Engineered Wood Flooring Styles

Engineered wood flooring is a great alternative to real wood flooring, in terms of both price and practicality. In addition, engineered wood can offer more variety in styles and colours.

In this blog, we’ll cover the different styles of engineered wood flooring, as well as the species of wood, the different plank widths available, varying thicknesses and finishes. Using our advice, you will be able to find the perfect wood for you.

What is engineered wood flooring?

While solid wood is made from one piece, engineered wood flooring is made up of a combination of different layers:

• A bottom layer; this layer is used as a supportive backing to the rest of the flooring.
• A central layer; usually consisting of plywood, this makes up a large portion of the flooring.
• A top layer; this layer is made of hardwood veneer and is what is shown when the flooring is installed. 

The benefits of engineered wood flooring

Firstly, engineered wood flooring is very affordable. While engineered wood uses less real wood compared to the real thing, it has a very authentic wood look and feel at a much friendlier price.

 

Engineered wood flooring is also extremely durable. The multiple layers of plywood, coupled with a protective surface, makes for a highly resistant choice for high-traffic areas of your home and is a great benefit to having engineered wood flooring in your home.

 

You will be able to find very similar, if not identical, engineered wood flooring styles when comparing to solid wood flooring. This is because the surface layer of engineered wood flooring is a real wood veneer. The wood grains and patterns, as well as stains and colours, create a truly authentic look and feel to your flooring.

 

You can also sand down the veneer on the surface, which can then be refinished to your desirable stain. This can be done a number of times during your flooring’s lifespan, which makes it a very long-lasting option. 

 

If you’re looking at laying your flooring in a kitchen, engineered wood is an ideal choice. Engineered wood is extremely strong and durable, which means it won’t flex or change shape from the changing temperatures or moisture in your kitchen. This means it’s also compatible with underfloor heating.

 

In fact, engineered wood flooring is a great option for almost any room. Its durability and strength make it a top candidate for busy family homes. The ranges available also mean you don’t need to compromise looks for practicality.

Colours

Here at Direct Wood Flooring, we offer a range of engineered flooring styles, these include black, grey, white, brown, golden and natural colours as options for our engineered wood flooring.

 

Our selection of golden engineered wood flooring goes with both modern and traditional interiors, it also fits into more rustic interiors. additionally, this can fit in well with the “farmhouse” style that’s so popular right now.

 

Grey engineered wood flooring is one of our most popular engineered wood flooring styles. It goes very well with similarly grey interiors, while white or light-coloured walls help complement a contemporary interior. 

 

White engineered wood flooring complements pastel-coloured walls and makes the most of natural light, as the bright tone reflects the light around your interior effectively.

 

Natural engineered wood flooring is very versatile and can go with anything. It’s timeless, yet trendy appearance makes for great all-round colour and tone, whether you want to keep it traditional or go for something more contemporary.

 

Brown and black engineered wood flooring go hand in hand, as both colours compliment lightly coloured walls and furniture. You can spice up your interior even further by adding dark highlights to your furniture. 

 

Shades

As well as a variety of colours, we also offer different shades to suit the exact engineered wood flooring styles that you’re after.

 

Our various options of light engineered flooring make the most out of the natural sunlight that makes its way into your home, creating a welcoming atmosphere. This type of flooring is available in a wide variety of colours. 

 

Although many people see grey as a fairly dark option for flooring, we offer a range of lighter grey options that couple great with modern interiors.

 

Our range of medium engineered wood flooring styles offer a similar versatility to the natural colour range we offer. The neutral shade, coupled with dark wood grains and knots, means that this range can fit into both light and dark interiors. Natural coloured flooring is always a great option for any interior. Our ranges of medium, natural shades offer that classic wood flooring look.

 

Dark shaded engineered wood offers a rustic, warm tone. Dark engineered wood flooring brings out the colour in lightly coloured interiors, or for a little less contrast they’re just as at home in homes with a darker colour scheme. Our range of colours within our dark engineered wood range all offer a high quality, each having their own different aesthetic appeals.

