Different types of wood flooring provide homeowners with versatility when it comes to choosing the right material and price point for their house.
Since there are varying options in terms of durability, coloring, price, and style, homeowners can choose the type of wood flooring that works for their unique needs.
Why Choose Wood Flooring?
There are seven most common types of wood flooring that will be used in houses, apartments, condos, offices, and other buildings in 2024.
The different kinds of flooring each have unique benefits and drawbacks, which can help buyers decide on the best option for their space.
In general, wood flooring is an excellent choice because of its longevity, low maintenance, and easy fixability.
Although it is more expensive than other types of flooring, it’s well worth the investment as it will increase the property’s resale value.
The 7 Most Popular Types of Wood Flooring
There are seven most common types of wood flooring you typically see in buildings and homes.
Before choosing one for your space, let’s see the pros and cons of each type of flooring.
1. Click-Lock Flooring
Click-lock flooring is a wooden floor with interlocking joints, making installation a cinch. The perks of this type of flooring are that they are durable and immovable once you click the pieces into the correct position.
A click-lock floor is simple for beginner DIYers to put together, making the installation process fast and easy. Plus, you don’t need to purchase separate adhesive or extra tools to install the wooden flooring.
Furthermore, this type of flooring ensures no gaps, holes, or breaks between the pieces, keeping the floor tight together and preventing any leaks in the wood.
Lastly, the click-lock flooring lets owners lift out the wooden planks if they need to get to something underneath the floor. This allows for added versatility when fixing any issues on the house’s foundation.
2. Wood Effect Flooring
Another common type of wood flooring homeowners and building owners may choose is wood effect flooring. This type of flooring is durable, aesthetic, and practical for ethically-conscious homeowners.
The perks of using wood effect flooring instead of other wood flooring types are that it is versatile in any room and easy to clean and maintain.
The drawbacks of using wood effect tiles are that they can be noisy and cold, making them unsuitable for bedrooms and hallways.
3. Solid Wood Flooring
Solid wood flooring is another popular choice for homeowners in 2024. Solid wood flooring uses boards typically between 18-20mm thick. This type of wood is versatile and customizable, making it a smart choice for homeowners who want flooring to match their unique interior style.
Solid wood flooring can be sanded and fitted to work with customized planks, reducing the chance of any holes or gaps between the wood. The perk of using solid wood flooring compared to other types is its timeless and classic feel that will never go out of style.
Plus, solid wood flooring enhances the aesthetics and value of the home if you are thinking of putting your house on the market. The only drawbacks of this type of wood flooring are that solid wood flooring must use adhesives to stay put.
Plus, solid wood flooring is more expensive when compared to laminate or engineered wood flooring. Solid wood flooring typically costs around $16 per square meter for the least costly options.
4. Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood flooring contains three to four layers that add to the durability and long-lasting nature of this choice. The wood veneer and the thicker material help withstand scrapes, dings, and multiple years of use compared to thinner products.
Some homeowners may even purchase engineered wood flooring with a click-lock flooring mechanism to increase the user-friendliness of this type of flooring.
The main perks of engineered wood flooring are long-lasting durability, stability, and less expensive price point compared to solid wood. The only drawback of engineered wood flooring is that they are pricier than laminate flooring. Engineered flooring is around $20 per square meter.
5. Reclaimed Wood Flooring
Reclaimed wood flooring is a type of wood used in other properties and recycled for an environmentally and eco-conscious choice. This type of wood flooring is known for being very durable and ethical.
One perk of using reclaimed wood flooring is that it is suitable for environmentally-conscious homeowners who want to recycle their materials.
Plus, this type of wood works well in vintage and classically-styled homes. Lastly, reclaimed wood is versatile because it can be stained or painted to match the home’s interior or office space.
The only downsides of using reclaimed wood flooring are the high price point and the potential safety issues. Ensure that a company inspects the wood before installing it in your home.
6. Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is a type of wood flooring that is technically considered to be made out of ‘grass’ instead of solely wood. This type of wood flooring uses its own grain instead of hardwood trees, which makes it more sustainable, unique, and low-maintenance.
The perks of using bamboo flooring compared to all-wood flooring are that it is sustainable and more durable than other wood flooring types.
Plus, bamboo flooring is easy to clean and maintain over time. The only downside of bamboo flooring is that the adhesive could emit toxic and unsafe chemicals over long periods.
7. Parquet Flooring
Parquet wood flooring is a unique type of flooring that uses short wooden strips organized in a specific pattern. This flooring suits those who want a geometric addition to their home to add a unique style and personalized look.
