What is Solid Wood Flooring?

When it comes to flooring options, solid wood flooring stands as a timeless choice that exudes elegance, warmth, and durability. With its natural beauty and unmatched longevity, solid wood flooring has been a popular option for centuries.

In this article, we will delve into the essence of solid wood flooring, exploring its construction, benefits, and maintenance, and why it continues to be a preferred flooring option for homeowners seeking both aesthetics and practicality.

So, What is Solid Hardwood Flooring?

Solid wood flooring is precisely what its name suggests - a floor manufactured entirely of solid wood, from top to bottom. It is typically made from a single piece of hardwood, such as oak, maple, or walnut, which is milled into thick planks. Each plank is crafted from a solid piece of timber, ensuring strength, stability, and authenticity.

How is solid wood flooring made?

Solid wood floors are constructed from a single piece of real wood. While they can be made from different species of wood, oak tends to be the most popular. This is down to its natural hardwearing properties and easy availability.

The raw wood is sawn and then air-dried before it is graded and refined. The air-drying process is essential as it helps to remove moisture from the wood. Once they have been dried, the timber is separated into grades depending upon how clean or rustic they appear. It is then cut to size and sanded, ready to be finished.

For added durability, solid wood floors come with either a lacquered or oiled surface. You can also purchase them in an unfinished state if you would prefer to finish them yourself.

To help reduce their impact on the environment, solid wood floors are now made from materials taken from sustainable forests. At Stories Flooring, we make sure all the floors we source are made using sustainable methods.

What are the Advantages of Solid Wood Flooring?

Whichever type of solid wood floor you choose, it is guaranteed to enhance the look of the home. Real wood floors cannot be beaten in terms of aesthetics. They produce an authentic, warm, and cosy feel in the space. There are also a lot of different designs available, ensuring there is something to suit any interior.

The main benefits of solid wood flooring include:

• It enhances the look of the home
• A strong and durable choice
• Naturally hygienic
• Can be refinished when needed
• May increase the home’s value
• Environmental Sustainability

Solid wood floors are also renowned for their strength and durability. Provided you take care of the floor, it is sure to look and perform like new for many years to come. This enhanced durability adds long-term value to the floors. The fact you can re-finish them when needed is also a big plus point. They can be re-sanded and finished multiple times over their lifetime.

If you suffer with allergies or asthma, solid wood floors can also help you to breathe much better. This is because they naturally repel dirt and dust. They also do not release any harmful chemicals into the air, making them naturally hygienic.

If you are looking to sell your property further down the line, solid wood floors can add value onto the asking price. Solid wood floors are highly sought-after, and buyers are prepared to pay a little more to benefit from this feature.

As a natural product, solid wood flooring is a sustainable choice. Wood is a renewable resource, and responsible forestry practices ensure that the environmental impact is minimal. Additionally, solid wood flooring can be recycled or repurposed at the end of its life cycle, contributing to a greener environment.

What are the Disadvantages of Solid Wood Flooring?

Now that you know the benefits of investing in solid wood floors, what about the potential downsides? The main things to consider before investing in solid wood flooring include:

• They need to be installed over a wooden subfloor
• They are not compatible with underfloor heating
• It can be expensive
• More difficult to install and maintain
• Potentially noisy underfoot
• Cannot be installed in moisture-rich environments

Although you could install a solid wood floor over a concrete subfloor, over time it would pose a risk of moisture damage. So, if you do not have wooden subfloors, you may find it more difficult to install solid wood floors safely.

Like all wooden floors, solid wood flooring can be noisy underfoot. As it cannot be installed with underfloor heating, you will find it much colder to walk across in the winter months.

Finally, as solid wood floors can easily become damaged due to changes in moisture, they should not be installed in the bathroom. Any area of the home that is prone to high levels of moisture will not be suitable for solid wood flooring.

Installation Methods

During installation, solid wood flooring is either nailed or glued directly to the subfloor, ensuring a secure and stable foundation.

Due to its solid construction, this type of flooring is known for its exceptional durability and longevity, with properly maintained floors lasting for decades and even generations.

Maintaining Solid Wood Flooring

To ensure the longevity and beauty of your solid wood flooring, consider the following maintenance tips:

1. Regular Cleaning: Sweep or vacuum your floors regularly to remove dust and dirt. Avoid excessive moisture when cleaning, as standing water can damage the wood.

2. Protect from Scratches: Place doormats at entryways and use furniture pads to prevent scratches from moving furniture.

3. Moisture Control: Maintain a consistent humidity level in your home to prevent warping or shrinking of the wood. Use a humidifier or dehumidifier if necessary.

4. Refinishing: Over time, solid wood flooring may show signs of wear. Refinishing the surface by sanding and applying a new finish can restore its original beauty.

Conclusion

As you can see, solid wood floors have a range of pros and cons that you need to consider. When looked after correctly, these floors can last for decades, adding a luxurious touch to the home. Why not browse our range of solid wood floors now to see how affordable luxury flooring can be?