 Styles

Our engineered flooring styles offer a wide selection of designs:

 

Herringbone flooring is an extremely popular choice among other engineered wood flooring styles; the layout design achieves a timeless look. The angled planks create a beautiful pattern, aptly named after the bones of herringbone fish, which you can pair with a modern or classic interior. A huge selection of colours and shades to choose from means you can add your own personal preference to a beautiful design.

 

Distressed wood is also a popular choice when it comes to engineered wood flooring styles. This specific style offers a rustic, raw appearance, perfect for both modern and classic interiors. We offer this type of engineered wood in a range of different shades and colours, so you can find the flooring that suits you best.

 

If you’re wanting a flooring that’s all your own, look no further than our unfinished engineered flooring styles. As the name implies, this particular type of flooring is completely unfinished, this means you can stain this flooring with your desired oils. We offer a wide selection of Osmo oils, to create different shades for your flooring. 

Plank width

Engineered wood comes in different widths. The width you choose comes down to personal preference the different thicknesses of planks can offer different visual effects.

 

Standard width engineered wood flooring offers the classic flooring look. The width of each plank will be around 130mm. If you are looking for the simple, go-to width, standard is a great choice.

 

Narrow width engineered flooring styles are great for making your room look bigger. The small width of each plank results in a higher number of joins which cover the surface of the floor. This creates an elongated, linear look. Narrow boards are commonly found in a herringbone design. Narrow flooring is usually around 90mm in width.

 

Wide width engineered wood flooring works great in big rooms, making the room appear smaller and cosier. Wider flooring results in a smaller amount of joins in each plank, which gives the illusion that the room appears smaller. Wide engineered wood flooring is usually around 190mm in width.

 

Extra-wide engineered wood flooring is our widest variant, ranging between 220mm and 300mm in width. These planks work very well with large rooms, similar to wide width floors. Our ranges of different colours and shades make this a great option for versatility in terms of style.

 

Engineered woods commonly start off at a standard width of 120mm, however, we offer a narrow plank width witch comes in a herringbone style.

Wood species

Engineered wood flooring can come in a wide variety of different species. The species refers to the solid wood veneer which creates the design of the flooring. Two of the most popular are oak and walnut.

Oak is our most popular and common choice. This species of flooring is widely available due to its popularity and quality. Our oak is sustainably sourced, strong and resilient. Oak provides a very attractive natural grain which is great for flooring. Additionally, oak is very easy to sand down and re-stain, so you can change your flooring to whatever shade or colour you like using one of our Osmo Oils. If you’re looking for a classic wood look and feel, oak is a great choice. 

Our other option is walnut. This particular wood species is of high quality while remaining budget-friendly and easy to find. Our walnut is also sustainably sourced. Walnut flooring is considered a classic choice as it has been used for centuries, similar to oak. Walnut flooring is also excellent at absorbing shock and reducing noise levels in your home.

Different finishes

The different finishes that you can find on engineered wood flooring alter both the look and feel of the flooring. It’s important to know the difference between them so you can choose the right flooring for your needs.

 

Brushed and Oiled flooring means that the flooring has been lightly brushed to expose more of the natural qualities of the surface. It is then layered with coats of oil to protect the wood from daily use.

 

Unfinished Flooring simply means the wood has not been touched in any way with any kind of oil. The surface can be sanded and stained with an oil of your choice to create a unique style.

 

Brushed and Lacquered floors have been lightly brushed to expose some natural quality of the wood surface, then a thin resin is applied over the surface. This resin allows for the woods natural grains and knots to be defined while being protected from regular wear and tear.

 

Oiled floors have been lightly covered in layers of oil, this oil helps protect the surface from daily use. The protective oil is effective and can come in a different range of colours and shades. A clear oil is also used if you want a natural look to your floor.