The perk of using parquet wood flooring is that it can bring a new dimension to a room that would otherwise be considered bland or boring. Plus, this flooring works well for areas of high traffic and has the potential for scuffs and marks.
The only downside of this flooring is that it can be more expensive than laminate flooring and hard to install. Plus, parquet flooring could fade in high-sunlight areas, which reduces the versatility of this type of flooring for kitchens or bathrooms with big windows.
Things to Consider
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There are a few things to keep in mind when buying wood flooring for your home or office space.
Price Point
One of the main factors people consider when choosing the types of wood flooring for their home is the price. Some wood flooring options can run as low as $12 per square meter, whereas others can be in the hundreds.
Energy Efficiency
Some wood flooring types are energy efficient and eco-conscious, making them more appealing to ethical homeowners.
Durability
You want flooring that will last. Make sure that when you choose the type of wood flooring for your home, you choose a durable material that can withstand years of scuffs, scrapes, and constant traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
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There are some commonly asked questions from homeowners that can help the decision-making process when it comes to wood flooring types.
Which type of wood flooring is best?
The ‘best’ type of wood flooring depends on your personal preferences.
However, some types of wood flooring that are long-lasting, pricy, and durable include oak, maple, and cherry floors.
What are the three types of wood flooring?
Although there are various types of wood flooring, you will find three very common options this year: engineered wood flooring, solid wood flooring, and reclaimed wood flooring.
What’s the most durable flooring?
Some of the most durable types of flooring include engineered wood, solid hardwood, laminate, concrete, stone, or bamboo.
Homeowners need to consider whether they want to purchase wood flooring for their house or if they would prefer another type of material that could last longer than solid wood.
What type of wood is most durable for flooring?
The most durable type of wood for flooring includes bamboo, oak, cherry, ebony, or maple.
Bamboo flooring
May technically be made out of grass, but its properties and qualities make it just like a durable and sturdy hardwood floor.
Not to mention, bamboo comes in various types, meaning that homeowners can choose the precise type of durability and aesthetics they want for their homes.
Oak flooring
Is considered the gold standard when it comes to hardwood flooring. When comparing oak floors to other options on the market, it has a middle-of-the-road score in terms of ‘hardness’ and durability.
This makes it an affordable and smart option for those who want a long-lasting flooring choice for their home.
Cherry flooring
With specific types like Jatoba, is a durable and long-lasting flooring type that is actually harder than the industry standard oak flooring.
We like how cherry flooring is sustainable, strong, and elegant looking.
Ebony flooring
Is more expensive than other options due to its rarity, but its durability, dark black coloring, and extreme toughness make it highly sought after on the market.
Maple flooring
Is a modern, sleek, and aesthetic type of wood flooring that is in the middle of the pack in terms of durability.
Homeowners love the sleek finish and upscale look of modern and high-end homes that may be on the market soon.
Which is better: Solid Hardwood or Engineered Hardwood?
Engineered wood flooring is good for those who want a moisture-resistant option for bathrooms and kitchens, whereas solid hardwood is more durable and long-lasting throughout the rest of the house.
There are pros and cons to each type of wood flooring option for your home, taking into account durability, stability, price, refurbishing potential, and thickness.
- Longevity. Engineered hardwood flooring is flexible and durable, lasting between 25-30 years. Solid hardwood flooring can be refinished and refurbished multiple times throughout its lifespan, making the longevity similar in both cases.
- Price. Solid hardwood is more expensive per square foot, coming to $8 to $15, whereas engineered hardwood is $3 to $14 per square foot.
- Refinishing capabilities. Solid hardwood is more durable in terms of refinishing potential, with solid hardwood flooring easily restorable up to 4x in its lifespan, compared to 1-2x for engineered hardwood flooring.
- Stability. Engineered hardwood flooring is more resistant to warping or bending, whereas solid hardwood can bend, crack, or warp in humid weather.
- Thickness.Solid hardwood flooring is thicker and harder than engineered hardwood flooring.
Which Type of Wood Flooring Is Right for You?
As you can see, homeowners need to weigh the pros and cons of the most common types of wood flooring in 2022 to see which one is best for their home and their needs.
Before choosing a type of wood flooring, homeowners need to consider a few factors, such as personal style, price, the amount needed, interior decor, and durability.
Taking every aspect into account can help owners make smart decisions when it comes to what type of wood flooring works best for their home, apartment, or office building.
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