Many people ask us what’s the difference between solid wood and engineered Wood and how is one better than the other. Read below to find out the differences and the pros and cons of each:

Engineered wood and solid wood floors are both made from 100% real wood, but are very different in their overall construction.

ENGINEERED WOOD:

Each plank is made from a top layer of solid wood with ply wood and MDF sandwiched together underneath.

The benefits of engineered wood are: it’s suitable for use with under floor heating. It is less expensive than solid wood. It is a very resilient and versatile flooring that can be used in most areas of your home. It doesn’t react to the environment like solid wood meaning it is less likely to expand or shrink.

SOLID WOOD:

Each plank is made from 100% solid hardwood.

Solid wood reacts to the environment meaning the planks are more likely to swell in heat during the Summer months and shrink during the colder months in Winter. Moisture will also cause solid wood to swell.

The benefits of solid wood are: It’s very strong. It can be sanded down numerous times meaning its suitable for high footfall areas. It can exceed 100years Service.

So should you be choosing solid wood or engineered?

Solid hardwood is for customers that are looking for real wood that will last for many years, and that do not mind having different types of flooring in different parts of the home, according to need and durability. Solid wood will return value many years down the road.

Engineered wood is for those who want the look of wood but who have a practical bent. Engineered wood enables you to install it in different rooms of the house than you can with solid wood meaning you can have the same flooring throughout if you wish.  It will return value, but will not have the longevity that solid wood has.

What are the most important factors you need to consider when choosing wooden flooring?

Follow our expert wooden flooring guide for the full low-down on the things to consider when purchasing wooden flooring.  Of course, should there be something that’s not covered here or you have additional questions; we’re always available to provide you with further guidance and support. Contact us.

What type of wood? You’ll probably be aware of options such as Oak and Pine already, but have you considered Beech or Walnut? Not only will your choice of wood have a bearing on the colour of your flooring, though it’s worth noting that different lacquers and oils can also provide more colour variety, you will also need to consider their durability. For example: Oak is harder wearing than Walnut. High traffic areas such as hallways and porches need a durable wood that can handle heels, buggies, pets, grit and mud. Walnut for example, whilst stunning, would mark from a pair of heels instantly. If your heart is set on a soft wood, certain precautions, like placing mats and rugs, will protect your floor. Whatever your preference, the team at Herts Flooring will be happy to advise and guide you.

Oiled or Lacquered?

Oiled wooden flooring makes a house a home, creating a gorgeous warming and rustic environment. There are a variety of different finishes available, some more matt than others; if you’re aiming for shabby-chic or natural – go more matt. An oiled floor needs more regular maintenance, however it’s easier to carry out yourself.

The good thing about an oiled floor is that each time you oil the floor you’re encouraging the oil to permeate the wood offering protection from the inside out, unlike a lacquer which protects just the surface. That said, an oiled floor provides little to no protection from water so it won’t be suitable for anywhere that water could sit on it for long periods of time…bathrooms, porches etc.  If you also want your wooden flooring to age nicely then an oiled floor is the choice for you as it allows UV rays and oxygen to get at the wood.

Lacquered wooden floors are generally considered the leader for high-traffic areas. A lacquered wooden floor offers a high-gloss statement finish helping to bounce light around narrow corridors and landings – though matt finishes are of course available if you prefer a more rustic look. A lacquer will also help to protect the colour and tone of your floor for a longer period than an oiled floor, however bear in mind that a high gloss finish will eventually scuff and mattify, particularly if a lot of footfall is going over it.

Lacquered finishes also offer incredible spill protection for the wood, providing a strong, waterproof barrier between the surface and wood – lacquer is recommended for bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens in particular.

What about Laminate flooring?

Please see our Laminate vs Solid Wood Buying Guide

Ongoing maintenance and repair

Ensuring your wooden flooring lasts is completely down to proper care, cleaning and maintenance. Whether you have an oiled or lacquered floor, either way, regularly sweeping up dirt and grit, mopping and hovering will all extend the life of your floor and distance between treatments.

