Choosing wood flooring for a home or business is a very popular decision indeed. Many people are buying into the aesthetic benefits, as well as the practical ones – it is hardwearing, will last a long time, is easy to clean and is a generally simple surface to look after. When you are shopping for wood flooring, there will be lots of questions on your mind and lots of things that you feel you should be looking into. How do you know that you are making the right decision?
Something you should prioritise over many other things is choosing European oak flooring for your home or your business. If you can, it is always a good idea to buy local, keeping money in the economy and supporting local businesses. They are important in our country and within the current economic climate, so keeping independents open is very important. They will also provide you with a better level of customer service, helping you to choose the right kind of flooring for you.
If your oak is sourced from Europe, it is likely to have come from sustainable sources. Much of the European oak flooring that is available in the UK comes from places like Sweden, where lots of wood is produced. English oak is also a popular option, so you can choose homegrown floorboard if you want to remain truly local. If you want to know more about where your wooden flooring comes from, ask the retailer. They should have full licensing to sell these types of flooring, and they should be able to give you all the details you require about its origins.
Choosing wood flooring that is from somewhere closer to home can be reassuring for many customers. It is likely to be high quality if it comes from a country that is renowned for the quality of its oak. It also doesn’t have as far to travel, so it is better for the environment, avoiding the high carbon footprint that comes from importing cheaper wood from further afield. European oak is a very safe bet.
So how do you choose the type of wood flooring you would like? Some people select solid oak floorboards, opting for the most premium option. This will have a price tag associated with it, but it will look simply stunning. Just be aware that floorboards may change shape and size a little when you are fitting it. The other option for oak flooring is to select engineered wood. This is constructed from layers of plywood, which are then solidly bound together to form a very hard, durable floorboard. Due to the multiple layers, engineered wood is very tough and can be used in any part of a building, even if there is a lot of foot traffic. You won’t noticed your engineered wood getting damaged over time because it will withstand a lot of wear and tear. The top layer is made of solid wood, so visually, most people cannot tell the difference between engineered wood and solid wood flooring.