Month: January 2021

If you’re in the process of remodeling or building a house, you’ve likely asked yourself what flooring option will be best for you and your family. If you’ve decided against carpet, you likely now find yourself toying with the idea of laminate vs hardwood flooring. There’s a lot of information out there, so we’ve compiled a complete recap of both options so you can make the best decision for your home. Read on if you’d like to learn more.

Hardwood Flooring vs. Laminate Flooring – What’s the Difference?

First, we should discuss what each flooring option actually is. Hardwood floors are a product manufactured from timber that you install and use as flooring. Hardwood flooring comes in a variety of forms – from oak to maple or even hickory hardwoods. You can choose from softwoods or hardwoods and even various designs and thicknesses. Hardwood flooring is generally considered timeless and can last for hundreds of years if maintained properly.

On the other hand, laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic product blended together with a lamination process. It emulates the look of wood and is generally a more budget-friendly option. Laminate is also considered to be highly durable and scratch/stain resistant.

Photos courtesy of unsplash.com

Look and Feel

For the most part, traditional hardwood flooring is going to be more timeless and more attractive. Since laminate flooring is trying to imitate hardwood flooring, it’s hard to beat the real deal. From a distance, most laminate flooring (when installed correctly) can look like real hardwoods, but up close you can generally tell the difference in quality.

Without a doubt, if you’re choosing solely based on appearance, hardwoods are the way to go. However, we know that appearance isn’t the only factor when choosing flooring. Things like durability and cost are also big factors.

Durability – Which Stands the Test of Time?

Have you ever seen a home renovation show where the owners pull up the carpet to reveal beautiful, old hardwood flooring? Most of the time these hardwood floors are very old. When cared for, hardwood flooring can last many lifetimes. The instances where hardwoods get ruined are usually under extreme amounts of distress from events like flooding. For upkeep, we recommend recoating and refinishing periodically, which will ensure your flooring lasts for years to come.

Laminate flooring is also a great option if you’re looking for durability, but in general, it’s not as durable as hardwoods. Laminate flooring is usually good for up to 10 years, but beyond that, you may start to see more wear and tear. Also worth noting is that laminate usually doesn’t do well under extreme pressure – If you drop a heavy enough object laminate has been known to dent.

In terms of maintenance, both options are relatively the same. Both can easily be swept with a broom or cleaned with a mop. In general, most hardwoods these days are sealed with polyurethane varnish which shouldn’t be polished or waxed. Similarly, laminate flooring does not need to be waxed.

Cost and Installation

If you’re looking for easy installation, laminate flooring is the way to go. While hardwoods are usually installed by professionals and take a certain skill set, laminate flooring is much easier to install by yourself. Hardwoods require a lot of sanding and finishing, but laminates simply click together at the edges and don’t need fasteners and glue. Another point to note is that most hardwood flooring companies, like Macdonald Hardwoods, only sell pre-finished hardwoods. The majority of the time, the sanding is done at the mill.

Additionally, if cost is a major factor in your flooring decision, laminate flooring is generally much cheaper than hardwood floors. The average hardwood flooring cost is between $4 to $12 per square foot, with an average cost of about $8 per square foot. This of course depends on the type of hardwood – oak, maple, bamboo and others will all have different costs associated. On the other hand, laminate ranges from around $1 to $3 per square foot.

Overall Thoughts

If you’re on a budget, there’s nothing wrong with laminate flooring. It can give you the same look as traditional hardwoods but for a fraction of the price. However, if you want to invest in your home, nothing beats hardwood floors. The timeless flooring option can last lifetimes if maintained properly and instantly adds value and style to your home. For more tips on choosing hardwood flooring options, check out this blog post.

When you think of a timeless home, chances are the image in your head will have hardwood floors. Hardwoods have long been favored for their appearance and ability to stand the test of time. Like most of us, sometimes we take for granted aspects of home design that seem to have been around forever. But it wasn’t until the 17th century that hardwood flooring started to gain popularity. If you’ve ever wondered how and why hardwood flooring came to be, let us walk you through the history of hardwood flooring.

The Early Years

The history of hardwood flooring dates back to the early 1600’s French Baroque area. At the time, only wealthy people and French nobility would have adapted this style due to cost and timeliness of the installation. Hardwood flooring was made by hand, where each plank would be scraped, sanded and polished. Examples of this type of early flooring can be seen at Versailles in the traditional Parquet style that is still popular today.