 

Lacquered floors have been covered in a thin, protective resin. This resin defines the woods natural grains and textures, while simultaneously acting as a great protective layer to keep the flooring in good condition against daily use.

Thickness

Choosing a thin or thick Engineered wood is down to personal preference as well as practicality. In order to choose the thickness that suits you, it’s important to know the differences. The overall thickness of an engineered wood plank refers to the entire plank, including the layers and veneer.  A thicker wood plank results in thicker layers and a thicker veneer

 

10mm is the thinnest thickness that we offer, the veneer surface, as well as the plywood layers would be a little thinner compared to the thicker options, but still offers a similar amount of strength. This is no problem for low traffic areas of your home such as guest bedrooms. However, we suggest going for thicker, more durable engineered wood for other rooms.

 

14mm flooring offers more versatility in terms of practicality and strength. You Can place 14mm flooring in areas with higher traffic, such as kitchens and living rooms.

 

15mm flooring, although just a millimetre thicker, offers more durability overall. Similar to 14mm flooring, you can place 15mm flooring in high-traffic areas of your home, due to its added strength.

 

18mm thickness is considerably more dense and resistant, with a larger amount of material. Wood this thick is a great choice for commercial areas, as the density and thickness of the plank offers a high amount of resistance to wear and tear.  

 

20mm is the thickest option that we offer. This particular thickness makes for a thick, strong plank. The strength and thickness of 20mm flooring means subfloors are not a necessary requirement, unless the floor it is being laid on is uneven.

Although there are many different engineered wood flooring styles, colours, widths and thicknesses, the process can be made a lot easier when you know exactly what you’re after. We hope you’ve gained a little more knowledge of the different options that we offer, and remember, you can order your free samples and take a closer look at our engineered wood flooring.

The post Engineered Wood Flooring Styles appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Most people would agree that the basement is far from heart of the home, and is usually used as a storage space, the dumping ground or even somewhere to do the washing and other mundane tasks. Now we know that there’s got to be somewhere to put your festival tent, your Christmas tree or even expensive sports gear that doesn’t come out much, but that’s what attic or garage is for, right? With this in mind, there’s no reason why you can’t make your basement into an enjoyable space, all while holding that much needed storage space. The idea of dark, dingy spooky basements is a thing of the past, with basements which have been renovated to meet the stylish, groovy demands of the modern era having become increasingly common.

Your basement might have much more potential than you might have first thought, so don’t let such a large space go to waste. Also, what better way to have some fun with interior design? Before you get too excited with planning and buying new accessories, it’s important to carefully consider what you’re going to use the space for. Will it exclusively be a playroom for the kids, chill out zone with a pool table and dartboard, home cinema, minibar or will it still have an element of practicality, such as somewhere to do your washing.

Once you’ve decided on the use, we’d recommend looking at lighting first. Basements tend to be windowless or very limited natural light, so good lighting is key. Typically, basements have low ceilings, so we’d perhaps recommend having built in spotlights, wall lighting and perhaps stylish lamps. Of course, the lack of light is great if you’re creating a cinema room, which is a perfect idea if you have a box shaped room in your basement, as it creates the perfect dimensions for a large cinema style tv and big comfy sofa with no annoying unused corners! If you’re lucky enough, maybe even a popcorn machine to really get into the mood…

The basement is the perfect space to accommodate your hobbies. You might feel like you can’t justify using a room upstairs in your home dedicated completely to your hobby, however somehow using the basement for it makes you feel slightly less guilty. If you’re crafty and artistic, then a room to do all your painting, sewing and creating is a really popular use for basements, it will really get your creative juices flowing! If you’re a budding musician, perhaps it could be somewhere to practise your music and bring your band without disturbing your household or neighbours?

Keeping the palette white and bright is a good way to give the illusion of more space too, as well as keeping away from the dark colours than can make it look dingy.

