Timber is an Aussie tradition, and much like outdoor living, you just can’t get away from it. Why should we now have all our precious woods protected and sustainable?
Timber is ideal for both traditional and contemporary looks and projects.
Beyond the aesthetic value on the surface, there are a number of factors that are paramount in making your deck design and deck construction into a truly exceptional timber masterpiece.
We understand the significance of choosing suitable timber floors for your project. Starting with types of timber flooring and their benefits and considerations, the following is a complete guide to timber decking, outdoor living, deck design and deck construction all-in-one and help you to get it right; the first time around.
What Advantages Will Timber Flooring Bring?
Timber is always a major consideration for any homeowner or hospitality venue when a renovation project is on the menu. It’s the obvious choice, as the majority of professionals you will find online or already know have been fitting variations forever!
It has numerous benefits and advantages to it, not least how the finished product looks.
Durability & Longevity
Unmatched durability and longevity are what make timber products quite popular, and timber flooring is no exception! Its inherent resilience enables it to survive daily abuse, which is perfect for high-traffic areas in both homes and commercial areas.
Timber floors, if taken care of, will pass the tests of time, preserving your investment for years on end and leaving your space with the charm it once had.
Natural Insulation
It is a fact that the aesthetic and operational advantages of timber flooring are well-known, but one advantage that is usually ignored is its natural insulation properties. Timber floors are natural insulation against temperature variations, and as a result, you enjoy a pleasant living atmosphere throughout the year.
In colder seasons, timber flooring preserves the warmth by reducing the need for excessive heating, and this leads to energy saving. However, during the summer heat, timber flooring can also help to keep your area cool, making you use less artificial cooling systems and hence further reducing energy efficiency.
Low Maintenance
As lives get busier, it’s annoying to keep cleaning the floors, especially with carpet. Timber is a lot less demanding, easy to deal with and just a regular sweep and mop now again, is all she wrote!
Easily Restored
Restoration ease is one of the unique advantages of timber flooring. With the passage of time, timber floors, when showing signs of wear and tear, can easily be sanded and refinished back to their original glory. This inexpensive method revitalises the wood and provides you with the possibility to enjoy its look (and other advantages!) over the years.
Style
With style, only some alternatives could beat timber flooring options. Timber flooring is gifted with a natural warmth and a spectrum of full tones, and it can completely change any area.
Timber is customisable, which gives it the nod over many of its contemporaries.
You can stain it or oil it; either of these will bring out different colours and visuals, almost like you’ve changed your mind! And, of course, if you want to go down the road of painting it…you can!
Put it this way: Timber Gives You Options!
Timber flooring can be customised to suit your requirements and give you a completely bespoke interior, be it a classic, time-worn look or a modern-day statement.
Sustainable
Wooden floors are often strikingly superior to non-renewable substitutes. Timber flooring not only requires minimal energy consumption during production but also has natural insulating properties, which make it an environmentally superior choice.
Timber is also a very recyclable material, which can be withdrawn from a project and resold to other users and sent to recycling centres, where it is turned into other products.
The process of recycling not only decreases waste but also conserves valuable resources, thus turning timber flooring into an even more environmentally friendly option.
Timber in Sustainable Building: Advantages of Opting for Green
With timber, you’ve got the common types, which are:
- Solid Timber Flooring
- Engineered Timber Flooring
- And Laminate Timber Flooring…
We are going to go into all of these in depth in this article. If you are using a professional or firm to do the work, then they will already know the characteristics of each of these and their unique qualities. As these are the cornerstones of timber flooring and other options like decking and deck design.
It gives you flexibility in looks, design, and your wallet!
- Timber = Solid
- Engineered = Stability
- Laminate = Practicality.
Solid Timber Flooring
Solid timber flooring is one of the oldest and the most classical flooring options.
Fitters like solid timber as it consists of perfect planks that fit seamlessly into sub-floors, joists or other surfaces, saving time and effort.
Despite the fact that it would require a higher initial investment, solid timber flooring is known for its outstanding durability and can last for decades and even generations with proper care and maintenance. This fact makes it a favourite pick for homeowners who are not only aiming to increase the value of their property but also investing in a floor solution that is resistant to daily wear and tear.
