Different Categories Of Wood Flooring For Your Home And Office

Posted by Michael Griffin on October 17th, 2019

The warm appeal of wood flooring in Denver is simply too much for home and business owners to give up, so much so that they are willing to cut corners and take loans. If you also desire a wooden floor, you must first consider the options available in the market and then make the final decision based on your expectations. Prices vary depending on the strength, source and demand of the material. The structure of the wood determines its strength, maintenance requirement and durability. And there are lots of options available in the market that are broadly categorized into the following:

Solid Wood Flooring

These are solid planks of timber that come in one whole piece rather than layers stuck together. They are usually 18 to 20 mm thick and come with grooves and tongues that can be used to interlock the planks together. They can be really strong depending on the material they are made from and can increase the building’s real estate value. But they don’t do well in areas with moisture, are difficult to install and can be costly depending on the material they are made from, like hardwood or softwood. The cost of installation of flooring is also high because of the cumbersome process of gluing and nailing each plank. The sound of footsteps is prominent on them which can be a good or bad thing based on your preference.

Laminate Wood Planks

This type of wood flooring in Denver is easily the most cost-effective on the list. Their low starting price stems from the fact that laminate planks are essentially layers of fiberboards glued together with a pattern pasted on the top and an adhesive layer on the bottom. This makes the planks strong enough for high traffic areas and very easy to install. They can look like any timber you prefer with the right grain pattern. This flooring is much easier to clean and maintain than other wooden options. But if installed improperly, they will seem fake and reduce the building’s value. Plus, laminate also doesn’t hold well against moisture.

Plywood Flooring

This option is the cheapest type of flooring on the list in terms of material and installation but easily susceptible to scratches and moisture damage. The floor itself is not that attractive and needs to be painted to make it worthwhile. 

Engineered Wood Floor

An engineered wooden plank is made by combining three or four layers of wood together to create on 14mm thick plank. The planks may come with either an interlocking mechanism or tongue and grooves. The interlocking mechanism is easier to install as no nails or adhesives are needed. They are better looking than laminate planks and cheaper than solid planks. It is resistant enough against moisture to be installed in kitchens but not enough to be installed in washrooms.

Reclaimed Wood Planks

As the name suggests, these floor planks have been reclaimed from a home it was previously installed in. The prices vary depending on the age, condition and source of the timber, but they are generally cheaper than new planks. People who can’t afford new hardwood planks go to salvage yards and websites that sell reclaimed wood to buy hardwood for a steal. The drawbacks are more or less the same as the newer versions with the addition of age and need for readjustment to your floor.

Faux Wood Tiles

As the name suggests, they aren’t wood in any form or shape but look wooden enough thanks to the grainy patterns on their surfaces. These panels are usually made from ceramic or glazed porcelain, both of which are non-porous and waterproof. This factor makes it faux wood tiles a good option for bathroom and kitchen where there is always some risk of water splashing. This also makes the floors very easy to clean with some soapy water. The materials themselves are cheaper than actual wood and very strong and durable.

Parquet Flooring

These are short blocks of wood applied on floors in brick-like patterns like herringbone and basketweave. They are strong enough for heavy traffic areas but like most options don’t do well in kitchens and bathrooms.

These are some categories of wood flooring options generally available. Choose the one most suitable to your budget and needs.

Like it? Share it!


Michael Griffin

About the Author

Michael Griffin
Joined: May 16th, 2018
Articles Posted: 174

More by this author