Do not fear, there are ways to combat those awkward corners and transform them into useful space! Install shelves into small grooves to make the most of that storage space. Corner cupboards are a great way to make the most of awkward corners, and you can keep the things you only get out once a year or so.

An entertaining party room is always a good idea with basements. The darkness makes way for a fantastic dance floor with a disco ball or even strobe lights if you are a total party animal! If you’re lucky enough to be able to install a bar, then go for it…

If your basement does have a decent amount of natural light coming through, then there’s no reason you can’t make it into a guest or normal bedroom. Be careful with this one though, nobody wants to be shoved in a cold, dark basement!

And here it is, one a lot of you have been waiting to be mentioned…create your very own gym! It you’re lucky enough to be able to afford gym equipment and keen on keeping fit, then making your basement into a gym is the perfect idea. It keeps the unsightly equipment out of the way of the rest of the house, and you’ll have your very own exercise space…you’ll never have to drag yourself to the gym again! Don’t forget to invest in some rubber mats to protect your flooring from the heavy equipment though!

Flooring should be at the top of your basement revamping ideas! Create an affluent space with real wood accompanied by a comforting rug. Once more, you can get this look with vinyl and laminate at a cheaper price…

Don’t feel guilty however if you do need to use your basement for the washing and drying, it’s got to be done somewhere! It keeps it out of the way of the rest of the house and somewhere (hopefully) the wet washing won’t get knocked down by playing children! Make your washing area a pleasant place to be, with coloured cabinets and a shiny new washing machine, increasing your storage space too!

The post The basement: what are its uses? appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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Buying a new floor for your home can be stressful, time consuming and an expensive process. Make sure you have a good while to test your samples, so you can confidently choose the perfect one for your space. Think carefully about how they feel and look, placing it in the rooms you are considering laying it in or even ones you’re not- you never know it could be perfect for that unexpected room!

With so many flooring options on the market such as: solid and engineered wood, laminate, vinyl, carpet and tiles, it can come as a bit of a challenge choosing the right one! The best thing to do is whittle down the practical benefits of each flooring that is most suitable for the room you’re looking to lay it in. For example, wood flooring is very durable, and carpet is warm and luxurious under foot- choosing the right flooring is a whole other decision!

Once you’ve chosen the type of flooring you’re looking for, it’s time to order your sample, and here at Luxury Flooring we provide them free!

 Test durability

It’s well known that products vary in resilience hugely. Start off by seeing how easily it scratches and dents. Try dropping a heavy object onto your sample or drag something sharp across it, within reason of course! Try spilling water or something that’s likely to stain such as red wine or food products. After this, clean it up straight away then repeat the process, leaving it longer before you clean it up. Another good test is to try walking on it with heels, run your kid’s toys over it, get your pet’s paws in contact with it. All these tests will show how resilient your flooring is to the trails of everyday life.

Texture

As you can imagine, you will come into contact with your flooring a lot, so it’s important to get the feel of it right. Place the samples down and walk on it barefoot, it’s imperative for it to feel cushioned and comfortable underfoot. Flooring with a high textured surface can sometimes feel slightly rougher under foot, tiles are cold and firm, so make sure you test it, so you make the right decision. While walking on the floor, take notice whether or not the shoes leave marks with the pressure of your weight.

 Lighting

This can hugely change the way your flooring appears. Place the sample in different areas of the room at different times of the day. As well as this, test it in artificial and natural light- make sure the floor looks flattering with all types of light at all times of the day. Don’t be afraid to order samples that you might not have originally associated with the colour scheme in your room- you’ll never know how it will look until you test it in the room. Look at both warm and cool tones to see what works best.

Consider temperature changes

Extremes in temperatures can alter flooring. Consider the temperatures of the room and make sure you expose the sample to this. For example, the boiler room will see significantly higher temperatures than the living room, so it’s certainly worth putting the sample through this test. Not all flooring can cooperate with underfloor heating too, so make sure you’ve done your research about which floorings are appropriate if under floor heating is something you have already or are looking to install.

