By Rami Moorosi
Tielman Malherbe of Malco Flooring says: “A solid wooden floor lasts the lifetime of your house and should therefore be considered a wise investment.’ Besides aesthetic appeal, a wooden floor is ideal for people with allergies, as it does not trap dust or fumes and is also a natural insulator.
Laminate is a good affordable option. Experts from Flooring Depot note that laminate is a pressed wood board on which a printed surface and clear scratch-resistant coating are heat-pressed together. The result is a durable floor covering that has similar visual and physical properties to those of solid wooden floors.
Engineered wooden floors offer a natural and stable alternative to a totally solid floor. These are made up of cross-laminated, multi-layered real wood, which provides stability and allows one to have a slightly wider plank than a solid wood plank. This is also eco-friendly as construction makes maximum use of raw materials.
Professionals from Barrow Flooring comment that there is a wide range of woods that are used from the classics like Oak, Ash, Beech or Maple, to the more exotic Hevea, Merbau, Walnut, Jatoba and Saligna, to name but a few. Wood is also available in different grades from first-grade wood to third-grade wood.
Today, the maintenance of wood is really simple – a good sweep or vacuum is usually sufficient for everyday dust and dirt. Wet spills must be dried immediately to avoid staining. Commercial cleaning products should also be avoided as they tend to build up a residual layer on the floor.
Things to remember
• First determine your budget, then look at colours and finishes within the budget range.
• Consider the amount of traffic moving over your floor, as high traffic areas will need hard timbers.
• Consider species, grade and hardness of the wood.
• Always use reputable professionals.
Questions you should ask your supplier
• How can I best take care of my floor?
• If it is pre-finished wood, ask what type of finish it is and how many coats does the manufacturer use to finish the wood. Will the finish withstand a reasonable amount of traffic?
• Is it UV-resistant?
• Does the manufacturer provide a warranty?
• What is the average length of the boards?
• Does the wood come from sustainable forests and is the manufacturing process environmentally friendly?
Wood is renewable, sustainable and 100% recyclable, making it an eco-friendly product. That said, it is always important to ask your supplier if the wood that it uses comes from sustainable forests ensuring that the environment is not harmed. It is advisable to purchase wooden flooring products from companies that are FSC certified.
With thanks to: Barrow Flooring, Carpet World, CCS Solid Wood Floors, Kährs Genuine Wooden Floors, Flooring Depot, Interior Wooden Floors, Malco Flooring,
Rhoms Timberworld, Sharp Move Trading and Tree-Mendes Wooden Floors.
