminated Wood

Laminated wooden flooring consists of a thin layer of wood veneer or a wood image glued to a fiberboard or plywood base. This type of flooring can not be sanded in order to restore it as the top layer would be easily worn away. On the other hand, it is easy to lay and much cheaper than other types of wooden flooring. Be careful about buying cheap laminates with prices too good to be true however as they may buckle and bend and the surface may peel away.

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