One you’ve put your sample through these tests, then it should become clearer to see which flooring makes the best choice for your home.

The post How to test your flooring before you buy it appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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Laminate flooring is a fantastic option for those who want a real wood look and feel for a lower price, or for those who require added durability. If you aren’t sure whether laminate flooring is the right move for you, our laminate buying guide blog will cover everything you need to know.

This blog will include both the advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring, where you can lay laminate, different AC ratings, the best laminate flooring suited to your needs and many more factors that are important to consider.

 

The Benefits of Laminate Flooring

There are many benefits to laminate flooring. Below is a list of key advantages that you should consider when making the all-important decision on whether to buy:

Advantages

• Laminate is highly durable, and can withstand a large amount of foot traffic
• It is a great option if you’re looking for flooring to put in your bathroom or kitchen, as it does not absorb moisture as much as real wooden floors
• Laminate is affordable, and can look almost identical to real wood flooring
• With our click-lock fitting mechanism, laminate flooring is quick and easy to install
• Laminate is scratch and water-resistant, which makes it perfect for busy family homes, as well as bathrooms and kitchens
• Compared to real wood, Laminate is more hygienic and easier to clean, and only requires a regular sweep and the occasional damp mop
• The manufacturing process of laminate results in a highly durable and reliable flooring, with highly consistent results throughout each plank

Disadvantages

• Laminate flooring isn’t the real thing; if you’re looking for a 100% genuine wood flooring look and feel, you can only find that with real wood flooring
• Wood flooring tends to have a longer lifespan than laminate, as it can be sanded and refinished

 

Where Can You Lay Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a great choice for any room in your home. The strong durable surface, coupled with the wide range of styles of colours, provides a huge range to choose from. The easy click installation that we include on all of our laminate flooring makes the laying process much easier.

While laminate is great for any room, you need to make sure you use AC5-rated laminate for bathrooms; this is because this rating of flooring is able to withstand high amounts of moisture, due to its higher durability and rough, textured surface. AC ratings depend on which laminate flooring your looking at.

 

Laminate AC Ratings

To put it simply, AC ratings define how strong and durable the said laminate is; the higher the number, the stronger and more durable the flooring is. An AC4 rating is our most common rating with laminate flooring. Its also important to remember that a high AC rating doesn’t mean its the best laminate flooring you can choose from, the AC ratings of laminate all serve their own purpose that will be preferred by different people.

Laminate Flooring gets its AC rating by being put through rigorous testing. This is to determine how resistant it is to abrasion, moisture and a number of other different factors. 

AC ratings range from AC1 to AC5 – AC1 being the lowest score, with the laminate’s strength increasing with each higher rating. 

AC5-rated laminate is used more commonly in commercial areas like shops, this is because it can withstand a very high amount of pressure and foot traffic.

In order to receive an AC rating, the laminate has to pass each test. If it doesn’t, it will not receive a rating. For this reason, the AC rating is a sign of quality in laminate floors. The AC ratings can vary depending on which laminate flooring you choose.

 

AC1

Suitable for moderate traffic. Best suited to use in bedrooms or guest rooms.

AC2

Suitable for general traffic like Dining or living rooms.

AC3

Suitable for heavy traffic. Generally suitable for all areas, especially areas such as hallways.

AC4

Suitable for moderate traffic in commercial spaces. Think small offices, cafés or smaller retail outlets.

AC5

Suitable for heavy traffic in commercial spaces. Large department stores, public buildings and large offices.

 

Thickness Variety in Laminate Flooring

Thickness is an important factor to consider when deciding on which laminate flooring is best suited to you. A thicker laminate will provide a more real wood feel, the thicker depth also results in a more detailed etching. A thicker width can also reduce echo in your room.

A thinner Laminate Flooring may not include as many benefits, however, it is considerably cheaper.