Oiled: Depending on the footfall and usage, a typical oiled floor will need to be re-oiled annually for best results and protection. Minor repairs can be carried out relatively easily using a sander and a new coat of oil. Bear in mind certain woods, often the softer varieties, need more care and attention.

Lacquered: Re-lacquering is a timely process, you will need to allow the best part of four days for the original lacquer to be removed, new lacquer to be added and then time for it to cure before it is suitable for walking on, however with this process only needing to take place on average once a decade you can usually put it to the back of your mind until closer to the time it needs to be done.

Laminate or Solid Wood?

When considering wooden flooring the type of flooring you require very  much depends on your budget and also the location of the flooring.

Laminate flooring most often simulates a wood effect, it consists of a textured photographic layer under a clear protective layer that are together glued on top of a rough wood base. Laminate is known for it’s ease of installation and value for money, and it has grown in popularity within the last decade as the hard flooring choice for hallways and living rooms. However the quality of laminates varies massively and it is worth being wary of deals that appear to be too good to be true as a cheaper laminate is likely to have a far shorter shelf life, warp and have a less natural finish.

Laminate flooring is not suitable for wet areas such as shower rooms, water and steam will eventually permeate the laminated wood affecting the glue that bonds the laminate from the board causing separation. In the same way a laminate floor should not be soaked in water and mopped, it is recommended to maintain your laminate floor that you brush dirt off and use a damp cloth, with specialist laminate cleaner, to preserve your flooring.

Laminate flooring is however extremely hard wearing and is less likely to show scratches, dents and furniture marks, it also requires the least ongoing maintenance.
Solid wood is exactly as it suggests, flooring where each plank is made entirely from the hardwood of your choice. Even though engineered flooring and even LVT flooring is getting close, there really is no finish like a solid wood floor. Installation is similar to that of laminate, but that is where the similarities end. A solid wood floor will show wear and tear, including heel-marks and scratches and in high traffic areas it will lose its laquer sheen quickly. Grit and dirt are easily trodden into the grain of the wood affecting its overall appearance. However unlike a laminate floor, which when it starts to look worse for wear you have to replace it, a solid wood floor can be sanded and re-laquered multiple times (please note that the thickness of your solid wood floor will dictate how many times your floor may be resurfaced).

Solid wood flooring is also not recommended for wet-rooms, bathrooms etc due to being natural wood it will swell, expand, warp and discolour if left in prolonged contact with water.

What is Engineered flooring and what is the difference between laminate, solid wood and engineered flooring?

Engineered flooring is a hybrid of laminate and solid wood. A hardwood veneer is glued on top of a, usually plywood, core. The result is a more natural finish that closer resembles a hardwood floor with the durability and ease of maintenance of a laminate.

Still have questions? Our team would be happy to discuss your requirements and recommend the perfect floor for your needs – call us on 01442 263723.

What are the vital factors you need to consider when choosing a carpet?

Follow our expert carpet guide for the in’s and out’s, textures and underlays and of course should you have any questions, then we’re always available to provide you with additional expert guidance and support.

Which pile?

Carpet pile is the finish of the actual material that makes your carpet, there are many different styles, some more contemporary and some more traditional, check out our quick check guide to see the benefits of each type.

Loop pile is simply put uncut weaved material that is available in different heights or ‘loops’. Berber carpets are made from bulky or thick yarns of wool,  nylon or polypropylene (or a mix of all) to give a cushioned effect. Level loop pile is where all of the loops are of the same height, and are most commonly made from synthetic fibres – level loop tend to be tightly bound together and are durable, easy to clean and can actually help prevent spills from soaking into the body of the carpet. Level loop is a popular carpet style. Multi-level loop styles of carpet are particularly forgiving and can hide a multitude of marks and stains and are recommended for parts of your home with the highest traffic.

