Solid Wood Flooring

What is the difference between Laminated and Wooden Floors?

Laminate floors are the most scratch and dent resistant flooring option in the market, which makes them the winner. However, the top layers have a photographic image of wood which is deceitful as it is not real, it has a plastic layer which is easier to clean. Once the surface layer is worn, it cannot be refinished, the floor will have to be replaced. This is making the lifespan on Laminated Flooring about 10 years.

Engineered Flooring is essentially made of natural hardwood or oak wood on the surface which makes them softer than the synthetic Laminated Flooring. Wooden Floors are a more superior product in this category as the plank’s surface layers are genuine wood. This is making the lifespan on Engineered Flooring around 30 years. Engineered Flooring can be sanded and refinished multiple times.

Both floors include their abilities to retain an authentic timber look and feel.

National Flooring Solutions only make use of the best guaranteed products in the market and all wooden or laminated products are imported from Europe, whereas carpets and other coverings are from the original manufactured countries that has high standard quality products.

Most products are UV resistant and 100% waterproof.

WOODEN FLOORING

When it comes to choosing hardwood floors, you’ve got two main categories to consider: Solid Wood and Engineered Wood.

Engineered wood strips is less susceptible to warping than solid wood, you can find it in planks all the way up to 300mm wide or more.

These days, most of the best hardwood floor brands sell both solid and engineered wood, so you’ve got no shortage of options. Almost all types of wood flooring come in both solid and engineered varieties — most people can’t differentiate between the two.

Each product has its pros and cons. Engineered flooring is occasionally (mistakenly) referred to as “fake wood flooring”, but there’s nothing fake about it. Solid and engineered are just different types of wood flooring.

A wood’s species refers to the type of tree it comes from. The look and feel of a hardwood floor is largely determined by its species, and there are dozens of species to choose from—ranging from domestics like oak and walnut to exotic imports like mahogany and teak.

National Flooring Solutions make use of the Janka scale to measure the hardness of different types of wood flooring. Essentially, it’s the universal guide to a wood floor’s resistance to denting and wear. Technically speaking, the Janka scale measures pounds of force needed to push a steel ball halfway through a piece of wood.

The more pounds of force needed, the harder the wood. A super soft wood has a Janka rating of 70. Maple, on the other hand, has a Janka rating of 1450

Most popular wood species for flooring and their Janka ratings.

OAK FLOORING

Oak is by far the most popular species for hardwood flooring. Most domestic oak flooring is one of two types: red oak or white oak.

Red Oak is the warmer of the two. It produces floors with pinkish, red, or rust undertones, and has a good amount of grain variation and charact
White Oak tends to have cooler, grey-green undertones and a smoother, more uniform grain appearance, but with less character and variation than red oak.

ASH FLOORING

If you’re looking for contemporary wood flooring types, you couldn’t do better than opting for Ash Flooring. Ash boasts an excellent Janka rating (1320). Plus, its light grain works super well in modern designs. And, it’s known for its ability to take a stain—meaning you can customize it to your liking.

WALNUT FLOORING

Although it’s one of the softer hardwood flooring options (with a Janka rating of 1010), walnut boasts a rich, chocolate-brown colour and beautifully detailed graining. If you’re looking for something that feels luxurious, it’s a great option. This is an American walnut and not Brazilian. While they might look similar, they’re entirely different types of wood flooring (with different pros and cons).

MAPLE FLOORING

Maple flooring is second only to oak in terms of popularity. Ranging from pale, creamy white to light, reddish-brown, maple floors are beloved for their fine, subdued grain.

Maple can be difficult to stain (but it does take neutral finishes well). It’s also one of the harder domestic species, with a Janka rating of 1450—so it’s a good hardwood floor for dogs and kids.

HICKORY FLOORING

If you’re looking for a hardwood floor with a ton of character, Hickory might be the right flooring choice for you. The grain is complex and varied, so it’s best displayed in long, wide planks. Like oak and maple, hickory scores high on the Janka scale with a rating of 1820. Hickory flooring is the hardest domestic wood species there is and a fantastic choice.

MAHOGANY FLOORING

Mahogany is considered an “exotic” wood and can be a bit pricier than its domestic counterparts. It is loved for its warmth, richness, and beautiful wavy grain. If you ask us, mahogany feels like old-fashioned wealth, and beautiful leather chairs, almost grandfatherly advice, … well, you get the idea. Genuine mahogany (not “Santos Mahogany”) has a ridiculously high Janka rating of 2697.

Again, genuine mahogany and Santos mahogany are two distinct types of wood flooring, just like American walnut and Brazilian walnut.

TEAK FLOORING

Another exotic wood, teak is full of natural oils that make it shine, even with minimal finish. Also on the pricey side, but its warmth and radiance make it a perennial favourite. It has a high Janka rating too (2330), so it’s another good choice for houses with kids or pets.

PINE FLOORING

CORK FLOORING

Cultivated from tree bark (rather than wood), cork flooring is one of the most sustainable flooring options around. Soft and comfortable underfoot, it also has great insulation and acoustic properties. Plus, it’s great for people with joint issues because it’s so springy. And all of the best cork flooring products are anti-microbial— perfect for people with allergies. Most of the disadvantages of cork flooring boil down to the material’s softness. It is more susceptible to denting and scratching. It’s also susceptible to moisture and humidity, which can cause warping or curling in certain climates. And that susceptibility means it also needs to be sealed more often than other types of wood flooring, which can be a hassle.

Pro tip: some of the cork flooring Lowe’s and Home Depot sells is not actually made of cork. Be careful buying from box stores!

BAMBOO FLOORING

Bamboo can grow to maturity in as little as three to five years, an amazingly eco-friendly material. The best bamboo flooring can be compared to oak, with Janka ratings between 1600 and 1900. Strand-woven bamboo floors can have Janka ratings of 3000 or higher. That is seriously strong!