Image courtesy of unsplash.com

Hardwood Flooring in America

Most of the hardwood flooring we imagine today – polished and uniform – weren’t common until the 19th century. In fact, most flooring in early colonial America was made from wide, thick planks that were likely cut from nearby forests with whatever material they could find. Unlike today where you can choose from flooring like bamboo, hickory, oak and more, these people were working with what was right outside their door.

The process for cutting timber into lumber was also extremely lengthy and difficult. A pit saw was most commonly used to do the cutting and required at least two men to get the job done. Because the process was so manual and strenuous, the planks of wood were often different widths and sizes, resulting in uneven flooring or flooring with gaps in it. It was common to lose smaller items like marbles under the gaps in the floors.

As time went on, a new method for laying flooring was created that allowed for a much more uniform look. The long edge of a plank of wood was planed with an “L” profile, allowing it to lock in with adjacent boards. So, when wood inevitability changed shape and size due to weather, gaps could be covered up by the end of the other, adjacent board.

Early Hardwood Flooring Design Trends

Like so many aspects of design, popular hardwood flooring styles have changed drastically over the years. In the 18th century, many people began to paint their flooring as they would their walls and ceilings (staining and varnish wouldn’t become popular until the late 19th century). These decoratively painted wood floors ranged from monochrome to fanciful designs such as diamond or checkerboard patterns, making for a memorable timestamp in the history of hardwood flooring. Because of the low quality of the wood in most of the homes during this time, painting was a relatively easy and inexpensive way to upgrade the look of your home. If you were part of the wealthy elite, however, you might have been able to invest in parquet flooring, similar to the Versailles style mentioned earlier.

This historic faux marble treatment is quite formal.
Photo: Geoffrey Gross, courtesy of Rizzoli

Colors in a hand-painted floor were cued by the original jadeite-green glass wall tiles.
Photo: Leslie Tomlin

For a compass rose, paint reproduces the look of inlaid wood species.
Photo: Sandy Agrafiotis

The Industrial Revolution

Along with many other inventions, the Industrial Revolution also brought a more efficient and expedited process to the hardwood flooring world. With new, steam-driven machinery, the production time of flooring decreased significantly. Additionally, flooring became much more uniform and began to look like the polished flooring we think of thinking of today.

Around this time, the most popular way to install flooring was known as the “Tongue and Groove” flooring method. Tongue and groove flooring fits together like a puzzle piece, where one part of the flooring is fitted with a protruding “tongue” that fits into a concave “groove.” The most common type of hardwood around this time was narrow, oak floors – much different from the types of flooring we saw in earlier years.

Photo: Superior Flooring

Hardwood Flooring Today
Besides a decline in popularity around World War II when wall to wall carpeting was more common, hardwood flooring has remained a classic and favorite type of flooring for most homeowners. After many different phases of hardwood flooring, the polished hardwood flooring we know today finally appeared in the late 19th century.

Today, hardwood flooring goes through a much more detailed manufacturing process than in the past, creating an appealing and durable product. Whereas hardwood flooring might have only been in certain rooms of the house in the past, today, it’s much more common to see hardwood floors through the entirety of homes. Whether you’re renovating a home and trying to find your style or simply thinking about hardwoods in general, there’s a myriad of options to choose from. If you’re on the fence, remember that hardwood flooring has stood the test of time for centuries and we don’t anticipate it going away any time soon.

When you come to think of modern interiors you instantly think of simple, minimalistic, and colder colours. The shift and innovation in interior design have thrown this rule book out the window meaning when you come to update your home nothing is off-limits. This blog will teach you everything you need to know about creating modern interiors in your home from the colour of your walls all the way down to the perfect style of floor. Come take a closer look…

 

Choose your colour scheme

Light and fresh colours are often linked with modern and contemporary homes. Using neutral colours will instantly make your room look bigger as well as creating a clean and airy environment. The potential that comes with painting your walls neutral is endless, it gives you the opportunity to use a splash of colour in your accent pieces and accessories.

Alternatively using a darker colour for your walls often grounds and defines a contemporary style whilst keeping your home looking sleek and elegant. The use of bold darker colours as an accent wall has increased over the years with many people opting for a dark navy or a moss green and basing their home accessories around these colours creating a well-rounded piece of interior design.

Furnish to perfection

The essence of a room is solely based around the furniture, these are the final pieces that bring the whole room together. When choosing your furniture, look at what makes a statement without feeling too cluttered. Stick to minimalistic pieces that say a lot without showing too much. Stick to smooth, clean shapes, less is more!

Fabulous floors

Now to the important part. Choosing the right flooring can speak volumes when it comes to wowing your guests. The options are endless, so you have to make sure you pick the best-suited flooring for your home. In a contemporary and modern home, solid wood or luxury vinyl tiles are the best options due to their authentic, timeless appearance.

