Best Wood Flooring for High Traffic Areas
Best Wood Flooring for High Traffic Areas
When it comes to choosing the best wood flooring for high-traffic areas, there are a few things to consider. Durability, maintenance, and appearance are all important factors. Within most family homes, the kitchen, living room, and hallway are all classed as high-traffic areas. We suggest when considering your flooring purchase, you review the footfall which will be passing over this specific area, allowing you to make a more informed purchase.
One of the most popular options for high-traffic areas is engineered wood flooring. Engineered hardwood is made up of a top layer of real hardwood, most commonly oak, with multiple layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) beneath it. This construction makes it more stable and less likely to expand or contract with changes in temperature and humidity, in comparison to solid wood flooring, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas.
When it comes to maintenance, engineered hardwood is often considered to be easier to care for than solid hardwood. Engineered hardwood and solid hardwood only need regular sweeping and vacuuming on a regular basis for basic maintenance. Avoid using water to clean wood. Should you have any concerns regarding how to clean and maintain your hardwood flooring, simply view our cleaning and maintenance guide.
Appearance
In terms of appearance, engineered hardwood flooring offers a wide range of options. Engineered hardwood is available in a variety of finishes and stains, which have been designed to enhance the key features of real wood flooring, where the true effect cannot be completely replicated in manmade flooring, such as laminate. Within engineered wood flooring you are able to find a wide variety of species depending on the look you desire, from classic white oak through to American black walnut. Grading also plays a large role in terms of the appearance you desire. If you are looking for something with a little more character, we suggest looking at our Old Town Distressed Range, alternatively if you prefer a more minimalistic look we would suggest looking for a prime grade floor.
When it comes to choosing the best wood flooring for high traffic areas, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget. Engineered hardwood flooring is a great option for those looking for durability and ease of maintenance, Engineered wood flooring will not naturally expand and contract as much as solid wood with the changes in temperature, which make it suitable for rooms like a conservatory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when you're thinking of buying a wood flooring, you should consider the traffic of the area you're going to place it, and the features of the different types of wood flooring. Keep in mind that engineered hardwood flooring is more stable and less likely to expand or contract. We would also suggest purchasing a floor with a thicker veneer which over time would potentially allow you to sand and refinish the flooring, rather than completely having to purchase a new floor.