Bubinga (African Rosewood)

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Every interior theme has its own unique charm and it goes without saying that a contemporary style interior is at the height of fashion at the moment, with the style changing all the time to keep up with the demands of the modern age. At the moment, it’s all about the clean spaces and minimalist décor, so let’s have a look at some of the ways you can achieve this look in your own home.

Flooring

Of course, we’re always going to start with flooring. It can make or break a room and is usually the first thing that you notice when you walk into a room as well as being disruptive and expensive to change, so if you’re having a complete renovation then it’s a good place to start! We’d stay away from too much pattern, such as patterned carpets – remember you’re trying to make a clean fresh-looking space. Instead go for wood, laminate or Luxury Vinyl Tiles which are more associated with modern homes due to their smooth clean finishes. Although wood flooring is often thought of as old fashioned, its popularity has come back and many homeowners are opting for it. It has a timeless elegance that goes with pretty much all interior themes. Coming in many finishes, wood types and colours – with a contemporary look in mind, we’d go for one that has calmed knots and grains to really enhance a clean-cut and neutral look.

If you’re on a stricter budget however, laminate and LVT come in very convincing imitations of natural products that often it’s hard to tell them apart from the real thing!

Colour Theme

Neutrals such as whites, magnolias and creams are always a good bet, but can be considered as a bit of a ‘cop out’! so don’t feel like you’re restricted to something simple, you can certainly make a statement with a feature wall or bold colours – just don’t overdo it, it’s all about balance!

Lighting

Metallic light fixtures fit in perfectly with a contemporary interior – you’re almost trying to get an industrial feel. Remember as well, lighting isn’t just about white light, experiment with different colours such as blues and greens – it doesn’t need to be the same colour throughout either, with many homeowners opting for something different in each of their rooms. Spotlights are cropping up more and more – particularly lighting up a feature like a painting or ornament.

If you’re really wanting to embrace this theme, then matte black or shiny silver lamps boast a modern slick look.

Other Ideas

The most important thing to remember when trying to get a modern interior is that less is more, avoid clutter where possible in favour of clear surfaces and walls! Open space is just as important as the objects you might put in them. If you are a fan of pictures and ornaments then that’s fine – just avoid lots of little pieces, fewer larger objects work much better.

Don’t think that your interior needs to look uninviting and cold to really get this look – we all need our interior comforts! Place a fluffy or wool rug over your wood floors, throws over your sofas, install a wood burner. Plants never go amiss either, adding a touch of the natural world into your home.

We hope some of these ideas have gotten your contemporary ideas going. The best way to get a real feel is look at pictures, ask your friends how they got their interior beautifully modern, there’s a whole world of ideas out there!

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There’s a lot of factors to consider when buying engineered wood. Engineered wood flooring combines multiple layers of timber with a solid wood veneer. Designed to allow for wood expansion, engineered wood is compatible with underfloor heating systems and boasts a high moisture tolerance level. Thanks to the solid wood veneer, engineered wood flooring displays all the stunning looks of solid wood at a fraction of the cost. Available in an array of wood species, colours and finishes – there’s a range to compliment every home and budget!

Together with our wood flooring experts, we’ve created this handy guide to buying engineered wood flooring to make sure you’re well equipped when it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home.

Room Suitability 

In order to protect the longevity of your flooring you must first ensure it’s suitable for the room where you intend on installing. Solid wood for example, is not compatible with areas prone to moisture or underfloor heating systems. If you’re at all unsure, check with the manufacturer before laying. 

Engineered wood flooring is a very versatile range; the composition of the wood means it copes well in high risk areas such as kitchens, as well as high traffic areas such as hallways. Our handy room suitability chart above gives you a quick glance at where we recommend fitting, where to take caution and where to avoid.

Living Area – Living Room

As a high-end flooring range, engineered wood flooring instantly sets the ambiance of a room. Displaying all the character and charm of solid wood through its authentic wood knots and grains, the solid veneer makes it extremely difficult to tell apart – even for the expert eye!

Guaranteed to leave a lasting impression, buying engineered wood flooring is perfect for transforming living room/lounge areas where you are most likely to entertain your guests and where comfort and style are key. 

Living Area – Dining Room

Add a touch of class to your dining room without the stress of spillages. As a low maintenance flooring range, it copes extremely well with minor food spills. Simply wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth. 

Please note – be sure to thoroughly ring out the damp cloth before use. 

Living Area – Bedroom 

As one of the most private rooms in your home, it’s also one where you can be most expressive with your choice of styling. When buying engineered wood flooring, there’s a huge range of plank widths and designs to compliment your chosen look.

Darker flooring designs are great for contrasting with light décor and creating a real statement piece. Whereas authentic flooring ranges are perfect for reflecting light and brightening darker colour schemes. Personal preference will help you decide which range is best for you. 

