Installation
WOOD FLOORS – TYPES AND SUITABILITY
Selecting a hardwood or laminate floor
Selecting a new hardwood or laminate floor can be a confusing process, there are thousands of options and as a hardwood floor will be with you for many years your choice today is an important one.
For simplicity we have listed all the flooring types that are typically suitable for installation in the UK. As you follow the step-by-step selection process you may have more questions, which we will be happy to answer either by phone or email.
LAMINATE FLOORING
- Description:
A “woodless” wood floor. Laminate flooring is a wood pattern (photograph/print) bonded to either HDF or chipboard. - Construction / Styles:
Typically 8.5mm in thickness and approximately 190mm wide in various lengths. A wide range of colour choices including oak, maple, beech and cherry. - How is it installed?:
The planks are simply laid over a foam underlay and nowadays are a clic system. Much is made of the versatility of the clic system in that it can be removed if you want to move house and take it with you. In reality this is not practical, as boards will have been cut to fit around doorframes and fireplaces; these boards cannot be reused. - Where can it be fitted?:
Over any level dry sub-floor, but use caution if you are planning an installation in a “wet” area, bathrooms etc. If introduced to moisture the boards will warp and the pattern will simply chip away from the core. - Price:
Between £10 and £28 per square metre for good quality - Why buy?:
Its price and resistance to surface scratching. - Why not?:
It can look very plastic and artificial, although the more expensive laminates look very similar to wood. - DIY:
A good diy choice as they are clic together laminates they don’t require any glue. The photograph of the wood on the surface of the laminate can chip during installation if knocked.
ENGINEERED WOOD OR STRUCTURED
- Description:
A solid wood veneer bonded to two layers of softwood. - Construction/Styles:
Between 8.5mm and 22mm in thickness and from 140mm to 190mm wide. The thicker the board the deeper the hardwood veneer. The popular thickness is 14mm/15mm which have a 4mm hardwood veneer. A very wide range of species/colours including oak, maple, beech, cherry and walnut. - How is it installed?:
The boards are laid over a foam underlay and then glued together. Or use the new clic systems - Where can it be fitted?:
Over any level dry sub-floor. The 22mm options can be laid directly onto joists and make a structural floor. Use caution in “wet” areas. - Price:
Between £15 and £70 per square metre. - Why buy?:
Its appearance and ease of installation. A 15mm option will last over 50 years if cared for. Most of the engineered floors can be re-sanded and sealed if required. - Why not?:
This type of floor is often installed over poor sub-floors and will fail fairly quickly. Be prepared for scratches and chips if barrier matting is not used. - DIY:
A competent diy’er should have no problem installing this kind of flooring. All good products carry comprehensive fitting instructions.
SOLID WOOD
- Description:
As the name suggests, a solid hardwood plank. Think traditional floorboards. - Construction/Styles:
Between 10mm and 22mm in thickness, widths between 57mm and 2000mm. Almost every conceivable species available from oak to bamboo. Solid wood comes un-finished (requires sanding & sealing) and factory pre-finished. - How is it installed?:
There are three fixings methods glue, nail and clip. As these methods are very different in their approach please see installation methods which describes these methods in detail. - Where can it be fitted?:
In almost all locations, if fitted in wet areas careful sealing should take place. - Price:
Between £25 and £90 per square metre - Why buy:
Beautiful and traditional, a good quality floor will last 200 years plus. - Why not:
Prices can be high and installation can be a problem (see fittings methods). - DIY:
We don’t suggest installing this kind of flooring unless you are a competent carpenter and have a good knowledge of flooring types.