Laminate flooring is manufactured between the thicknesses of 6mm and 12mm. Usually, a durable laminate floor is between 10mm and 12mm, however, if your subfloor is level and adequate, 7mm or 8mm is definitely an option.

 

What is The Best laminate Flooring For Me?

Laminate flooring opens up a range of different options that you wouldn’t be able to find with many other kinds of flooring. If you’re looking for a walnut appearance, a natural-toned wood look, or even a stone texture, we have the range to suit your taste.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a laminate buying guide without mentioning Grey Laminate. It has become a massive trend with interior designers and homeowners alike. Its natural-looking tone and colour help the flooring blend into any interior effortlessly.

 

Pricing

Compared to real wood flooring, laminate flooring is very cost-effective, which is a great option for those on a budget. Shown below is an example of our different ranges of laminate flooring based on price point. Ranging from low cost and budget-friendly to higher price ranges, there are various specifications to suit your needs and preferences.

Studio Grey	Cottage Dark Chocolate Oak	Supreme 12mm Highland Oak Titan
£8.74/m²	£14.99/m²	£23.99/m²
Read More	Read More	Read More
Add Free Sample to Cart	Add Free Sample to Cart	Add Free Sample to Cart

Conclusion

The best laminate flooring for your needs comes down to both personal preference, as well as overall practicality when evaluating how often the flooring will be walked on. Laminate flooring is one of the best replacements for wood flooring that you can get, both have their positives and negatives. However, laminate is getting closer and closer to the real thing, and can offer many advantages that real wood flooring may not be able to provide. Take the advice in this laminate buying guide to help you in your decision.

If you have any further queries or questions, be sure to call us on 03308 088 777 or leave a comment below.

The post Laminate Buying Guide: Which Laminate Flooring is Right for You? appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Looking for amazing savings on your interiors this Black November? Look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the best savings for your home, based on tips from Money Saving Expert and other leading price comparison sites.

 

Of course, we couldn’t look at Black November Deals without including the fantastic savings we’re offing across our entire flooring range. From Solid Wood Parquet to Laminate, we have up to 50% off – plus an extra 10% using code BLACK10. This incredible offer is valid until midnight on Black Friday.

 

Villa Harbour Oak Grey Laminate               Oxford Herringbone Vanilla Oak 

 

We’re also offering the same amazing deal on our sister site, Flooring Superstore; home to a huge range of quality Carpets and trendy Vinyl. No matter which room you’re renovating, we’ve got you covered.

 

Our Grass Direct brand caters for the garden too, with up to 50% off all of our artificial grass ranges, plus an additional 20% off using code BLACK20. Again, this offer is valid until midnight on Black Friday.

 

Now, where else can you save?

 

moneysavingexpert.com have published their top picks for Black Friday and Cyber Monday predictions based on last year’s amazing offers. To make life easier for you, we’ve picked out last year’s interior savings:

 

Amazon

Eight days of Black Friday deals – includes 1000’s of items including tech.

 

Littlewoods & Very

Discounts on electricals.

 

Matalan

Up to 50% off? On homeware and other ranges.

 

Next

Up to 70% off on selected home lines.

 

Morrisons

5 days of deals including homeware.

 

Apple

Free gift cards with purchases – last year up to £160 with MacBook, iMac, iPad etc.

 

Argos

Discounts across the range.

 

Debenhams

Up to 50% off selected departments.

 

Lakeland

Up to 50% off.

 

Selfridges

20% off across the website.

 

John Lewis

Price Matching, with offers on electrical and home.

Look out for dedicated Black Friday pages across the retailors websites, like this one from John Lewis. If the discount is not site-wide, the best savings are likely to be listed here. There could be extra savings coming up for Cyber Monday or additional offers worth noting too.

 

 

 

This year’s Black Friday lands on the 29^th November, however, the majority of these retailers are expected to start their promotions earlier – just like we have.