Hallway, Landing & Stairs

Robust to high traffic, engineered wood flooring is perfect for halls, landings and stairs. The solid veneer can be sanded and re-finished to restore any signs of wear – protecting the longevity of your flooring. 

Engineered Oak is particularly popular in these areas due to the quality and hardness of the timber. 

Conservatory 

The multiple layers which form engineered wood provide extra resilience to varying temperature, humidity and moisture. Conservatories vary greatly in terms of temperature, so ensure you’ve left a wide enough expansion gap and acclimatise the wood floor as long as possible before fitting.

Kitchen 

We advise you to take caution when installing engineered wood in a kitchen due to the risk of high moisture content. Whilst engineered wood will outperform any other wood flooring range thanks its ability to expand and contract, all spillages must be tended to as quickly as possible.

Bathroom 

Due to excessive moisture content, we advise against installing or buying engineered wood for a bathroom. Instead we’d advise to go for a Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) range. As a non-porous flooring solution, it is ideal for areas that are susceptible to high levels of moisture. 

Underfloor Heating

Providing the ultimate comfort underfoot, engineered wood is compatible with underfloor heating systems. When installing, we suggest to increase the temperature in 1°C increments. This allows the flooring to adjust slowly to the excess heat. It should also never exceed 27°C.

It is advised that the solid wood veneer should be no thicker than 5mm and the entire board is less than 18mm. This is to let the heat pass through effectively and enable the heat to rise. 

Composition of Engineered Wood 

The construction of engineered wood is what sets it apart from other flooring types. It consists of either HDF or plywood core layers, bound together with extreme pressure and specialist adhesive. This is what creates the advanced stability levels engineered wood flooring is renowned for. Enabling the flooring to expand generates an impressive tolerance to moisture, humidity and temperature fluctuation. 

A solid wood veneer then covers the base, giving engineered wood the truly authentic look and feel of real wood whilst also enhancing its durability. This top layer can vary in thickness – typically anywhere between two and six millimetres. The ability to sand and refinish this layer means your engineered wood flooring will stay looking perfect for years to come. 

Environmentally Friendly

All of our engineered wood flooring ranges are sustainably sourced from carefully selected forests. This helps preserve delicate ecosystems and ensures that native cultures and economies are respected.

Affordability

As a cheaper alternative to solid wood and carrying a higher price tag than its laminate counterpart, the quality of engineered wood along with the impressive lifespan justifies its worth. Known to add value to your property, buying engineered wood is more of an investment for your home than an impulse purchase. 

Engineered Wood Flooring Species

Oak Wood Flooring

Highly sought after, oak wood flooring not only looks amazing but boasts impressive durability levels too. As one of the most expensive wood species on the market, engineered wood flooring offers an affordable alternative. The ability to stain oak makes this wood species very versatile, ranging from light to dark colour hues. Enjoy all the beautiful aesthetics solid oak offers with a huge range of shades and styles to suit your home.

Walnut Wood Flooring

Walnut wood flooring is instantly recognisable thanks to its beautiful, authentic, brown tones. Derived from its natural colouring, the wood is unstained and ranges from stunning light brown to striking dark chocolate tones. The grain is also unique thanks to its prominent wave or curled design. 

As one of the finest woods in the world, the density along with preserving the natural colouring is what sets walnut apart from the rest. As a cost effective range to solid walnut, engineered walnut wood flooring is much easier to install and offers greater stability. 

Beech or Maple Wood Flooring

Organically formed in light colour tones, both beech and maple wood with suit any colour scheme whilst reflecting natural light around your home. Featuring all the authentic wood knots and grains you expect from solid wood, the engineered versions not only look amazing but are built to last. 

Ash Wood Flooring

Ash wood flooring is the perfect blank canvas to do with as you please. Ideal for use with finishing oils and stains; the authentic features of this quality range will shine through whilst also adding your own unique stamp. Particularly popular in the parquet design, grab yourself a bargain with ash engineered wood alternatives. 

Acacia Wood Flooring

Renowned for natural red colour tones, acacia is great for adding warmth and comfort to your home. As a truly authentic flooring range, the natural shades vary from deep orange tones to dark red hues. Available in solid and engineered wood, again the engineered version is your cost effective alternative. 

Engineered Wood Flooring Finishes

Lacquered 

Lacquer provides a subtle glossy finish, giving an element of luxury to your engineered wood flooring. Our lacquered woods are coated with several layers of industry leading, Treffert lacquer to provide a subtle sheen which offers additional protection from everyday wear and tear. It also performs well against the effects of moisture, with the lacquer acting as shield to seal your wood. 