Timeless and truly authentic appearance is a characteristic feature of solid timber flooring. The organic grains and textures of the wood produce a comfortable and hospitable atmosphere that never gets old.
Also, solid timber floors can be sanded and refinished many times, providing the flexibility of adapting the colour to suit the changing style preferences or fixing any damage or wear and tear caused over time.
See also: MyFlexBot: Revolutionizing Automation in Everyday Tasks
Choosing the Right Timber Floor – Oak Timber Floors in an Unfurnished House
Engineered Timber Flooring
Engineered timber flooring is a preferred alternative that achieves the elegance of real timber while offering improved durability and resistance to moisture. It is a hybrid that is composed of a layer of real timber on top of a plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) core, thus making it a stable and long-lasting flooring option.
Besides being highly durable, engineered timber flooring presents a variety of styles and finishes to suit different design tastes. The options are diverse, from varying timber species to different plank widths and finishes, enabling you to construct a unique and personalised space. The low maintenance needs that it has makes it very appealing for busy households or commercial spaces.
Engineered timber flooring offers another benefit in terms of affordability. In comparison with solid timber flooring, the engineered alternatives can be more price competitive yet still offer the natural aesthetic of genuine timber.
Contemporary Wooden Floor Living Room
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a very good choice for people looking for cost-effective alternatives to solid or engineered timber flooring. Being composed of compressed fiberboard with timber image printed on top, laminate flooring is an economical style of flooring that is easy to install.
Installation of laminate flooring is simple and usually uses a click-and-lock system with no adhesive being required. This do-it-yourself-friendly installation method can be time and cost-efficient, so it seems to be a perfect choice for homeowners or even property owners desiring convenience.
Laminate flooring is a low-maintenance product. It has a tough and hardy surface that remains relatively stain, scratch, and fade-free. Sweeping or vacuuming regularly and sometimes damp mopping is usually enough to maintain laminate flooring in its best shape.
What To Look For In Choosing Timber Flooring
There is no single timber flooring solution for your home. Every space is different, and what would suit one space may not be the best choice for another. Attention to a number of important factors will also help you to get the desired result that corresponds to your requirements and desires.
These include:
Style & Appearance
Begin by selecting what type of wood will suit your dream. Various types of timber species have unique properties in colour, grain pattern and hardness. Some of the popular choices are oak, spotted gum, and ironbark. Make sure that you select a timber that matches the interior design of the house and is based on your chosen style.
Type Of Property
Think of the nature of the property you have, whether it is a residential dwelling, an office space or a business premise. The property specifics will help you find the right timber flooring to suit the needs of your space and your tastes.
Room Function
The use of each room is one of the important aspects when choosing suitable timber flooring. In hallways or living rooms, resilient and scratch-resistant options may be more appropriate, while in any bedroom and study, comfort and warmth underfoot may be the priorities.
Maintenance Preferences
In choosing timber flooring, it is very important to take into account both your maintenance preferences and abilities. Even though some timber flooring options are still quite low maintenance, some will need to be refinished or resealed on a more regular basis to ensure that they remain in top condition. If you like a no-fuss option, laminate flooring alternatives are perfect since they are scratch and stain-resistant.
Budget
Budget and cost are two of the main determinants when selecting timber flooring. Timber options are priced differently, so knowing your financial constraints will help you narrow down your choices and select a flooring solution that meets your requirements and budget. As mentioned earlier, solid timber flooring, while sturdy and long-lasting, demands a higher initial outlay, while engineered and laminate replacements represent the most cost-effective alternatives.
Installation
Another critical aspect is the installation. For solid timber and some other options, professional installation is recommended, whereas laminate and other options are considered for do-it-yourself installation. Remember to consider the time and the cost of the installation before you make your choice.
SUMMARY
We all are addicted to timber flooring in Australia and now due to the concerted effort of the varying governments over the last two to three decades, thankfully, our precious Australian woods are now sustainable and looked after. So, no more need to concern ourselves with our environmental footprint, which is a major consideration for people globally. When it comes to timber decking, outdoor living, deck design and deck construction, the world’s your oyster due to its flexibility. Now, you can just concentrate on getting it right and making sure your vision comes to life.
