However, there are many cheaper alternatives available nowadays which give the same great appearance as solid wood floors. Engineered oak flooring is just one of these options which come in cheaper, primarily because it is made like a sandwich – with oak as the ‘bread’ and a plywood filling. This reduces the amount of oak, which would bump up the price, while still giving you the advantages of a real wood floor. It is also suitable for use with underfloor heating, unlike solid wood floors.

Another cheaper alternative to solid wood is laminate flooring, which is also great if you wish to install your floor yourself with its simple click system. Our commercial laminate flooring doesn’t compromise on style options either – you can choose from a variety of wood styles and finishes, including stone and ceramic. You can also choose the size of the planks used, which adds to the overall appearance when the floor is completed. We stock quality laminate floors, such as Pergo and Quick Step, which are suitable for domestic or commercial use.

Order three free samples to be delivered free if you can’t decide between our many colour and style options.

Another great advantage of having laminate flooring is that most people can install it themselves (or know someone who can!), because it works on a simple click system. Unlike solid wood, there is no need for nails or even glue, as the grooves slot together and hold it firmly in place. This again makes it much cheaper to install, particularly because you won’t need to pay for the services of a professional fitter.

When it comes to maintenance, while solid wood is known for its durability, laminate is also hard wearing. It offers advantages over solid wood, however, because it is scratch resistant and also fade resistant, making it a much better option for anyone with children or pets, and particularly for high traffic areas in the home. Understandably, this also makes it the best option for commercial property, which receives a lot of traffic.

Although engineered wood floors cope much better with water than solid wood, this doesn’t mean that you should leave spills to soak in! Nor should you use copious amounts when mopping your floor. For regular cleaning, sweep or vacuum to keep your floor free of dust and daily grime.

All real wooden floors are at risk of being scratched or dent, but there are ways that you can minimise this. For high traffic areas, consider laying down rugs or mats, and use furniture pads to protect the flooring from the pressure of table or bed legs, and never drag furniture across the floor. Perhaps also have a rule where family members and visitors don’t wear shoes indoors, and be wary if you have small children that may scratch the floor with their toys (or worse – draw on it with markers!). That said, wood flooring is extremely durable, and so it will be able to withstand a fair amount of wear and tear before the effects start to show.

Depending on the colour and finish you choose, wooden flooring can be just as warm and inviting as carpet. Oak is a popular choice because its tones convey warmth, but there are plenty of other options that you can choose from. If you have or are considering installing underfloor heating, however, beware. Solid wood floors cannot be used with this kind of heating, so you should opt for engineered wood floors or laminate instead. Unlike laminate, engineered flooring is still made from real wood, but its plywood base makes it compatible for coping with temperature changes.

Both engineered wood floors and laminate are very easy to install yourself, which will save you money on having to employ a professional to do it for you. Unless you’re particularly gifted at DIY, however, we don’t recommend trying to install your solid wood flooring yourself.

•    What kind of tenants are you expecting? For student digs and low cost rentals, solid oak floors probably aren’t the best investment simply because they’re likely to be under-appreciated and not cared for very well (we’ve all been students!) That said, solid wood flooring is exceptionally durable and hardy.

•    You need to think about hypoallergenic flooring if you want to cover all bases. Carpets are strongly advised against by medical professionals and flooring experts. Carpets harbour dust that can be easily agitated, setting off allergies and asthma. Smooth floors that can be vacuumed, swept and cleaned with a damp mop are ideal.

•    Cleanliness is a huge part of rental properties. Carpets typically harbour grime and bacteria. Smooth flooring like laminate and engineered floors offer exceptional easy-to-clean characteristics. But it’s not just about landlords knowing their property is easy to clean when tenants leave, it’s about making life as simple and effortlessly stylish as possible for tenants.

•    Comfort is a huge part of why people choose to rent a particular property. Wood flooring is wonderfully chic, but it’s also gloriously natural and comforting to walk on. Our ranges of wood floors fit into every style, every life and every budget.

For most of our private clients, the choice comes down to two things – budget and style. Take the example of oak flooring. It’s not always possible to fulfil the dream of a full house of unfinished oak flooring to be lovingly finished in line with current style wishes. But there are plenty of other options, e.g. engineered oak flooring.