Whilst this does not make your wood waterproof, it is great for high risk areas such as kitchens where those little spillages may occur. For extra peace of mind, our super matt lacquered finish not only protects but the additional layers harden your wood too. 

Oiled 

Oiled engineered wood flooring portrays a classic natural matt finish. Our oiled ranges are primarily treated with specialist Osmo Oil. The wood is coated in the oil which soaks through, nourishing it and adding an extra layer of protection. Oil will need to be reapplied more often than lacquer, to maintain its beautiful matt look. 

Unfinished 

Unfinished engineered wood is exactly that – unfinished. The wood has been treated and is ready for you to add your own finish and personalise as you wish. 

Oil tints are great to get creative and enhance the natural grains in the wood with decorative colour tones. If you’re looking for more of a natural finish, then clear satin or clear gloss is also available. 

In addition to the standard finishes, we also offer an additional combination of the below:

Brushed and Lacquered

Brushed and lacquered finish consists of removing the softer grains of the wood using a wire brush but this time coating the wood with lacquer. With only the toughest grains and knots visible, this finish is full of character with a slightly smooth but textured surface which can be felt underfoot. 

Brushed and Oiled

Alike to brushed and lacquered, brushed and oiled wood flooring consists of removing the softer grains of the wood using a wire brush and then coating the wood with oil leaving a beautiful highly textured surface with a rustic look. By removing the softer grains it also makes the wood stronger and more hardwearing.

Smoked/ Fumed

To achieve the smoked/fumed look, the wood is placed in an industrial kiln and exposed to fumes over a period of around 20 days. During this process, the wood endures heavy shrinkage making it denser and much more hard wearing. As the wood reacts to the ammonia in the fumes, it develops darker tannins through the wood and lifts them to the surface to create more prominent features. 

Whitewashed

These woods have been coated with a semi opaque white stain. This stylish finish adds a lightness to the wood and accentuates the natural grain. 

Hand Carved

Hand carved wood has a slightly bumpy, distressed texture to it. Achieved manually by running a curved tool down the plank, making each plank individual and unique.  This finish is particularly popular among those who are looking for an aged/worn looking floor.

Engineered Wood Flooring Fitting Methods

Glue down

To fit both solid and engineered wood using this method, glue the base of the board to the floor boards or a concrete floor (coated in a damp proof membrane), and between each of the boards.

Floating Installation 

Lay engineered wood as a floating floor on top of underlay, gluing only between the joints. For a concrete subfloor your underlay will need to have an inbuilt damp proof membrane.

Secret Nailing

Inserting nails at a 45° angle into the tongue of the engineered wood boards. Also inserted into the floorboards beneath, the nails firmly secure the floor in place.

If you need any further help or assistance in buying engineered wood, please do not hesitate to contact one of our engineered wood flooring experts on: 03301 028 444.

The post Buying Engineered Wood – The Complete Guide appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

With all the wonders and complications of modern technology and life, many of us find ourselves lusting after something from a bygone era. Vintage style isn’t just restricted to clothing fashion, many of us are fans of it in our homes as well. There’s a fine line between your interior pulling off that fab vintage look to it looking worn out and outdated- it’s all about balance! You want to make a fashion statement, but don’t want your home to end up looking like your grandma’s house!

It’s not just furniture that comes into play when trying to achieve this look, flooring is an important factor too. So, let’s have a look at how you can get this fantastic theme in your own home…

Flooring

Of course, we’d always recommend thinking about flooring first no matter what interior route you’re going down.  It’s something that’s disruptive, expensive and you’re not likely to change too often, so it’s important to get it right first time! It can also make or break a room, so play close attention…

Typically, wood flooring is associated with older style interiors. Offering a beautiful, timeless and authentic appearance, there’s no better option. But with there being so many different wood types, colours and finishes, what exactly is the best one to go for with vintage in mind? We’d recommend a wood with plenty of character, a rustic distressed wood with lots of grains and knots flowing charmingly throughout. A whitewashed wood would really show off the shabby chic look, as well as complementing pretty much any furniture and wall colour you decide to go for. A parquet style would work well too, offering real luxury and charisma to your space. Not only do these beautiful choices look fabulously vintage, but also are very on trend at the moment!

However, not all of us can afford to lay real wood in our home – it’s pricy for a reason! If you’re aren’t in the mood to be splashing the cash, then engineered wood offers the same gorgeous appearance at a cheaper price and even comes with added benefits such as under-floor heating. As well, laminate and Luxury Vinyl Tiles offer very convincing replicas of real wood but at a cheaper price and easier maintenance.

