Types of Wood Flooring – Laminate, Engineered, and Other
Wooden floors make your home look further attractive, be it laminate or hardwood flooring. The warmth and appearance of the wooden floors makes them a popular choice for homeowners all around the world.
To get the best wooden floor, you must explore different types of wood flooring to choose the best one for your home. This post will explain everything including how much to spend on which type of wood flooring
Keep on reading to find out the cost and pros and cons of different wood flooring types and pick the one that suits your room well.
Let’s get started!
1. Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring comes in the form of planks that showcase the appearance of wood with a protective layer on the top. The quality of laminate can vary so the more money you spend, the better quality it will serve. In terms of humidity, moisture, and heat, laminate may be not as resistant as tiles. But, it costs much less than tiles.
For a more naturalistic appearance, the edges of laminate have a slight slope that also helps avoid the damage from any kind of moisture or swelling.
When buying laminate flooring, avoid the ones with a chipboard core because it keeps expanding. Also, buy laminate with a fibreboard base with green or brown colour underside that protects over moisture instead of damaged packages that have swollen boards caused by water vapour.
Moreover, Oak laminate flooring is the most durable flooring. It suits best as a hallway laminate or in frontrooms floorings.
What material is laminate wood?
Laminate is manufactured with a thin, pressed wood board with a repeated design of wood printed on the fibreboard core.
Average cost £8 per square metre.
| Pros | Cons |
| Varieties of designs available | May not provide the real wood appearance |
| Easy to install with click-lock system | Incorrectly installed laminate can cause problems |
| Hard wearing with protective layer on the top | The design might fade over time if the quality is bad |
| Low in price |
2. Solid Wood Flooring
Solid wood flooring is 18-20 mm thick and each board is manufactured with a single piece of wood. For the installation, it uses a tongue-and-groove system.
While installing this flooring, ensure that there is no gap left between the planks and the size is correctly fitted. Since wood is a natural material, it’s normal for the planks to change its colour over time. It’s up to you whether you want the flooring in a uniform look or in a set of planks that range in light or heavy grains.
Additionally, solid wood floorboards may irritate some homeowners with foot-step sound so if you have rugs at home, you can use them well on the floor.
How long does solid hardwood last?
The lifespan of a solid hardwood floor depends on the quality of the wood and how it was installed. If it receives regular maintenance from a good place, then solid hardwood flooring can last for 30 to 100 years.
Which is better, solid hardwood or engineered?
Solid wood flooring sounds much stronger than engineered wood flooring, but each has its own benefits.
Engineered wood is made with high-quality plywood with a thin layer of hardwood on the top. Whereas, hardwood materials like maple, oak, or walnut makes the solid wood flooring a more popular choice.
Both are used in homes worldwide, but for the longest lifespan, most homeowners prefer solid hardwood over engineered wood flooring.
Average Cost: £15 per square metre
| Pros | Cons |
| Showcase the classic look and feel | Hard to install |
| Quite appealing to the first-time buyers | Starting price are higher compared to other wood flooring options |
| Easy to sell when you are moving out | Easily swells in humid condition |
| Range of designs available |
3. Bamboo Flooring
If you are looking for a patterned wooden floor, bamboo flooring is your way to go. It may not be real wood, but with its unique grainy pattern, it can work on hard-wearing floorboards which makes them look similar to natural wood.
Bamboo is considered one of the comfortable types of wood flooring materials because it’s easy to clean. Also, the material is water resistant but not waterproof, it can withstand small amounts of water.
The carbonisation process applied in darker bamboo makes the floor softer and prevents it from the damage caused by scratching.
Is bamboo flooring expensive?
Surprisingly, bamboo flooring is not expensive at all. The average cost of bamboo flooring ranges from £2 to £11 per square foot which makes it the cheapest wood flooring option.
How long do bamboo floors last?