Although one of the benefits of solid wood flooring is its fantastic durability, engineered flooring can yield exceptional results in terms of investment. Solid wood flooring is famed for its multiple refinishing quality, but most flooring experts agree that, depending on the layer thickness, an engineered wood floor can be refinished between one and three times.

For those dead set on natural hardwood flooring, the style and durability aspects are second to none. In terms of future investment, hardwood flooring certainly ticks the boxes of “Great for Now” and “Great Selling Point Later”

Of course, these findings are all subjective to the individuals involved. If carpet were a serious health risk to everyone, we’d all be sniffling, sneezing asthmatic adults. But the HFN report should, as least, help a few individuals who are worried about their flooring choices.

We’re wood flooring experts, and our take on the HFN report (backed up by their own conclusions) is that smooth flooring is the best option when it comes to reducing the plight of allergy sufferers etc in the home or office.

Both engineered and solid wood flooring are exceptionally durable and allergy-friendly. Unfinished wood flooring solutions can typically be treated to combat particular mould, bacteria etc. using solvent-free, low toxicity products. Daily sweeping and occasional cleaning with a dry cloth can prevent the build-up of dust.

Laminate flooring can be cleaned with a mop and bucket – ideal when agitating dust is a concern. We carry exceptional discount laminate flooring from top brands like Pergo and Quickstep.

•    More people than ever are looking for the finished product. That means a property they have to do very little to in order to be happy with it. Essentially, this means you can ask a little more for your property (or not be forced into a reduction) by creating a solid base of great fixtures, fittings and decor, e.g. a white bathroom, freshly painted kitchen cabinets, quality flooring etc. If solid oak floors are a little out of your budget, go for something classic and simple like engineered oak flooring instead.

•    For many buyers, it’s quality that matters. Expertly fitted engineered wood floors could actually trump old, badly installed solid wood flooring simply because buyers won’t need to worry about future maintenance.

•    If you live in a unique house, play to the strengths of the decor. For example, a quaint English cottage in a rural village almost always suits some period-inspired features. Who are your target markets? Retired couples? Young, single professionals? Families moving up the property ladder? All estate agents agree that playing to the strengths of the property can be monumentally beneficial.

Boen
The Boen brand is synonymous with two things – high standards and ethical product development. Boen wood flooring is always developed with waste management and environmental futures in mind. All Boen products are created under guidelines with The Forestry Commission and Boen’s own strict quality and environmental control standards. We’re happy to carry the exceptional label of Boen in our store.

Tarkett
Parquet flooring is, in our opinion, one of the most elegant flooring choices. The Tarkett brand is 125-years-old, which we think is ample time to establish an exceptionally motivated luxury flooring brand. Never one to shy away from modern development, Tarkett also manufactures one of our top engineered floor recommendations for the busy household – the Salsa 3-Strip Ultraloc.

Pergo
The parent company of laminate floors, Pergo have never left the forefront of laminate floor product development. Always of the highest quality and always ahead of the game, Pergo boasts some of the most innovative laminate flooring solutions on the market.

Quickstep
We stock a huge range of products from Quickstep. Although only 40-years-old (a relative youngster in the flooring world) Quickstep has fast become a household name thanks to superb product quality, diverse flooring solutions and a well-deserved global reputation for budget-friendly excellence.

Choosing the right flooring is about finding solutions that work with your lifestyle. After all, it’s potentially going to last a lifetime!

1. What’s the difference between solid wood flooring and engineered floors?
Hardwood flooring is made using 100% solid wood. It typically ages over time, can shrink or expand a little (in response to temperature and environment) and can typically be refinished multiple times by the owner. Engineered flooring is made using a layer of solid wood set onto several synthetic layers. It’s usually cheaper than solid wood but often more suited to humid environments. In terms of quality, we believe the best flooring is that which meets your needs.

2. What kind of differences are there between types of hardwood floor?
We carry several ranges of hardwood floor, and for the most part the differences are cosmetic and more a matter of style than characteristics.

3. How long do hardwood floors last?
There are numerous environmental and use variables that can affect the life of a hardwood floor. Most of them are a matter of common sense, e.g. a floor in a little used formal dining room will last longer than the kitchen floor of a bustling household. Our flooring carries exceptionally long guarantees because we believe a well maintained floor can last a lifetime.

4. What kind of care do solid wood floors require?
Simple sweeping and occasional cleaning with a dry cloth is all you need on a regular basis. Consider placing rugs over spots vulnerable to heavy foot traffic.