Furniture

Antique furniture is the foundation of any vintage style home. However, you don’t want stuff that’s going to make your home resemble an antique store. Distressed white wood looks great for furniture, people typically associate vintage with classical dark wood – but this isn’t always the case! Don’t get us wrong, we love darker wood, but make sure you mix it up and throw different shades in there to keep things bright and interesting

Like anything, you have to be careful with quality, although antiques have their own unique charm, it’s true that they can be known to fall to bits if you get the wrong one! There are ways you can check you’re getting something that’s good quality. Weight is a good place to start, usually the heavier it is the better quality – that it’s made from natural materials instead of cheaper substitutes. Next, check the joints and that they’re all attached properly and no loose screws. Rust and discolouration – although a bit of colour fading in the sunlight can actually add to the vintage look, too much can certainly take away from your gorgeous interior.

An important rule to follow – don’t think the more antiques the better. Although it’s true they add to the vintage character, it is possible to overdo it and you can get new furniture that has the vintage look too. When mixing and matching modern and traditional elements, consistency is key. Pick a theme and stick to it – for example a pale green for the electronic appliances in the kitchen, paired with matching stools and tea towels – it’ll really make your room pop!

Patterns vs plain

When we think of vintage style, it’s hard to say whether patterns or plain is preferred. The truth it, there is no right answer. Whether you’re a fan of plenty of patterns or prefer something a little cleaner, vintage interior accommodates both of these tastes! You don’t have to pick one or the other either – both together certainly work. However, a room completely plain without pattern can look a bit modern, and equally an interior with too much pattern can look like a granny’s house. Again, balance is key – if you have patterned furniture then go for plain walls and vice versa.

 Colours

In terms of colours, we’d opt for pastels. They offer a calm and relaxing premise to your space, as well as that desirable shabby chic look! Pastel walls and furnishings work well – try go for something that offers a bit of a statement rather than the typical magnolia! Statement walls work a treat as well, but don’t overdo it – one wall in each room will work perfectly.

The post How to get that vintage look with flooring appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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At Discount Flooring Depot, we are proud to offer our customers a wide variety of luxury vinyl floor tiles and laminate flooring options to suit every property and application. With so much choice available, it can be hard to determine which flooring may be best for you. So, we have put together a handy guide to highlight the respective differences and benefits of the two flooring types. All you need to do is sit back, relax and read through all of our advice on tile effect laminate flooring and luxury vinyl floor tiles.

What is Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring?

An innovation in the flooring industry, luxury vinyl tiles are perfect for use within the home with their stylish and sleek appearance. It is an easy to clean flooring that many prefer for use within the kitchen and bathroom, although, where you lay it is really up to you. Different to standard vinyl, luxury vinyl arrives in individual pieces known as ‘planks’, whereas standard vinyl comes in a sheet that is cut and measured to fit your required room. Worried about installation? Although vinyl tiles may seem more complicated to install, we have a range of vinyl click flooring that is easy to fit. With a simple click, tiles are locked in place together.

Both standard and luxury vinyl are composed of four layers. From bottom to top, they are the backing layer, design layer, clear layer and finally, the protective wear layer. The difference between the two, in this instance, is that luxury vinyl floor tiles have much thicker layers that make it a more durable and hard-wearing flooring option.

Many choose luxury vinyl tile flooring as it is an easy-to-install, durable flooring option that offers both style and practicality for every home. Available in a variety of styles, including imitation stone, tile and wood effect, there is luxury vinyl to suit every home and decor.

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring has been much-loved by
property owners for many years, and it’s not hard to see why with its sleek
appearance and many other attractive qualities. Similar to vinyl, laminate
flooring is made up of different layers that ensure it is a durable and
hard-wearing floor that will stand the test of time.

Perfect for use within living
rooms with a lot of furniture on the ground, laminate flooring is
scratch-resistant. Also, making it a good choice for children’s playrooms,
where bulky plastic is endlessly scraped across the floor.

A much cheaper substitute for real wood flooring, laminate is a sleek option that suits any area of the home. Easy to install with a simple ‘click’ system, it is not hard to see why it is such a popular choice for many home ‘DIYers’.

If you’re tired of endlessly
cleaning your floors, laminate flooring is an easy-clean surface, which makes
it ideal for use within the kitchen. Say goodbye to spaghetti stains and muddy
footprints, with a simple wipe clean, laminate flooring looks sparkling, once
again.

Plus, laminate is available in a wide variety of styles and colours, including the popular tile effect. Whether you’re looking for a refresh to your living room or bedroom, laminate flooring will transform any space.

Prices

When investing in new flooring
for your property, the cost is often a big deciding factor in your choice.
Whilst it is important to consider all of the advantages and disadvantages on
which material may be best for you, taking into account style and practicality.
We understand that cost can certainly serve as the deciding factor.

