Last Updated on March 4, 2022 by Kravelv
When you’re building your home, or when you’re going through a renovation, there are many areas for you to create good and lasting changes. One of these has to do with the flooring. When this choice is done correctly, it can instantly improve the overall aesthetic quality of your house. Then, it also saves you the hassle of living in a home where you’ve got no other choice but to deal with cracks here and there.
Choosing the right flooring for your home can be tricky. It is, after all a HUGE decision. Once laid, it can be very hard and or expensive to remove, so you really need to get it right. Then, the challenge doesn’t stop there. Chances are when you go shopping for timber flooring options, there are so many different types of flooring available, such as tiles, carpet, timber, to name a few. Then, these all have their very own pros and cons.
Accordingly, to narrow down your various options, there are a few factors you need to consider when choosing the best flooring for your home. If you want floors that are easy to clean, durable and look classy on your floor, you can’t go past timber flooring. This has an anti-allergenic feature as well, which means they won’t be a health hazard to your family. Timber floors are great for anyone who suffers from asthma or other respiratory problems, among all the other benefits that timber flooring brings.
That said, when looking to buy timber flooring for your home, there are a few things you should consider or look out for before you make your final decision. That way, you’re guaranteed that your timber of choice is the best possible one for your home.
The Timber Grade
First, start with the correct grade of timber.
Here are some pointers, when selecting from different timber grades:
- If you want your floors to have a very natural appearance, it’s best to go for standard grade timber.
- If you want to make your floor look more creative or stylish a character grade timber is a good choice.
- If you want a smooth looking floor then chose a select grade of timber flooring.
The Timber Floor Color
You also need to decide on a floor color. Here, you’ll want a color that will go well with the overall appearance of the room. When you are looking at timber flooring, you can take your pick from three main color themes, that are also considered as classics. These are cream, red and brown.
The Flooring Technical Aspects
Another factor to consider is the technical aspects of the floor. You want to be aware of the different technical properties of the type of timber you want to use, such as engineered timber flooring. Then, also pay special attention to the hardness and durability of the floorboards. This will help you decide if your floors can stave off any bacterial and humidity related attacks or damage.
You want and need your floor to last a long time. No one wants to be changing their whole flooring every few years, especially with timber floors that can be quite expensive.
The Quantity That You Need
Once you’re starting with the selection process, also work out roughly how much timber floorboard you’ll need. Ultimately the floorboards you choose will need to be cut properly and modified so each board can be fitted to your floor correctly. Cutting means there will be some wastage. Buy the amount of flooring you need and buy an extra box (or two) to allow for any wastage and damage.
The Size Of Your Timber Board
Choose the right size of the timber board for your home. Timber floorboards do come in a range of sizes and they are classified according to thickness, width, and other structural features. You need to choose the board that suits you and your home the best. If you are not quite sure to ask your timber flooring specialist.
The Finish Of Your Timber Board
Select a floorboard that has an attractive finish. Gloss and semi-gloss finishes are quite eye-catching, while a satin-finished floorboard is also a very popular option.
Tips On Caring For Your Floor
Use rugs and mats to prevent your new timber floor from being scratched. Then, you’ll also want to have your carpets and mats cleaned regularly. If you’re not sure how to clean it well by yourself, it pays to have a professional carpet cleaner do it.
Do NOT drag heavy furniture or other items over the floor and invest in some good curtains or drapes to stop your new timber floorboards from being directly exposed to sunlight. Always keep your timber floors clean, never use harsh cleaning products, and set yourself a floorboard budget to avoid the cost of your new floor spiraling out of control.
Final Thoughts
The choice to apply timber flooring in your home is always a good one. There’s no denying the fact that timber flooring always looks good. It’s also going to last you through many years of your life. So, for as long as the house still exists, you can be sure that your flooring isn’t going to suffer. But, these advantages do not come without a price. Timber, for your floors, can also be very expensive. This is precisely why it’s very important to choose well. Then, take good care of it also once you have it in your home. As you shop for timber flooring, keep in mind these tips enumerated. In so doing, you’re giving yourself that assurance of making the best possible choice for your home.