The Best Wood Flooring for Modern Living

As a homeowner, investing in a new wood floor is an important decision. Having opted for wood you know that you will be adding effortless style and sophistication to your home. The use of wood to add character and warmth is always going to be a popular design choice, but now there are alternatives to consider which might be more attractive than traditional solid wood flooring.

While solid wood floors can take a lot of maintenance and are prone to warping and movement, alternatives such as engineered oak flooring offer the best of both worlds and are ideal for modern living, working with the comforts of underfloor heating for example. It’s important that when spending time and money installing your new hardwood flooring that you make a decision that is best for you, your home & your family.

Things to consider for your wood flooring:

When choosing the best types of wood flooring for your home there are several factors to consider:

•    Appearance
•    Durability
•    Compatibility
•    Cost

When considering these factors and comparing traditional solid wood flooring against wood alternatives such as engineered oak flooring, it is clear why the latter has increased in popularity so rapidly.

What are the benefits of engineered wood flooring?

An engineered wooden floor is one of the best wood flooring choices for a busy home. It is created by layering real solid oak over a plywood base. This creates far more structural stability than solid wood, meaning that the floor is less prone to movement and expansion caused by changes in temperature and moisture. A perfect product for modern installations with underfloor heating or in older refurbishments where solid wood may not be an option due to damp issues (when used with an appropriate DPM). Engineered oak wood flooring is also a perfect choice for use in areas of high traffic, thanks to its ease of maintenance and durability.

The stunning aesthetic effect created by the real wood top layer on engineered oak floor boards means that your floor will be the focus of your home, as opposed to a cheaper-looking material such as wood effect laminate flooring. Whether traditional or contemporary the selection of engineered oak flooring embraces the beautiful markings, grains and knots of solid wood, creating a highly sophisticated and hardwearing wood floor.

An investment in wood flooring is an investment in the future value of your home. Visitors will be drawn to the warmth and elegance of your engineered oak wood flooring and potential buyers will be attracted by the beauty and lifespan of the wood. If properly installed and effectively cared for, your engineered wood floor can literally last a lifetime! This really is a lifetime investment for you and your home.

Engineered flooring is incredibly versatile and adaptable. It is available in an array of looks, finishes and tones. Its hard-wearing and durable qualities mean that it will look good for longer, despite heavy use and footfall. Brushed and oiled finishes are far more forgiving of dust and marks than a gloss finish. Engineered oak is also available in longer and wider boards than you’d normally see in solid wood, so you can achieve the look you desire in any room and unlike traditional wood, it is suitable for use with underfloor heating.

For busy families, and especially parents of young children, one of the most appealing aspects of engineered oak wood flooring is how easy it is to maintain and look after once it has been properly installed and finished. The stress of worrying about stains and spills is minimised as the wooden flooring is easy to clean with a quick wipe of a cloth or wood mop. This also makes it more economical than other types of natural flooring as it takes away the need for expensive cleaning products and treatments.

A wide range of wonderful styles, effects and colours are available in engineered oak. Whether you want a pale and airy effect, or a sumptuous, dramatic feel, the options of light, aged, whitewashed, contemporary, smooth, herringbone, parquet, dark and antique, make engineered oak the perfect choice for any style of property and décor.

When looking at wood flooring options, it cannot be debated that engineered oak flooring is a highly desirable and wonderful investment. It is relatively easy to install (as in most things, preparation is key) and is available in a wide range of finishes, sizes and colours to suit any budget, making them not only a stylish and practical alternative to solid timber floors, but a far more cost-effective one too.

If you are truly trying to recreate the stunning impact and warmth of a traditional solid wood floor, but with a product that allows you to enjoy the comforts of modern living, then engineered oak flooring is an excellent choice. Its use of a solid wood top layer makes it an authentic alternative.

For more advice on the best engineered oak flooring and its installation, contact us at Beswick Oak, or visit our large Cirencester showroom to view our stunning oak flooring collections.