For laminate flooring, it is a much cheaper alternative to solid wood, whilst still providing the same style and effect for your home. At Discount Flooring Depot, we offer stylish laminate flooring at low prices per square meter. In comparison to laminate, luxury vinyl tiles are available at a slightly higher price, but they are still a relatively cost-effective flooring option. Although it is more expensive than standard vinyl, this reflects the differences between the two and the higher quality of the product that luxury vinyl floor tiles provide.

Keeping Warm

Warmer than standard vinyl due
to the thicker construction, luxury vinyl tiles will be somewhat warmer
underfoot. Whilst it is not an insulating material, the warmth it provides can
be improved with a padded underlayment, but it should be noted that this would
increase the overall cost of the flooring.

Like vinyl, laminate is a
neutral material in terms of transmitting heat. With proper underlay, laminate
can be warmer on the feet, but otherwise, it is not best-known for any
heat-retaining qualities.

Waterproof

If a waterproof flooring is
important to you, then our advice on luxury vinyl and laminate may help in your
decision between the two.

Luxury vinyl tiles are fully
waterproof, making them a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Whereas,
laminate flooring is only water-resistant.

For this reason, we do advise that laminate flooring is not used within the bathroom, however, it is suitable for kitchens where spillages may be light.

Durability and Life

Flooring is an investment, and
you will want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your money. As
reflected in the price differences, luxury vinyl tiles are a more durable
flooring choice built to last up to 20 years. This is assuming that proper care
is taken with the flooring.

Similarly, laminate is still a
highly durable flooring, although it does have a slightly shorter life span of
15 years.

Both are built to withstand the frequent foot traffic in the home and in some cases commercial properties. No matter which you opt for, we do advise that good care is taken to ensure that you get the most benefit and life out of your new flooring.

Making a Decision

After reading through our
comprehensive guide to luxury vinyl floor tiles and laminate flooring, we hope
we have given you all the important information you need to make your decision!
Both flooring options offer style, practically and are low-cost, so you are
sure to be happy with either choice you make.

Whichever flooring you choose,
explore our full luxury vinyl and laminate flooring collections today and be
inspired by the many styles, shades and colours available.

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It’s no secret that we love wood flooring. As our speciality, we can safely say it’s a great option for your home and will create a whole new bespoke look to your space. It’s easy to see why wood flooring is so popular with home owners at the moment when you see the effects it can have on a room. So, let’s dive into its wonders…

Beauuutiful

You can’t deny that wood flooring is a classic and stunning choice. It is mostly chosen to create a luxurious and affluent appearance, we can guarantee that your guests will be very impressed by your beautiful new floors! With all the flashy technology of the modern age, many of us lust after something from a bygone era – wood is a traditional choice and has been used on floors for hundreds of years. It’s so desirable that materials such as laminate and vinyl replicate its gorgeous authentic surface.

Plenty of option

Following on from the discussion of wood flooring’s pleasing appearance, you’re certainly not restricted to one look either. Wood flooring comes in so many different types of wood, finishes, grades and colours that you can create the exact look you want! You’ll first need to choose between engineered and solid, both of which come with their own benefits. If you’re a fan of a rustic interior, then a wood with lots of natural imperfections in a distressed or hand scraped finish would suit perfectly. However, if you prefer something a little more clean-cut then oak with minimal knots would work perfectly with a contemporary style interior.

Versatile

Wood flooring isn’t one of those materials that’s going to create an awkward and tasteless statement. It goes with any style interior and not restricted to one use. For example, if you choose to lay wood flooring in the spare room then it’ll work well with whatever you decide to use the room for in 10 years’ time – for example an office. Once more, you will struggle to find any furniture and furnishings that’ll clash with wood flooring – it really is very easy going!

Durable

Wood flooring is without a doubt one of the most durable and hard-wearing choices for flooring available to buy. Wood flooring generally lasts decades if cared for properly, you almost certainly won’t need to replace it in your life time. It will cope with heavy foot traffic without showing wear, making it very popular with busy family households and in hallways where there’s lots of foot-fall.

Easy maintenance

Whereas carpets provide a haven for dust mites which can trigger allergies, wood flooring doesn’t harbour any extra dirt or debris. You’re not restricted to vacuuming either, wood flooring only needs a sweep and a mop to keep it looking hygienic. Be careful with vacuum attachment and chemicals you use for mopping however, be sure to read the care package before you buy your flooring. Wood flooring is also resistant to scratches, stains and water – however be aware of these as they can cause damage.

Sanded down and refinished

Although wood flooring is incredibly durable, damage can occur. Luckily, there’s a way to eradicate this with wood. You can sand it down and refinish it a number of times, depending on the thickness and wear layer to remove any scratches or stains. This should not normally need to be done for the first 15-20 years though, so you can only imagine how long these fantastic floors can last!

