Timber flooring, which is also known as hardwood flooring, is a common type of flooring made from timber, which is turned into planks. This type of flooring is well-known due to its natural wood beauty, comfort, and long lifespan. However, timber flooring has some drawbacks that should be considered before deciding on choosing the best flooring type based on your place features and your interests. In this article, both pros and cons of hardwood flooring will be discussed in detail. Hope this full guide about timber flooring’s positive and negative sides can help you in the correct decision.
Types of timber flooring
Timber flooring as a popular flooring choice among customers has three main types which are listed below:
Solid timber flooring
This type of timber flooring is made of solid parts of timber. Solid timber flooring can be refinished and sanded many times. This flooring type is less sustainable than other types of timber flooring, so it is a good option to be used in low-traffic areas such as bedrooms.
Engineered timber flooring
Engineered timber flooring is made of a hardwood veneer as the top layer which is stuck to the plywood or high-density fiberboard layers as the underside layers. Due to its high resistance and longer lifespan, engineered timber flooring is a recommended option for high-traffic areas such as living rooms and offices.
Bamboo flooring
This type of timber flooring is made out of bamboo plants. Bamboo flooring is mostly known because of its perfect finish and its longevity. Considering the longevity of this flooring, it is a good option to be used in places such as living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, entryways, and offices.
The benefits of timber flooring
Timber flooring is one of the most beloved flooring types because of its unique features that are listed below:
- Classic wood appearance: Timber flooring adds a great and warm sense of wood to the place and that is why this type of flooring is one of the best choices in interior designs.
- Durability and longevity: Timber flooring can remain with minimum damage for many years if it is installed and maintained properly.
- Increased house value: Timber flooring in a property can add more value to the house price at the time of selling it as it is preferred by most of the home buyers.
- Anti-allergy and easy to clean: Unlike rugs and carpets, which are open to dust, allergens, and dirt, timber flooring is a perfect choice, especially for people with pets or the ones who are vulnerable to allergies.
- Multiple refinishing options: By using timber flooring, it is possible to polish, sand, and refinish the flooring multiple times. This feature can help have a timber flooring with a longer life span in addition to the possibility of changing its finish every time.
Timber flooring, a great flooring choice for different sections of a home like bedrooms
The cons of timber flooring
Although timber flooring has many positive aspects some of which have been mentioned earlier, it also has its drawbacks that may make the customer think one more time before going for this type of flooring. Here are the disadvantages of timber flooring that should be considered before being selected as the flooring option.
- High cost: Timber flooring is generally more expensive than other types of flooring because of its installation and materials.
- Regular maintenance: Although it is easy to clean and remove dirt, dust, or allergens from the timber flooring, it is more vulnerable to scratches and dents and it should be regularly checked by the flooring professionals.
- Moisture sensitivity: as timber flooring is made of natural wood, it can absorb water and generally moisture easily which can lead to wood-rot if it is not cared for properly.
- Foot noise during the time: As the timber flooring lifespan gets longer, it is common to hear noises when walking on the timber floored area.
- Environmental sensitivity: timber flooring is made of natural wood, and it is normal to see changes caused by environmental changes such as cold warm, or humid weather.
Hardwood flooring needs careful maintenance as it is vulnerable to scratches and dents
Conclusion
Timber flooring like types of flooring has its advantages and drawbacks, but by choosing this flooring option based on the type of the place correctly and maintaining it carefully considering all necessary points, you can benefit from a wonderful wood-looking flooring along with a long lifespan and variety of colors and finishes. We highly recommend you have a flooring consultation with our flooring experts in Melbourne before choosing your desired flooring type for your place.