Wood flooring, a wise investment

If you are the owners of a period property then you may well have areas of your home that still enjoy original wood flooring. Wood floors are one of the hardest working materials and can last for centuries; however, many original floors were removed during over zealous or insensitive renovations. So, it is often the case that older properties are sadly missing their original wood floors altogether.

Timber flooring has always been the first choice within older buildings and oak was the most widely used material up to the 18th century when pine started to be introduced. Reinstating natural or reclaimed wood floors is a wise investment as the wood will work in harmony with other original features for years to come.

Environmentally Friendly

It is possible to source original wood flooring that has been salvaged from other properties and an interesting variety of reclaimed flooring is available. Daniel Bloom, MD of Ecora explains "Reclaimed or salvaged wood flooring has its own unique characteristics and is also a practical and environmentally friendly option. We stock reclaimed flooring rescued from old hospitals, factories, grand country houses and French Chateaus. It is important to find wood floors that look right for your style of property. Parquet and Block flooring look particularly stunning in older buildings and will last a lifetime. If you are working within a tight budget aged and distressed boards engineered boards are a sensible and attractive alternative to reclaimed wood floors and are available in solid or engineered."

Long Lasting

Quality wood flooring is very easy to maintain and clean, Oak in particular is warming underfoot and is a natural choice for older properties. Wood flooring can also be an environmentally friendly choice when obtained from a sustainable source. Specialist suppliers will be able to guide you in your selection and provide timber that has been accredited by organisations like the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC).

When selecting wood floors for an older property consideration needs to be made to the colour and pattern variations available as there are many options available including light, dark and exotic timbers. A lighter choice such as Oak, Maple, and Larch may be a better option in a small room as the floor will reflect light back into the space making it appear larger. Larger spaces give the opportunity to use wider and darker or more dramatic woods such as American Walnut, Smoked Oak or Plantation Raintree. An attractive option suited to older properties is block parquet flooring which can be laid in a variety of designs including herringbone or basket weave. Reclaimed parquet may be a more expensive option than salvaged boards once including installation costs but the result is truly eye-catching and worthy of the investment.

Stylish Innovations

Engineered boards are one of the most practical solutions as wooden flooring. Easy to maintain and durable, engineered boards provide a more stable option than solid wood flooring. These pre-cut boards can be oiled or lacquered prior to installation, making the process less time-consuming. Once installed the floor can also be walked on immediately, reducing disruption in the home. Engineered boards are also a good solution for use with under floor heating systems, whereas solid wood boards can prove problematic.

So whether you choose to track down salvaged flooring from an old building or opt for new engineered boards there are sustainable and stylish solutions out there to suit all budgets and tastes.

For more information, visit ecora.co.uk.