Value for money

Although wood flooring does have a higher price tag to start with than other alternatives, its life time durability often ends up paying for itself as it won’t need to be replaced often. Additionally, it will increase the selling value of your home as it is very popular with prospective buyers!

The post The 7 Wonders of Wood Flooring appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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When it comes to caring for solid wood flooring, little maintenance is required. However, to help you get the best performance, we’ve compiled this handy guide to give you some helpful hints and tips.

As a premium quality flooring range, solid wood is manufactured from a single piece of timber such as Oak or Walnut. Offering superior strength and durability, solid wood flooring not only looks amazing but will withstand the test of time too. 

Adding true authenticity and pure elegance to any room setting, solid wood flooring is a popular choice among homeowners. The ability to be sanded and refinished means you can restore or enhance its classic look. Renowned for add value to your home, wood flooring is a wise investment. 

Top 5 Tips to Care for Solid Wood Flooring

1. Check the room suitability before fitting
2. Regular maintenance will protect its longevity
3. Clean up spillages as quickly as possible
4. Avoid excessive sunlight 
5. Prevent scratches with felt pads, trim claws and no high heels!

Room Suitability for Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring is the marine of the flooring industry; manufactured from 100% natural hardwood, it will outperform its rivals on density, strength and longevity.

Coping well under pressure, solid wood is perfect for areas which experience a heavy footfall such as hallways and stairs.

However when it comes to excessive moisture, humidity or temperature fluctuation there are areas of the home to avoid fitting solid wood. We advise taking a quick peek at our room suitability chart before fitting. 

Regular Maintenance Regime for Solid Wood Flooring 

A regular cleaning routine will help keep your solid wood flooring looking perfect. However, it is important to make sure you’re using the right cleaning agent to protect your flooring’s finish.

Oiled flooring ranges must be cleaned with an oil-based cleaner to nourish the wood and preserve the finish. To be safe, we advise using specialist wood floor cleaners where possible.

Some household cleaning agents contain harmful chemicals which can affect the appearance of your flooring. Bleach, in particular, is a very powerful detergent with the ability to permanently deface your flooring, leaving a white film over the surface. If at all unsure, check the labelling or ask a professional before applying.

Our Complete Clean, Care & Revive Kit is made especially for real wood flooring. Watch the video to find out more about how it can help you get the best our of your floor!

Which Cleaning Agent is best for Solid Wood Flooring?

The Impero Universal Floor Cleaner is a great all-round specialist wood flooring cleaner, suitable for all solid wood flooring types. As a highly concentrated, natural detergent, it performs well on lacquered, oiled and unfinished flooring. 

How to Apply Cleaning Agent to Solid Wood Flooring

To achieve a professional finish we recommend using a flat-headed spray mop. 

Quick and easy to use, simply fill the liquid compartment with your Impero floor cleaner and squeeze the trigger to release.

The integrated spray system evenly distributes the cleaner for the perfect coverage, whilst the machine-washable microfiber cleansing pad makes easy work of capturing any stubborn dirt. Eliminating the need to carry additional equipment, the all in one spray mop takes the effort out of cleaning. 

Treating Spillages and Avoiding Excessive Water 

As previously mentioned, solid wood flooring does not deal well with water.

As the biggest threat to solid wood, it can cause the flooring to lift, warp or even crack. We strongly advise against fitting in a bathroom or kitchen due the high risk associated with these areas.

All spillages need to be tended to as quickly as possible. We advise using a dry microfiber mop (spray mop) as opposed to a regular string head. These will not carry excess water or drip across your flooring. 

Protecting Solid Wood Flooring from Excessive Sunlight 

Excessive sunlight can cause fading and discolouration of hardwood floors. Care should be taken to ensure your solid wood is not overexposed.

Blinds are the perfect solution; whilst serving their functional purpose they are also great for shading your flooring too. 

Preventing Scratches in Solid Wood Flooring

All wood flooring ranges are susceptible to scratches. Whilst some people think they add to the character, others will try their utmost to prevent them.

These simple steps will help you keep solid wood flooring scratches under control… 

Take caution

Particularly important when cleaning. Avoid the use of abrasive materials such as steel wool and scouring pads.

Be attentive when using the hoover too as debris can get caught in the wheels causing accidental scratches during use. We advise using a microfiber mop instead (also known as a spray mop) to avoid unnecessary damage. 

Remove the risk 

High heels and pet claws are two of the biggest causes of scratches on solid wood flooring.

Keeping pet’s claws trimmed and asking guests to remove their shoes will keep scratches at the minimum.

Extra protection

Felt pads are a cost-effective way of softening the impact of furniture on your solid wood flooring. The prevent the build-up of friction or accidental damage when moving. Door mats are also great for preventing excess dirt or debris being trodden across your flooring.  