A popular choice of flooring which has shifted from older manor houses to the modern present-day home is parquet. Originating in Europe the parquet pattern has become one of the most sought-after floor designs by interior designers, this is due to the elegance and class it exudes.

Featured products

Painswick Swift Oak (HE4043) 

Painswick Garden Oak (PAR218) 

Studley Frozen Oak (EO4032)

Have Your Say

What flooring do you have in your house? Share your thoughts down below!

Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and discussions. We’re always finding new ways to improve our stock, so keep up to date!

The post Creating modern interiors in your home appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

This post appeared first on https://www.luxuryflooringandfurnishings.co.uk

We’ve given you wood effect, we’ve given you tile effect, and we’ve even given you Herringbone. But the evolution continues with EvoCore Nature.

 

EvoCore Nature is our new line from our ever evolving EvoCore Range. All of the traditional benefits of EvoCore, whilst boasting a stunning real wood veneer, this magnificent flooring allows you to introduce an organic charm to any home.

 

Whatever your lifestyle, aesthetic, or practical needs, EvoCore Nature has an option for you. It’s arguably one of the most versatile yet stunning floorings on the market, if we do say so ourselves – bringing a lavish touch of nature to any space in your home.

 

What is EvoCore Nature?

 

EvoCore Nature is the height of practicality and luxury, whilst accommodating any lifestyle. Got kids, pets, a busy household? Not to worry! EvoCore Nature can withstand these pressures thanks to being highly durable, waterproof, pet-friendly and easy to maintain, and all of this whilst looking exquisite.

 

There’s no need to compromise when it comes to EvoCore Nature you can have it all, high risk areas, high traffic areas, EvoCore Nature has got you covered.

 

The Specification

 

One thing that separates EvoCore Nature from other flooring types is the quality of the product. A thicker board, a stylish enhanced bevel, and a real wood veneer are what make this flooring the premium quality that it is. 

 

Thickness:	8mm	Wear Layer:	1.2mm
Pack Coverage:	1.8m²	Board Length:	400 – 1220mm
Board Width:	125mm	Species:	Oak

 

 

Benefits of EvoCore Nature

 

With the successes of our current ranges, thanks to its amazing host of benefits, we’ve evolved even further delivering even more benefits! Let’s take a look at these benefits: 

 

• Built-in cork underlay backing
• Pet Friendly 
• Child Friendly
• No Expansion / Contraction
• No acclimatise
• Click Lock System
• Hides Subfloor Imperfections
• Noise Reduction
• No Glue Needed
• Anti-Slip
• Eco Friendly
• Waterproof
• 100% Recyclable
• Easy to Maintain
• Scratch Resistant
• Fantastic Warranties
• Home Wide Suitability
• Stain Guard
• Durable & Hardwearing
• Real Wood Top Layer

 

Long list, we know! All of these benefits coupled with a beautiful appearance are what makes EvoCore Nature a cut above the rest.

 

EvoCore Nature Underlay 

 

One of the great features of EvoCore Nature is its built-in cork underlay. Not only does this have amazing practical benefits such as adding stability to your flooring, noise reduction and increasing the longevity of your flooring, but it also means you will benefit financially. You’ll save money in installation costs, and having to purchase a separate underlay.

 

Installation of EvoCore Nature

 

Now you’ve heard us say that EvoCore Nature is easy to install, but just how easy is it and how do you do it? 

 

If you’re wanting to fit your EvoCore Nature flooring yourself, then you can follow our step-by-step guide below!

 

Installing EvoCore Nature Flooring is similar to installing click LVT or tongue and groove and click wood flooring, due to its similar click-lock system. However, the installation of EvoCore Nature is a quicker and easier process thanks to the built-in cork underlay. 

 

EvoCore Flooring is installed using the floating floor installation method, as no glue or adhesive is needed to secure your flooring. You can also lay it over existing floor tiles, making for a much quicker fitting process:

1. Measure your room to know how much flooring you will need to purchase.
2. Choose your favourite EvoCore Nature flooring 
3. Ensure your subfloor or existing floor is clean and clear of debris.
4. Lay your waterproof flooring over the subfloor. No underlay is needed because EvoCore Nature Flooring has cork underlay pre-installed on the underside of each plank. You can lay your flooring lengthways or widthways, depending on what style you are looking for.
5. Use the click-lock feature on each plank to attach them to one another, which creates a tight seal between each plank.
6. Cut the planks when necessary using a fine tooth saw or tile cutter to fit in the area of your room. As well as this, be sure to cut planks that need to work around set features of your room, such as a shower, toilet, cupboards, or sinks and so on.
7. Once your flooring has been installed, add skirting to the perimeter of your room if necessary. We offer a wide range of matching EvoCore accessories such as skirting.

