Clearing Up Common Misconceptions About Timber Flooring

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Timber flooring is a very good choice for just about any home, as timber is very durable and strong and won't hold as much dirt and other debris as carpeting. Timber flooring is also easy to clean when it does get dusty or dirty, as you only need to quickly dust mop the surface. If you're thinking of having timber floors installed in your home, note a few common misconceptions you want to ignore so you know you make the right decision about your home's flooring materials.

They're hard to install

Solid hardwood is best installed by a professional, as these need to be glued or nailed right to the subfloor. However, engineered timber or laminate timber-look flooring are often made in slats that snap together, and which actually float over the subfloor. Many homeowners can install these on their own with a few simple tools. You might still want to consult with a flooring professional so he or she can inspect the subfloor and ensure it doesn't need any repair work before your new floors are installed, but don't assume that a DIY installation job is out of your reach if you select timber floors.

They scratch easily

Some timber species, such as oak, may be soft and scratch easily, but other types of timber are more dense and scratch-resistant, such as bamboo or teak. You can also typically buff out tiny, everyday scratches with a soft rag and some wood oil. It's also good to just be careful of the floor's surface; don't allow the kids to ride their bikes in the house, take your shoes off at the door, and never slide furniture over timber flooring no matter the species.

You need to always paint or stain them

Timber floors do need a coat of sealant to protect them, but if you're concerned about having to consistently repaint the floors or add fresh stain, choose a species with a colour or design that you prefer. For example, mahogany has a dark, rich tone, jarrah has a reddish colour that is very rich, and cypress pine has a very light, yellowish colour that is somewhat rustic. Tiger stripe or tiger strand bamboo has a pattern to it that goes between a dark shade to a very light yellowish tone, which can give a room a lot of visual interest. By choosing a species of wood that offers the look you want from the flooring, you can then forego having to paint or stain it your desired colour or tone.

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27 June 2017

Getting a colourful floor for our cafe

Our cafe has a funky and bright colour scheme. It's hard to find the right flooring option as we have a lot of foot traffic and bright colours can look dull when we have had a busy period. It also tends to fade when we have to use heavy strength cleaning chemicals on heavier messes. Recently we have started exploring some non-traditional flooring options such as flooring based on recycled plastics and rubber based plastics with poured patterns. It looks really good. This blog talks about some of the flooring options that are available for high traffic areas, including some of the newer and non-traditional materials you can use.