Use a wood flooring wax

An appropriate wood flooring wax reduces the appearance of any scuffs or scratches, as well as give your flooring added protection.

Our Impero Elite Reviving Wax is perfect for use a couple of times a year to get the best out of your wooden floor!

Repairing Solid Wood Flooring

One of the beauties of solid wood is the ability to sand and refinish to remove any surface damage. Although, the number of times depends on the thickness of the solid wood plank. 

For less intense damage, wood flooring repair kits are available. As a more cost-effective solution, these contain hard wax sticks which are great for masking the damage whilst blending to your wood tone. 

 

When it comes to solid wood flooring care, there are many ways to get the best out of your floor. For more advice, call our helpful experts on 03308 088 777.

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Fashion isn’t just limited to clothes. A few years ago, colour experts bit the bullet and decided to create a colour of the year to give those of you who are interior fashion conscious a guide. After the colour forecast changing dramatically over the years, from bright yellows to subtle greens, what’s exactly on the cards for 2020?

The answer is classic blue – a familiar and trustworthy shade, you’d have a job trying to find somebody who doesn’t like some sort of shade of blue.

You might be slightly underwhelmed to hear that the colour of the year is something as familiar as blue, but this shade is far more than that. We all know that blue is suggested by therapists to be a calming and reliable colour – therefore what better place to have it than your home where these feelings are exactly what you want?

So, what’s the point in having a colour of the year unless there’s a use for it. Well, we are all about keeping up with interior trends, so we’ve come up with some interior ideas where you can incorporate this fantastic shade. With it being a rich and classical colour, there are factors to consider when matching it up to really make your room pop.

First consider which room you’re looking at – using a colour you love in a room you use a lot is always a good place to start. This gorgeous colour would work beautifully in a living room as wood panelling – the perfect mix of contemporary and tradition

If you’re not a fan of anything too traditional and a clean-cut contemporary appearance is much more to your taste, then perhaps don’t overdo this colour. Although it looks great in quantity, it can work just as well in small amounts. Go for a feature wall, this will really draw attention to the colour and create the perfect contrast. Even if you’re not looking for a dramatic change – velvet sofas in this colour or even stylish lamps are a great cheaper way of getting in style.

Now for our favourite room for this colour – the bathroom! More and more of us are moving away from the classic totally white bathroom and opting for something a little more colourful. First it went from mint green in the bathroom, back to white and now for something a little more adventurous. We aren’t saying cover your whole bathroom with this shade – even we’d agree that would be too much! Instead, introduce it gradually, from bath mats, blinds to baths and toilets. Paired with a stunning Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring, it’ll really make your room pop!

For those of you interested, the rgb code for this colour is 23,58,123 and the HEX is 173a7b.

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Our flooring comes into contact with many different elements, especially if you come from a busy family household! Pets and children not only take up our time and energy, but also add to the wear and tear of our floors. With this in mind, we’re going to explore what the best floors are for those of us who have little paws and feet running about.

Durability

Because there will be lots of paw and foot traffic, something that’s going to stand up to heavy use without showing wear is probably the most important factor – the last thing you want is to be spending your savings on a flooring for it to then look tired!

As a first rule, we’d stay away from carpet as it can discolour and go flat if it experiences a lot of foot traffic. The most durable floors includes: wood flooring, Luxury Vinyl Tiles and laminate. All of these options will offer incredible durability, often lasting for many years if looked after properly.

Maintenance

We completely understand that when you have a busy household to run, something that is easy to maintain is very important. Laminate and LVT are the easiest to keep clean, with little maintenance needed to keep them looking fresh. In terms of equipment, both of them require only warm soapy water and a sweeping brush or vacuum.

Although real wood presents us with beauty and style, they do generally require more attention than other options. You need to be careful with what mop you use though, don’t use a steam mop as this can cause the wood to swell over time.

Another factor to consider is if your flooring will cope with spillages and potential scratches. As we’re sure you’re aware, the likelihood of spillages resulting in stains is very common with small children – equally, pet’s claws are very likely to scratch. Wood flooring is also susceptible to water damage if it comes into contact with liquid spillages which if are not cleared up quickly, can also stain and become scratched easily if not properly protected. Although this isn’t ideal, wood can be sanded down a number of times to eradicate any damage. Therefore, if you’re prepared for a little more maintenance spread across a number of years, then wood flooring is totally fine.

However, if you’re looking for a floor which isn’t going to cause you any stress or worry, then we’d go for LVT. It is completely water, scratch and stain proof – there’s no better option! Laminate is another worthy contender – however it is only resistant to these, so bear this in mind when you’re making your decision.

So, don’t be worried if you have pets and children, as discussed there’s many options available that are suitable. Whether you’re prepared for a bit of extra maintenance or need something completely carefree, here at Luxury Flooring we have something that’ll accommodate everyone’s needs!