 

Yes, it’s as easy as that! 

 

Shop the Range

 

EvoCore Nature has an array of bold organic textures and tones throughout its range, ensuring there is a colour and style for all aesthetics. Below are some of the amazing styles you have to choose from in this range.

 

Glacier Oak	Natural Oak	Forest Oak
More Info	More Info	More Info
Add Sample to Cart	Add Sample to Cart	Add Sample to Cart

 

If you want anymore information on our incredible EvoCore Nature, get in touch with one of our experts who will be happy to help. 

The post EvoCore Nature – The Evolution Continues appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

The new year is finally upon us and it’s time to look ahead to the future with optimism. A new year brings new ideas, challenges, and trends – especially when it comes to interior design! Here at Luxury Flooring, we like to stay ahead of the curve so we’ve examined the trends that we will see in 2021. Here’s what you should look out for in this new and exciting year.

 

Race to victory with Chevron

 

Sleek, elegant, sophisticated – this is what a Chevron floor will bring! The precise geometric shape of a Chevron floor is great for smaller rooms, as its eye-catching design elongates the room to make it appear larger than it actually is. Chevron first rose to prominence in the 16^th century thanks to the luxurious and expensive feel it brought to any home and it has made a huge comeback recently. Available in a variety of shades and finishes, a Chevron parquet is sure to wow your guests.

 

Live like royalty with Versailles

 

Named after the prestigious French palace, Versailles parquet flooring is more popular than ever! An incredibly unique type of parquet, a Versailles floor is formed of prearranged planks in a square shape, just like a tile. Due to its regal, French origins, Versailles parquet has always been associated with grand and stately homes and now you can create this effect in your own home too! Check out our new La Roche Versailles collection now!

 

Head in the right direction with Herringbone

 

Renowned for its attractive ‘zig-zag’ appearance, Herringbone has been at the top of the flooring charts for the last few years. Creating a feeling of vintage luxury, Herringbone has seen its increase in popularity due to the elegance it brings to any room of your home. Whether you are looking for a dark shade or more of a lighter feel, we have the Herringbone parquet for you.

 

Have Your Say

What do you prefer in home décor: minimalism or something with more character? Let us know in the comments below!

Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and discussions. We’re always finding new ways to improve our stock, so keep up to date!

Find the floors above on our website: our incredible Chamonix Oatmeal Oak, our regal La Roche Chateau Oak and our beautiful Painswick Garden Oak.

The post Trends to look out for in 2021 appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

This post appeared first on https://www.luxuryflooringandfurnishings.co.uk

Every home is different, but most will agree that any type of flooring plays a huge role in the look and function of a house. While you may not pay much attention to it at first, you definitely notice when the flooring is bad. You might not think twice about bamboo hardwood flooring or oak hardwood flooring, but you’d definitely notice shag carpeting circa the 1980s or laminate and vinyl flooring like you had in college.

If you’re considering hardwood floors and wondering whether they’ll be a good investment for your home, we’ve outlined the research and included a few best practices to make sure you’re making the best decision for you and your family.

Are Hardwood Floors Worth the Money?

Because your return on investment depends so much upon the size of your home, your location and the type of flooring you choose, there isn’t a ton of data on the correlation between home value and flooring. In fact, it’s almost impossible to calculate an exact number. However, most research finds that overall, hardwood flooring will increase your home value. While in some places, hardwoods are still considered a “nice to have” for prospective buyers, in a lot of places, hardwood floors have become essential.

Realtor.com reports that the average ROI for installing hardwood floors can range anywhere from 70-80%, depending on location and flooring layout. Money.com also reports that hardwood floors can increase your home value by 3-5%.

Again, while these numbers may vary from house to house, it’s safe to say that hardwood floors will never decrease the value of your home, while carpeting could.

Why Are Hardwoods So Great, Anyway?

We know that hardwood flooring will increase the value of your home, but what if you’re not looking to sell your home any time soon? One of the benefits of hardwoods and what makes them so appealing to buyers goes far beyond aesthetics.

Yes, in our opinion hardwood floors are timeless and never go out of style. But perhaps the best feature of hardwoods is their durability. Hardwood floors are built to stand the test of time and that is why they remain the king of flooring. If you’re curious about the range of durability in hardwoods, check out our guide here.

