Jan 6,2022

Choosing Your Type of Floor

Choosing the type of floor you want is, first of all, a matter of selecting the type of floor, the type of wood and the protective finish of the floor according to aesthetic and technical criteria. Solid or laminate? Oak or teak? Raw, varnished, oiled or waxed?

Summary

– Which type of parquet to choose: solid or engineered?

– Which wood species to choose?

– Which protective finish to choose from?

Which type of parquet to choose: solid or glued?

You want to install a parquet, but you are still hesitating: solid or engineered? Depending on your budget, the ease of installation, the material’s resistance, the maintenance and your taste, you will choose one or the other material.

To help you choose and compare, we present the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of solid wood and glued wood flooring.

Solid parquet

Traditional parquet par excellence, solid parquet is composed of 100% of the same and unique wood species. Warm, authentic, resistant and durable over time, solid wood flooring is a profitable investment.

Engineered flooring

Composed of three layers of wood glued together, engineered flooring adapts to all configurations. Offering a wide variety of wood species, it is similar to solid wood flooring, which is less expensive but less durable.

Which wood species to choose?

There is a wide variety of wood species for flooring, each with its characteristics in terms of hardness, resistance to humidity and colour.

If the choice of a wood species depends above all on your aesthetic tastes and the budget you wish to devote to your project, it is also essential to choose a species adapted to the use of your room. To make it easier to find your way around, you should know that wood species are divided into four hardness classifications, from class A (softwood) to class D (very hardwood).

Important: the FSC and PEFC quality labels aim to ensure the traceability of European and exotic woods and to guarantee sustainable and responsible forest management.

Classic species

Classic (or indigenous) species are all wood species from local forests in France and Europe. Oak, chestnut and beech are the most common wood species, suitable for all types of structures.

Good to know: oak is the most used for the manufacture of parquet.

Exotic species

Exotic species come from the rainforests of Africa, Asia, South America or North America. Generally more expensive than traditional species, they compete more and more thanks to their resistance, their hardness. Their yellow, red or brown colour offers a refined and warm character to your room. Also, they are ideally suited to wet rooms such as the bathroom.

Which protective finish to choose from?

All wood flooring, solid or engineered, requires a surface treatment to protect it from daily wear and tear unless you choose a raw, untreated floor.

The application of this protective finish after installation is an essential step that determines the aesthetics and maintenance of your flooring. The three main protective finishes are varnish (or sealant), oil and wax.

Depending on the type of wood, its origin, hardness, ease of maintenance and your budget, you choose one finish over another.

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Hope you have been pleased with this post. Remember to comment below.

by Maryline D

Mar 25,2021

6 Benefits of Installing Cast Floors

Does your current flooring need to be replaced, or are you tired of it and would like something new? There are many different options for beautiful floors. In recent years, cast floors have become increasingly popular. This is because it is available in different colors and designs, and many additional options are possible. Let’s see some of the other benefits this type of floor has to offer!

1) Underfloor Heating

With a cast floor, you will never have cold feet again. A cast floor is itself a warm floor. Would you like more warmth? Then install underfloor heating on the floor. A cast floor is relatively thin, so it absorbs heat quickly. The material is insensitive to temperature fluctuations, and there are even particular cast floors to which stones have been added to retain the heat. Besides, cast floors can be installed seamlessly from room to room, making it easier to include underfloor heating throughout the house.

2) Less Expensive Than You Think

Cast flooring is not a cheap floor, but the prices can be relatively low. Costs for self-leveling floors are calculated per square meter. This price can vary significantly since it depends on several factors—the larger the cast floor, the lower the cost per square meter. The price will also depend on the type of cast floor you want and the floor type on which it is installed. Incorporating additional options such as underfloor heating or patterns will also increase the price.

3) A Cast Floor Is Hygienic and Hypoallergenic

Since cast floors are applied in liquid form until they cover the entire floor, they do not contain any seams. This makes them hygienic. There are no places where dirt or moisture can remain, and, as the material is moisture repellent, nothing can penetrate the floor. For these reasons, cast flooring is often found in hospitals. Cast flooring is also ideal for allergy sufferers. Hair, dust, dust mites, and other particles cannot settle and can be swept up with a broom or vacuum cleaner.

4) Cast Floors Last for a Long Time

If you have a cast floor installed, you will have to deal with the discomfort for a few days. You have to empty the spaces and lay the floor in several layers. Each layer has a purpose and must dry before the next one can be applied. Laying a cast floor usually takes up to a week, but after that, you will have a durable floor that can last up to 50 years. If you take good care of it, it will last for even a more extended period. Bear with the installation, and after that, you may never have to replace your floor again!

5) An Unmatched Look

Cast floors are available in many versions. First of all, you can choose from all colors or a combination of them. You can add motifs, incorporate images into your floor and give it a matte or glossy finish. There are also cast floors with a concrete look or a sand color for a natural, warm look. Overall, the look is elegant, uninterrupted, and smooth.

6) Low Maintenance

For easy maintenance, a cast floor is the best choice. This flooring is effortless to maintain and barely requires anything to hold up well. Vacuuming and mopping alone are sufficient to keep it in top condition. There’s no need to buy unique cleaning products or other expensive products. This makes it an ideal floor for busy families.

If you’re planning to install cast floors, get the necessary information from a quality shop. In this way, you will be sure whether this type of flooring can be combined with your interior or not.

by Maryline D

Tag Interior Floors