After the bamboo floor is installed correctly without any mistakes, with proper maintenance and good care, it can last for up to 25 years. Occasional cleaning can also help extend the lifespan of bamboo flooring.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sustainable flooring material | It’s not completely waterproof |
| Good for dust allergies | It can disclose small amounts of VOCs over time because of the toxic substance used in the material |
| Stronger than oak flooring | The floor can blend because of unsightly spots caused by water |
| Easy to clean |
4. Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood floorboards come in the form of planks which are glued together in three or four layers. The planks are around 14mm thick and have a real-wood face of 4mm thick on the top.
The protective wood layer on the top protects and restores from any wear or damage. Engineered wood flooring comes with a click-lock installation system that does not ask for adhesive.
What is engineered wood made of?
Engineered wood is made by binding wood fibres in the form of strands with moisture-resistant ability. The protective wood layer on the top is what makes the flooring attractive and strong.
Is engineered wood better than hardwood?
Wood flooring with a longer lifespan will definitely catch your attention as it can hold up against scratches well. But, when your biggest concern is humidity, temperature, and moisture, engineered wood is a better option than solid hardwood.
Average cost £20 per square metre.
| Pros | Cons |
| More reliable than a piece of real solid wood | Tongue-and-groove version will be hard to install |
| Easy to fit and install for DIY | More expensive than laminate flooring |
| No fading or changes occur because of the temperature | Mostly sold pre-finish which is unpleasing to the customers |
| Cheapest option compared to other wooden planks | Can be scraped only once or twice, depending on the quality of wood |
5. Plank Flooring
Plank flooring generally includes vinyls, LVT, and Laminate easy-to-install planks which are better than tiles will be a great way to add a touch of wood in your floors.
If you want to try something new, try SPC flooring which brings numerous advantages and provides an aesthetically pleasing look at the home.
What kind of plank flooring is best?
Vinyl plank flooring is considered the best choice for its water-resistant ability. It can withstand moisture areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Is vinyl plank flooring waterproof?
Yes, vinyl plank flooring is waterproof that’s why it is the most popular choice for busy households. But, being waterproof does not mean that it can survive heavy flooding etc.
Average Cost £2 to £6 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable flooring option | Installation process is complicated |
| Has a wood-like appearance and style | Direct sunlight may cause the fading |
| Varieties of designs available |
6. Oak Flooring
Oak flooring is gaining popularity these days because of the current trend of hardwood. Oak is a type of hardwood which can hold up against humidity and temperature compared to other harwoods.
It is manufactured with timber which is designed to be used for flooring in areas like kitchens, basements, living rooms, and bathrooms.
Moreover, in the oak family where laminate is a great option, LVT natural oak is another minimal maintenance option. It mimics the wood’s impression and easy to clean.
What is oak flooring made of?
Oak flooring is made of solid wood and has been a popular flooring option. It is a type of hardwood which allows refinishing over time and makes the floor long-lasting.
Why is oak flooring so expensive?
Because of the high-quality harwood, oak is generally more expensive than engineered wood. Solid oak is created with a single piece of wood which proves how durable and authentic oak flooring is.
Average cost ranges from £20 to £300 per square metre.
| Pros | Pros |
| Highly durable | Not good for homes with high humidity |
| A good investment that will last for years | Little expensive than other woods |
| Allows constant refinishing |
Final Thoughts
While you explore the wood flooring types, you will come across each and everything, including goods and bads and costs. To select the best wooden floor, you must keep a few things in mind, like the overall interior and the condition of the subfloor.
Choosing the cheapest option can be the best wood flooring option for you, but it depends on the place you buy the planks from. It’s better to check the samples first before making the final decision.
If you are a DIY person, 5G click-lock flooring will be the best choice for you as it requires a few simple steps to install. While other flooring types will need professional workers for the installation.
At pay weekly, you will find various wooden floor options, including laminate, luxury vinyl tiles, and many more with a wide range of designs and affordable price tag.