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EvoCore Flooring is the most versatile flooring range that we offer. Providing maximum protection from moisture, stains, dents and scratches, as well as  temperature fluctuations. Our EvoCore ranges are designed with many factors in mind to provide a great option for all areas of the home, including high-risk areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Our EvoCore range is still young and new to our collection of different flooring options, so this may leave you with a couple of questions. This blog will help explain every point and factor that you may be curious about.

What is EvoCore Flooring?

EvoCore is a combination of 7 different layers to create an extremely resistant and durable flooring:

1. Built-in underlay backing.
2. A standard vinyl board, eliminating any ripples or waves.
3. Ridgid core board, enhancing stability and protection against water damage and expansion.
4. Another standard vinyl board, adding additional robustness against chips and dents.
5. Decor film, which provides different wood patterns and colours depending on your preference.
6. Highly durable wear layer which provides commercial-grade resistance against foot traffic, scuffs and grime.
7. UV protective coating, which not only provides protection against colour fading, but also keeping the decor film clearly visible.

These layers combined provide protection and durability that you simply cannot find in any other flooring range that we offer. Each layer works together to create different protection factors, thus making it perfect for any room in your home.

The Benefits of EvoCore

EvoCore Flooring provides many beneficial factors. They ensure the best protection and resistance against both common and rare household and commercial activities. Below is a bullet-pointed list of each benefit that this range offers: 

• EvoCore is 100% waterproof
• Built-in underlay backing
• Anti-slip surface
• No expansion or contraction when exposed to heat and cold
• Pet-friendly
• Durable and hard-wearing
• No glue needed for installation, due to its easy click-lock installation feature
• Real wood look and feel
• Scratch-resistant
• Compatible with underfloor heating
• Hides subfloor imperfections
• Can be laid over existing flooring
• Eco-friendly

The sheer amount of benefits that EvoCore Flooring provides is completely unmatched when compared to other options. This waterproof flooring is a perfect flooring choice for bathrooms and kitchens, due to its waterproof and anti-slip features. There’s no need to worry about those accidental spills or crazy bath times! 

The EvoCore Ranges

Within our EvoCore Flooring range, we offer 2 different ranges that are better suited to different needs and situations. 

These two ranges, Essential and Premium, are split based on their thickness, coverage and warranty. Premium is classed as more of a luxury range due to its thicker and slightly more durable plank. EvoCore Premium planks are also registered embossed, therefore, the texture on the surface perfectly matches the design, which creates a true wooden look and feel.

EvoCore Essentials

Thickness:	5.2mm	Wear Layer:	0.2mm
Pack Coverage:	2.2m²	Board Length:	1220mm
Board Width:	180mm	Species:	Oak
Pack Contents:	10 boards	Residential Warranty:	10 years

 

Essential Top Picks

Stormy Grey Oak	Natural Almond Oak	Light Toffee Oak
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EvoCore Premium

Thickness:	8mm	Wear Layer:	0.55mm
Pack Coverage:	1.54m²	Board Length:	1220mm
Board Width:	180mm	Species:	Oak
Pack Contents:	7 boards	Residential Warranty:	Lifetime

 

Premium Top Picks

Vintage Grey Oak	Natural English Oak	Crafted Georgian Oak
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Installing EvoCore Flooring

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

Questions and answers

Is EvoCore pet-friendly?

EvoCore is perfect for any pet owner. As its scratch-resistant surface makes it ideal for claw or teeth marks. Additionally, its easy to clean surface is also great for those muddy paw prints that always seem to show up!

Is EvoCore child-friendly?

Children’s activities can almost always lead to a mess of crayon marks and spillages. This stain-resistant and waterproof flooring makes the cleaning process a quick and easy task; all you need is a little soapy water for stains and marks to be removed.

Does EvoCore have an AC rating?

Only our ranges of laminate flooring offer an AC rating. However, our EvoCore premium ranges offer a commercial-grade durability rating.

Is EvoCore compatible with underfloor heating?

Underfloor heating is no challenge for our ranges of EvoCore. It is 5 times less affected compared to LVT in environments which face extreme temperature fluctuations and exposure to direct sunlight. We have tested the effects caused by heat all the way up to 38°C and found no differences in its shape or size, thus making it perfect for practically any room.

Where can EvoCore Flooring be laid?

EvoCore can be laid in absolutely any room in your home due to its strength and durability. It can even be laid in wetter or more active areas of the home such as bathrooms or kitchens.

To conclude, EvoCore Flooring is a great option for any home. Its many benefits and easy installation makes for a great stress-free job. We hope any questions or queries that you may have had has been answered in this blog. If not, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 03308 088 777.

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