Wood flooring is beautiful and increases the value of your home.
In Singapore, wood continues to be the preferred choice over stone or slate flooring. Wood has a depth and warmth that looks great and gives your home a warm feeling.
Wood, Not?
A variety of choices are available in both hard woods and other wood types. The type of wood you choose depends on your personal preference and the decor of your home.
Wood is suitable for nearly every room in your home. However, keep wood away from kitchens and bathrooms. The moisture present in these areas will definitely damage the wood.
Choices in Wood Flooring
Hardwood remains a popular choice in wood floors. You have the choice of several different hardwoods. Popular choices include oak, cherry, hickory, maple and walnut. These can be stained a variety of shades and tones.
You could also consider leaving the wood in its natural colour. Some hardwoods, such as walnut and cherry, have a rich tone without the need for staining.
Once you have chosen the material, select your finishing options. You may decide to purchase pre-finished wood. This is already stained and protected with a clear coating. Pre-finished is generally more expensive, but saves a significant amount of time.
Another option is to install the floor and then finish the wood. You will need to sand, stain and apply urethane to the floor. After each coat, the floor must be sanded. This process takes several days to complete. The more coats of urethane you use, the better protected the surface.
A third option is distressed or reclaimed flooring.
These floors don’t have a smooth texture. However, they are beautiful and have character unlike other finishes. Another major benefit of these is they won’t show scratches as easily as urethane floors.
There are also choices other than traditional hardwood.
Laminate flooring offers a choice in flooring. These are made to resemble real hardwood at a lower price. With good quality laminates, it can be difficult to tell it apart from real hard wood. Companies such as Armstrong flooring make high quality laminates. Other choices include cork flooring or bamboo floors.
Caring for Wood Flooring
Proper care will ensure your wood flooring has a good, long life. Whether you choose hardwood, laminate or other options, the care is basically the same. Here are some tips:
- Sweep or vacuum the floor regularly to keep dirt and dust to a minimum. Dirt and grit on the floor wear away the surface and leave scratches in your floor.
- Use mats at the entrances to your home. This way feet can be wiped, preventing much of this dirt from entering your home in the first place.
- Lightly clean the floor when needed. If occasional mopping is needed, use a nearly dry mop. Too much water can seep between the slats and damage your floor. This can cause warping, damage the surface or cause water to become trapped under the floor. This can result in damage to the backing and mould can grow under the floor.
If you require more information about choosing the best type of flooring for your Singapore, book an appointment with us. We’d love to help!
