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4 Top Wood Flooring Options for your Home

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    As a homeowner the biggest challenge one faces is when one has to select flooring. Whether you are planning to replace the old flooring or install new for the first time, it is overwhelming to see the choices available in the market. Ranging from solid wood flooring, laminate, vinyl to engineered flooring, you will find a wide range online.

    Every form of flooring has its benefits and limitations, and what works well in one area may not work well in another. So, before you begin your floor installation task, read this article. We have mentioned the details of the most popular flooring materials. Once you know all about these floor types, then you can effortlessly choose a floor that is perfect for your requirements and budget.

    Solid Hardwood Flooring

    Solid wood flooring is popular because it complements every type of home décor. 

    It can also be refinished several times in a lifetime to bring back its shine and remove scratches. Hardwood flooring raises the resale value of your house. Also, hardwood flooring is quite simple to keep clean. All you need to do is sweep the floor frequently and mop up immediately as soon as any liquid spills. 

    You can install solid oak flooring yourself as a simple DIY activity and save the installation cost. The solid wood floorboards are fitted by nailing them to a wood subfloor.

    The solid wood planks can be manufactured out of a variety of wood species, including oak, maple, walnut, mahogany and teak. One can also go with oak herringbone flooring as it looks aesthetically beautiful and is durable as well.

    The main disadvantage of solid oak flooring is that it does not hold up well to heavy traffic and it is susceptible to scratches and dents. Also, it can warp due to moisture fluctuations, making it unsuitable for bathroom or laundry areas. Temperature variations can cause it to contract and expand.

    Engineered Wood Flooring

    Engineered wood flooring resembles genuine wood but its manufacturing process is not the same as that of solid wood. It features a thin natural wood layer on top and then multilayers of plywood beneath. As a result, engineered wood flooring is both less expensive and more durable. 

    Engineered wood flooring can mimic the look of actual wood for a fraction of the cost. One can even afford exotic wood species which are more scratch-resistant. Engineered oak flooring is more sturdy than solid hardwood and less susceptible to temperature and humidity fluctuations, making them a viable option for bathrooms, laundry areas and basements.

    Numerous varieties of engineered wood flooring may be put directly on concrete as opposed to hardwood. A few of them can also be fitted directly over the existing solid wood flooring. This can save the time and money of tearing out the old one. 

    Installing engineered floors is an easy DIY task because of the click and lock mechanism and can help you save the fitting cost.

    Vinyl Flooring

    Vinyl flooring is available in tile or sheet form and is ideal for both home and office use. Vinyl is recommended for usage in kitchens and bathrooms and commercial spaces since resilient floors are more enduring, simple to clean and maintain, and moisture resistant. Vinyl is an affordable flooring material and when you can pick this material when you are low on budget.

    Laminate Wood Flooring

    Laminate flooring is made of a thin top photographic layer over layers of plywood, similar to engineered wood flooring. The top layer, which is not wood but a photographic image, is protected by a transparent plastic film. Due to the photographic layer, laminate can mimic various surfaces such as wood, stones, tiles, or almost any other surface.

    Laminate flooring can imitate the look of wood or stone for a fraction of the price. Laminate is also simple to clean and needs minimal upkeep. It is a durable material that is resistant to scratches and stains. The only downside is that it can't be compared with the real wood flooring.