Not only are hardwoods durable, but they’re also much easier to clean than carpets. If you have toddlers or pets, you know just how hard removing a stain from carpeting can be.

Final Thoughts

While hardwood flooring costs may be more upfront, it’s safe to say that the overall investment of hardwood flooring is worth it. Whether you’re hoping to sell your home down the line and know that buyers are expecting hardwood floors or looking to put roots down in your home and know hardwoods are more functional, hardwood floors beat the rest every time.

If you’re curious to learn more about the different types of hardwood floorings available, check out our post on the top flooring trends of 2020 or the main differences between solid and engineered hardwood.

Hardwood floors are an interior design trend that has stood the test of time. Hardwood flooring dates back to the early 1600s and since then, has remained buyers’ preferred flooring when choosing a home. From its ability to increase your home value and stand up against the wear and tear of life, hardwood flooring has remained a classic.

Even so, trends within the hardwood flooring world have shifted over the years. As we approach a new year, we’re exploring what the biggest trends of 2020 were, what’s going out of style, and what we expect to stay.

Light Hardwood Flooring Trend

For many years, light flooring was seen as cheap and outdated. Not so in 2020, where we saw many homeowners embracing the brighter, airy nature of these lighter hardwood floors. Many describe these lighter tones as opening up their home more and even making many spaces feel larger.

First, we see the blond floor trend that gives homes a more contemporary feel. Most blond floors are made from bamboo, ash, maple, white oak and even red oak. While you may associate a sleeker look with a darker, matte wood, blonde floors prove that you can get that modern look from lighter hardwood as well.

Other trends in the lighter hardwood category were whitewashed and honey-wood floors. Whitewashed hardwood reminds us of a beachy, Southern California home while honey-colored floors feel cozier. While whitewashed wood shows more wear and tear, honey-finished floors are a timeless classic that’s going to be around for many years to come.
Lastly, one of the most popular light-washed hardwood flooring trends of 2020 was Scandinavian style floors. If you scoured Pinterest or Instagram this past year, you probably encountered these types of floors. Scandinavian floors generally have a wider plank and white finish, while still maintaining a natural feel. In general, Scandinavian interior design style is minimalist with natural elements mixed in – think whitewashed walls or brick. While not for everyone, it definitely had its moment this year.

Textured Flooring

In 2020, we saw textured flooring jump into the mix. Textured flooring is best described as when no two planks look the same. The most common textured flooring trends are hand scraped, wire brushed and distressed wood, which are often mistaken for one another.

Hand-scraped hardwood features long defined scrapes in the finish and can often make the wood look scuffed (in a good way). Handscraped hardwood allows for a lot of variation between the different planks and give floors more of a rustic and handcrafted look.
On the other hand, wire brushed hardwood looks a bit more subtle with smaller, intentional scratches. This can often result in the wood looking more distressed but still more uniform than others.

Lastly, distressed hardwood is usually mistaken for hand scraped hardwood. Both look weathered, but distressed hardwood generally more so. Think knots, scrapes and even burns. If you’re looking for a more aged and antique look, distressed hardwood is the way to go. Be careful when choosing distressed hardwood, however, because oftentimes this type of wood is done by a machine and ends up looking unnatural. The best way to get distressed hardwood is, you guessed it, let it happen naturally. If you don’t have the time, make sure you pick a flooring company that knows their stuff.

Herringbone and Other Pattern Trends

Not only is choosing the right type of hardwood important for your home but choosing the correct pattern is also a huge factor. 2020 saw an increase in herringbone patterns across many new builds and renovations. Homeowners were likely inspired by the influx of herringbone floors popping up over social media, which is why the trend was popular among younger people. Herringbone patterns tend to be pretty subjective, and we don’t expect the trend to last forever.

A few other popular patterns that popped up in 2020 included diagonal floors and mixed width flooring, both of which we don’t anticipate lasting long. Homeowners will likely be pretty divided on these trends, making the resale value questionable.

However, the last trend we can get behind is wide-planked hardwood flooring. Instead of traditional, thinner hardwood floor planks, homeowners really gravitated to wide-planked hardwood flooring in 2020. This trend tends to make the room look larger. Not only is this trend popular now, but we anticipate it’ll be popular for many years to come. These days, thin planks are often seen as outdated.

Final Thoughts

Remember, all of these trends are subjective. If you see a hardwood floor you really love, we encourage you to follow your gut! At the end of the day, you’re the one who will be living on the floors for years. As long as the hardwoods come from a reputable hardwood distributor (like us!) and you love them, then more power to you.