When choosing a new floor covering for the home or office, one of the most popular options is timeless, classic wood. Few finishes can match a timber floor for beauty, warmth and longevity. Hygienic, durable and versatile, a wood floor is always a good choice. However, there are a few things to bear in mind when choosing between the options for this type of finish.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is often made from fibre board with a thin layer of wood veneer or wood patterned plastic over the top. Most laminate floors are assembled using a click-and-lock system. In other words, the boards simply slide together and lock into place, meaning no glue or screws are required.
Hardwearing and hardworking, good quality laminate floors can last for many years and require little maintenance beyond regular cleaning with a sponge and soapy water. They are also increasingly durable, with ranges available that will cope well in even the toughest conditions such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Due to the lamination process, the surface of the boards is protected and the click-lock system leaves little room for gapping, creaking and buckling. Many ranges come with guarantees of 10-25 years and, if you want to install your floor yourself, there is no easier option. Simply roll out an underlay for cushioning and warmth and click the boards in place.
Solid Wood and Engineered Wood
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and, of course, laminate is effectively imitating the classic flooring material, hardwood. If you’ve got your heart set on a new solid wood floor, then aim for traditional tongue and groove flooring. However, solid wood tongue and groove flooring is less dimensionally stable than engineered wood, which is made up of layers or strips of wood tightly bound together with advanced adhesives. Solid T&G wood can buckle and separate, and it’s usually much more time consuming to install than an engineered wood floor.
At CCC, we can install an engineered wood floor over your existing subfloor. Timber flooring is beautiful and it can age very well if it’s looked after; it is truly timeless. CCC sources timber flooring from environmentally friendly sources, and in most cases, it can be reused and recycled after use. Our floating timber floors are created using engineered wood strands topped with a layer of solid timber in a number of species and finishes. Like laminate, they can be conveniently clicked into place. With its warmth and classic, traditional appearance, timber flooring works well in almost any setting and provides a durable, elegant finish for any room.
Bamboo
Don’t miss our selection of bamboo flooring. One of nature’s fastest-growing plants, bamboo is an amazingly sustainable material and can be tougher and harder than the wood used in traditional hardwood floors. Available in a range of finishes, bamboo floors look luxurious but are easy to clean, resistant to water and very hard wearing.