 

In order to beat the Black Friday rush, we have extended our savings throughout the month. Not only does this guarantee you the lowest prices throughout all of November, but also allows you to secure your stock ready for those Christmas renovations. We all love a good spruce up for family gatherings.

 

Other ways to save

 

Which.co.uk recommend that preparation is key to getting the best deals from Black Friday. Signing up to newsletters, checking your emails and researching social media will keep you ahead of the game in the Black Friday rush. They also advise keeping an eye out for Price Match Promises and to start your shopping early to avoid disappointment.

 

EmmaDrew.info has created a fantastic blog on ways to save money this Black Friday. Her top tips include setting a budget to control your spending, writing a list to keep on track of what you need, researching discount codes and monitoring price changes.

 

Let us know how you intend to save this Black Friday! Or get in touch with our flooring experts to take advantage of our amazing savings on 03308088777.

The post Beat the Black Friday Rush with Black November Super Savings! appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Decorating a rental property is very different to decorating your own home. While glamming up your own abode is a way to express your taste and personality, with a buy-to-let property you’re trying to create something that suits everyone, will withstand potentially unruly tenants, and on a tighter budget. Whether you’re a new landlord and need some advice on where to start with decorating or even if you’re an experienced landlord and just need some fresh ideas, then we’ve put together some tips and ideas for you. Keep reading to get your ideas flowing…

Walls

Paint the walls neutral colours, as although it belongs to you, your tenants will want to make it their own. That means stay away from boldly patterned wallpapers, bright colours, and try keep all the walls the same colour throughout the house if you can. Unfurnished properties are the most common these days, so a theme that will go with your tenant’s furniture is important. They’ll no doubt be imagining their own belongings in the home when they come to view, so you’ll want to make this vision to come as easily as possible.

Another tip, if you have more than one rental property, paint them all the same colour so you can use the same tin whenever touch ups are needed.

Maintenance and furniture

You’re going to want to reduce the amount of complaints from your tenants and repairs you’ll have to make. Install tough, anti-slam doors, doorknobs that aren’t going to dig holes in the walls, and try avoiding too much glass. Objects that look too breakable will put tenants off as they will worry about their deposit and you don’t want to be replacing things either. If you’re letting the property as furnished, then cheap robust furniture is preferable, but don’t have anything unnecessary. In terms of seating, leather sofas are more resistant to stains as opposed to fabric ones but can also be scratched easier- something to bear in mind if you’re allowing tenants with pets. When it comes to colour, just like walls, don’t go for anything that’s too much of a statement- plain sofas are better.

In regard to the bathroom, you should consider installing the shower over the bath as opposed to a shower tray, as the latter is more prone to leaks. Electric showers are preferable too as if you have boiler problems your tenants can still have a shower, you’ll be very grateful for this when it does happen!

Flooring

Flooring is one of the key elements of any rental property, with many aspects to consider, including practicality, durability and style, often in that order. With this in mind, you’ll want to carefully consider which option to choose, which will often depend on areas in which you’re looking to refloor. Although solid and engineered wood flooring products look incredible, they are probably best avoided in rental properties, as they are typically more expensive to buy than other options. Taking this into account, you’ll probably want to consider Luxury Vinyl Tiles, laminate and carpet as our primary flooring options.

LVT and laminate come in a range of colours and styles, including that desirable natural wood look, and are more resistant to stains, liquid and general wear and tear. In addition to this, they’re also a lot easier to clean and maintain too!

Carpet is a common choice in many homes, not just rental properties, but it’s not always the most practical option, as, it doesn’t take well to spillages and stains. The last thing you want after having decorated is to have a tenant accidentally knock over a glass of red wine or drop spaghetti Bolognese all over your new cream carpet, so although it may provide additional warmth, it might not be the best option for a rental property in living areas. Having said that, carpet is much better suited to stairs and bedrooms, where there is a lower risk of it getting damaged and needing to be replaced once the tenants move out.