Cut pile as you can probably imagine is where a carpet has the loops cut during manufacture. The result is an attractive, soft plush carpet ideal for bedrooms and dining rooms. Twist is probably the most popular of all cut pile styles, the carpet yarn has been twisted and set to retain it’s shape, and the resulting finish is an attractive evenly coloured carpet. Velvet or Velour carpets do not have a tight twist, rather they have a level pile surface which is sheared to give a smooth finish, because the carpet fibres have more flexibility this type of carpet can shade and look unevenly colours as fibres laying in different directions may reflect light in different ways. Saxony textures are made of twisted yarns which have been strongly set, the tips remain distinct rather than blending, as with Velvet carpets, the Saxony style does show vacuum cleaning marks and footprints so is best used in low-traffic, occasional room areas. Freize carpets are the last style in Cut pile, they are similar to Saxony in manufacture however their yarns are even more tightly twisted. The resulting texture is coarse and is therefore makes this type of carpet perfect for busy areas of the house. Freize carpets also hide dirt and footprints exceedingly well, and make excellent carpet if you have animals.

Cut and loop pretty much does what it says on the ‘tin’. A combination of the above styles leads to versatile textures and patterns. A multi-level surface is beneficial for hiding stains, footprints and muck. Shag pile, a 70’s favourite that’s experiencing a bit of a resurgence, falls under this category. Shag pile comes in a variety of pile lengths, but you can generally expect it to be longer length than loop or cut pile. Shag offers maximum comfort under foot and is a favourite for bedrooms.

Which material?

Wool especially British Wool, is strong and resilient, offers comfort and is naturally fire retardant. Wool has been the traditional material of choice since weavers began carpet manufacture, it’s still a vital part of carpet manufacturing today, although now wool is often blended with man-made fibres…see below.

Nylon is durable and particularly resistant. Colour and prints are added after production ensuring that this type of carpet can have the brightest and boldest designs and colours. Nylon is also the most hard wearing of all the synthetic fibres.

Polyester is the man made material closest to wool in look and texture. It’s unusual to have a 100% polyester carpet, you’re more likely to see it blended with other materials.

Polypropylene is now seen as the most popular of man made carpet fibres. Colour is locked in during manufacturing making it extremely durable and stain resistant. It is also is considered excellent value for money.

SmartStrand has revolutionised the carpet industry with its lifetime guarantee against staining, exceptional durability to maintain its beauty and super soft makes it a perfect long lasting carpet ideal for family and pets. Made partly from a renewable plant source it also has a low impact on our environment.

Bamboo is a unique and innovative bringing many additional benefits to the carpet. Bamboo fibre has natural anti-bacterial and humidity regulating properties and when turned into carpet yarn, it is exceptionally soft to the touch.

Looking after your carpet

Ensuring your carpet lasts and lasts isn’t as hard as you think, as long as you follow these simple steps.

• #1 has to be ensuring you have adequate underlay, a good quality underlay will extend the life of your carpet exponentially.
• Use a cylinder vacuum cleaner with a suction head only on loop pile carpets.
• Use a upright vacuum cleaner with a beater bar and brush on cut pile carpets.
• Vacuum regularly at least twice a week.
• Consider entrance mats, door mats and different flooring at home entry and exit points to ensure that your carpet doesn’t take a beating when coming from the outside, in.
• Deal with spillages and stains as and when they happen – ALWAYS ensure that the products you ‘re using to clean your carpet are suitable for the pile and material they’re made of.
• Blot – don’t rub when it comes to stain removal.
• Work from the outside in to avoid spreading.
• Never use detergents, washing-up liquid, bleach or other ‘general’ household cleaning products on your carpet.
• Only cleaning products with a ‘Wool Safe’ mark are suitable if you have wool, or wool mix carpets.
• General periodic cleaning; having your carpet professionally cleaned throughout the years will ensure that your carpet retains a fresh, even colour and pile.
• Always securely cover your carpet when decorating or having building renovations.