Know Your Options For Timber Look Flooring
With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which type of timber look flooring will best suit your needs in terms of cost, appearance and wear resistance.
Engineered Timber
Engineered timber is made from softer timbers sandwiched together then laminated with a hardwood surface. They are also called ‘floating floors’ and are usually pre-coated and cured in the factory so that they can be installed and walked on straight away. It’s a very stable material, mid-priced and in some cases, can be snapped together without need of nails and is quick and easy to install, unlike hardwood floors. Through innovative manufacturing techniques, engineered timber is now a viable alternative to solid timber, and is also a more sustainable choice as it only uses a veneer of natural timber.
Laminate Timber
If you want a timber floor, but your budget won’t stretch for it, consider a laminate floor with a timber look. Laminate floors are made to look like real timber and they offer the same stain, the same graining – and even the same texture!
Laminate consists of 4 layers, which are heat pressed together in one large sheet, then cut into various sizes. Laminate boards have a specific joining system to ensure a structurally stable floor.
Laminate flooring comes pre-finished so there is no need for sanding and coating and they come in an extensive range of hues and colours to suit your taste and requirements.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is extremely hard wearing, lightweight and stable.
It is also an environmentally friendly flooring resource adding quality and warmth to any home. Bamboo is a hardwood that is stable under both wet and dry conditions – it has minimal expansion and contraction meaning that it does not move. It comes in a range of styles and colours and because it is pre-finished, installation is fast. Bamboo can be installed over concrete, plywood, particleboard, and existing hardwood floors or even upon joists. It is also very hypoallergenic.
Loose Lay Vinyl Planks
Vinyl planks are planked versions of sheet vinyl. There are different kinds of finishes, which can be applied to vinyl plank, increasing their durability. One of the most commonly used finishes is the coating of satin urethane, which prevents dirt and scratches on the floor. Today luxury vinyl plank flooring is a popular choice for homeowners because of its resistant properties, luxurious feel and fashionable designs.
Once you have decided which type of flooring will best suit your needs, it is time to select the colour, style and grain. Our team of experts are ready to guide you step-by-step through this phase and offer you sound advice throughout your selection process.
To help you better decide on what timber flooring material to get, come and see our timber flooring products up close by visiting one of our Tile Wizards store branches near you, located across Australia in and around Adelaide (Lonsdale, Richmond, Para Hills West), Sunshine Coast (Bokarina), Brisbane (Springwood), and in Coffs Harbour.
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How to Clean and Maintain Timber Flooring
Tile Wizards shares these helpful tips on how to maintain and properly clean laminate, bamboo, loose lay vinyl and engineered timber flooring to keep them looking beautiful and last for many years…READ MORE