Wood Flooring – Everything You Need to Know

The timeless charm beneath our feet

There's something about walking into a room and seeing hardwood floors gleaming in the afternoon light. They don't just sit under furniture; they set the tone of a home, carrying warmth, history, and a kind of quiet confidence. The natural grain tells stories no laminate can truly mimic, and every subtle knot and shade variation feels like an echo from the forest it once belonged to.

Over the years, demand for hardwood flooring has grown steadily. Manufacturers, responding to this desire, have refined finishes, strengthened construction methods, and expanded their offerings. From traditional oak and maple to exotic species sourced across continents, the options now are vast enough to overwhelm even the most decisive homeowner.

Solid hardwood floors – history you can walk on

Solid wood floors are exactly as they sound: planks crafted from a single, unbroken piece of wood. They arrive with tongue-and-groove sides, ready for either a pre-finished installation or sanding and staining on-site. There's an old-world honesty to them—they can be refinished multiple times, sometimes lasting well over a century with the right care. In fact, there are floors more than 100 years old still gracing homes, each bearing the marks of countless footsteps.

Yet, they're also sensitive souls. Moisture—or the lack of it—makes them shift. In winter, heated air draws moisture from the planks, creating small gaps. Come summer's humidity, the wood swells and those gaps disappear. Too much moisture, however, and they may cup or buckle. That's why installers leave expansion gaps around the perimeter and acclimate the wood before fitting it into place.

Engineered wood floors – stability meets style

Engineered wood is a modern answer to the challenges of solid wood. Built from several layers (plies) glued together, these floors feature a hardwood veneer on top, a softer wood core in the middle, and another stabilizing ply beneath. Each layer is positioned with its grain running perpendicular to the one above, creating what's known as cross-ply construction. This structure counters the natural tendency of wood to expand across its width, making engineered floors far less vulnerable to changes in humidity.

They're versatile too—ideal for floating installations and often available with click systems that eliminate the need for nails or glue. For spaces where solid hardwood might not survive happily, engineered wood is a smart alternative.

Veneer wood floors – the in-between choice

Veneer flooring blends aspects of engineered wood and laminate. At its heart is a thin layer of genuine hardwood—about 0.7mm—bonded over a composite base. The total thickness is often around 8mm. They're easy to install, often via floating methods, and give you the look of real wood without the cost or complexity of thicker planks. While they can't be refinished like solid wood, their simplicity and affordability make them appealing for quick transformations.

Factory pre-finished wood floors – ready in a day

One reason pre-finished floors are so popular is time. Instead of days of sanding, staining, and sealing, you can have your floor down and ready to walk on in just one day. Manufacturers apply multiple coats—often six to ten—of UV-cured urethane in controlled environments, creating a finish that's hard to match on-site.

Some of the most common finishes include:

• UV-cured: Hardened using ultraviolet light rather than heat.
• Polyurethane: Clear, durable, and a classic choice for wear resistance.
• Acrylic-urethane: Similar to polyurethane with subtle chemical differences but equal durability.
• Aluminium oxide: Added to the finish for increased scratch resistance—common in higher-grade flooring.
• Acrylic impregnated: Acrylic fills the wood's cell structure, increasing hardness before applying the topcoat.

Unfinished wood floors – for custom craftsmanship

If you're aiming for a perfect stain match with existing trim or want a one-of-a-kind tone, unfinished hardwood is the path. Installed as bare wood, it's then sanded, stained, and sealed in place. The process takes days, and it's dusty and labor-intensive, but the result is uniquely yours. This route also allows for fine-tuning the sheen, texture, and color in ways pre-finished planks can't replicate.

Installation methods – more than one way to lay a floor

Choosing your wood type is only half the story—how it's installed matters just as much.

• Nail down: Solid wood planks are nailed to a wood subfloor using a flooring nailer and mallet. Best suited to wooden substrates, never directly over concrete.
• Glue down: Engineered wood and parquet can be adhered with recommended adhesives spread evenly across the subfloor.
• Floating: A thin underlay is placed beneath, and planks are glued or clicked together without attachment to the subfloor. Fast, clean, and suitable for engineered or veneer options.

Choosing what's right for you

The best wood flooring for your home depends on your environment, budget, and lifestyle. Solid wood offers longevity and beauty for generations, but needs stable conditions. Engineered wood brings resilience to changing climates. Veneer floors deliver style and speed for quick updates. Factor in finish, installation method, and maintenance expectations before deciding.

A floor worth every step

Wood flooring isn't just a surface—it's the stage where life plays out. It holds up furniture, pets, and the rush of everyday feet. It soaks in quiet moments and reflects the light differently with every passing season. Whether you choose the depth of solid oak, the balance of engineered planks, or the approachable charm of veneer, each step is a reminder of why this material has captivated homeowners for centuries.

Some floors hold the memory of every step, quietly keeping the warmth long after the day has gone.