What colour should I choose?

One of the many benefits of a solid or engineered wood floor is that the natural look works well with various interior styles, which allows versatility when you decorate. However, choosing your colour should be based on more factors that just your decorative theme.

Pale wood floors are great for low-traffic rooms, and their lightness will brighten a small space brilliantly. They will however, show up dirt more than a darker wood. Warm, honey-toned wood floors will instantly create a welcoming feel, ideal for larger or open-plan spaces.

Dark wood floors create a more formal, intimate feel in a room, but also work well in industrial-style spaces for a smart, contemporary finish.

Which is best: solid wood or engineered wood flooring?

Whether you choose engineered or solid wood flooring, once they have been installed it will be difficult to tell the difference. Solid wood flooring is machined from single pieces of timber, and is generally used for chevron or herringbone floors which use smaller blocks. Solid wood can warp if exposed to lots of moisture, so it is best avoid in kitchens and bathrooms.

Engineered wood flooring is used to make longer planks and has the appearance of solid wood but is easier to maintain and install, making it a fashionable choice for homes. Engineered wood flooring is made of triple layers, consisting of a top surface of solid hardwood bonded to a softwood core with veneer backing to create a stable wood flooring solution. Engineered boards have the same attractive, variable tones and knots as solid wood.

Both engineered and solid oak floors are durable and will rarely need refinishing, particularly pre-finished engineered wood floors, which hold up well against moist conditions, and can be used with underfloor heating. Ultimately, the choice between engineered and solid wood flooring depends on your personal preference.

What style and size of plank should I choose?

Choosing the right style and size of wood floor is one of the most basic yet important decisions a homeowner has to make, as it underpins everything else. While there are plenty of different options available, from plank to mixed width, herringbone to chevron, your final decision will have a dramatic effect on the final look.

Plank size and the direction the floor is laid can dramatically alter the feel of a room. Laying planks across the room as you look at it will make the space appear smaller, whereas planks laid down the room will lengthen it.

If you’re having a hard time deciding and are not sure which floor is right for your home, make an appointment with JackEvie. One of our flooring experts can talk you through the different types of floor planks and provide samples so you can see exactly what these floors will look like in your home.

Should I use a professional fitter?

In a word – yes. Laying a wood floor may appear simple, but there are lots of factors to consider, many of which you may not be aware of. The relative humidity of the room, expansion of joints and the moisture content of the sub floor all need to be factored in.

A professional fitter will take into account the visual impact of the floor as a whole, working aesthetically with the natural colour, grain texture and knots in the wood to create an elegant finish that displays the wood to its best advantage.

If your wood flooring is being retro-fitted, ensure your installer trims the skirting to run the boards beneath it, rather than relying on beading to hide the untidy edges.

If you need help installing a new wood floor, we recommend you contact www.prestigewoodfloors.co.uk.

What are the latest trends in wood flooring?

Distressed, heavily brushed surfaces are on an upward trend, as it has such a rustic, authentic look and feel – it’s a finish that can’t be achieved using fake wood products. Distressed boards work really well with mixed width plank boards and can include subtle details such as filled split and ties to create a look that is both timeless and versatile.

Large-scale patterned floors and chevron panels are also a hot look, as is cladding your walls in wood, which is the next big thing. Be inspired by what’s going on in high-end boutiques and bistros and do something different in your home.

What type of surface texture should I choose?

Surface texture adds character and contrast to the finished look and feel of your wood floor. It can add a special elegance or rustic feel depending on the look you’re going for. With that being said, there are so many different textures available at JackEvie, all of which can be very desirable, or not, depending on what you’re looking for.

Should I choose a laquer or oil finish for my wood floor

The final finish of the floor acts as a protective barrier on the surface of the natural wood. There are two main options when it comes to wood flooring finishes. Firstly there’s lacquer, which is a durable, low maintenance option which is recommended in areas that have higher foot traffic. Secondly, there’s oil which is slightly less durable but easier to repair if the floor starts to look a bit tired or scratched.

Lacquer works like a varnish and is applied to wood as a way of protecting the floor. Lacquer effectively sits on the top of the wood and doesn’t sink in like oil does.

How you decide will depend upon various things. First, you need to decide what style of finish you like. For example, do you like a shiny look or do you prefer a more natural looking finish? Second, the finish you choose will have a lot to do with the traffic the floor is likely to experience.

Still need help choosing your wood floor?

If you’re still looking for inspiration why not browse the complete JackEvie Collection by clicking here – with more than 200 hundred products to choose from you are sure to discover the perfect floor for you. Alternative, take a look at some recent projects completed by JackEvie on our Portfolio page.

Want to speak to a wood floor expert? Call JackEvie on 01902 791 327 or email [email protected] to book a FREE consultation.