There is really one main rule to remember when doing up your rental property: keep it simple. A fresh, clean and well finished property will be much more successful than a property that’s not been updated and has too much clutter. You want a blank canvas essentially and if you take this advice hopefully your tenants will want to stay for many years…

 

The post Letting a property: how to decorate? appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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

Decorating a rental property is very different to decorating your own home. While glamming up your own abode is a way to express your taste and personality, with a buy-to-let property you’re trying to create something that suits everyone, will withstand potentially unruly tenants, and on a tighter budget. Whether you’re a new landlord and need some advice on where to start with decorating or even if you’re an experienced landlord and just need some fresh ideas, then we’ve put together some tips and ideas for you. Keep reading to get your ideas flowing…

Walls

Paint the walls neutral colours, as although it belongs to you, your tenants will want to make it their own. That means stay away from boldly patterned wallpapers, bright colours, and try keep all the walls the same colour throughout the house if you can. Unfurnished properties are the most common these days, so a theme that will go with your tenant’s furniture is important. They’ll no doubt be imagining their own belongings in the home when they come to view, so you’ll want to make this vision to come as easily as possible.

Another tip, if you have more than one rental property, paint them all the same colour so you can use the same tin whenever touch ups are needed.

Maintenance and furniture

You’re going to want to reduce the amount of complaints from your tenants and repairs you’ll have to make. Install tough, anti-slam doors, doorknobs that aren’t going to dig holes in the walls and try avoiding too much glass. Objects that look too breakable will put tenants off as they will worry about their deposit and you don’t want to be replacing things either. If you’re letting the property as furnished, then cheap robust furniture is preferable, but don’t have anything unnecessary. In terms of seating, leather sofas are more resistant to stains as opposed to fabric ones but can also be scratched easier- something to bear in mind if you’re allowing tenants with pets. When it comes to colour, just like walls, don’t go for anything that’s too much of a statement; plain sofas are better.

In regards to the bathroom, you should consider installing the shower over the bath as opposed to a shower tray, as the latter is more prone to leaks. Electric showers are preferable too as if you have boiler problems your tenants can still have a shower, you’ll be very grateful for this when it does happen!

Flooring

Flooring is one of the key elements of any rental property, with many aspects to consider, including practicality, durability and style, often in that order. With this in mind, you’ll want to carefully consider which option to choose, which will often depend on areas in which you’re looking to re floor. Although solid and engineered wood flooring products look incredible, they are probably best avoided in rental properties, as they are typically more expensive to buy than other options. Taking this into account, you’ll probably want to consider Luxury Vinyl Tiles, laminate and carpet as our primary flooring options.

LVT and laminate come in a range of colours and styles, including that desirable natural wood look, and are more resistant to stains, liquid and general wear and tear. In addition to this, they’re also a lot easier to clean and maintain too!

Carpet is a common choice in many homes, not just rental properties, but it’s not always the most practical option, as, it doesn’t take well to spillages and stains. The last thing you want after having decorated is to have a tenant accidentally knock over a glass of red wine or drop spaghetti bolognese all over your new cream carpet, so although it may provide additional warmth, it might not be the best option for a rental property in living areas. Having said that, carpet is much better suited to stairs and bedrooms, where there is a lower risk of it getting damaged and needing to be replaced once the tenants move out.

There is really one main rule to remember when doing up your rental property: keep it simple. A fresh, clean and well finished property will be much more successful than a property that’s not been updated and has too much clutter. You want a blank canvas essentially and if you take this advice hopefully your tenants will want to stay for many years…

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

When it comes to buying the right flooring, there are so many things to consider that it can become a bit over whelming, especially when you don’t know where to start!

Wood flooring has become increasingly more popular than ever and it’s easy to see why. Its charm and charisma adds sophistication to any home, as well creating a timeless appeal.

So, let’s say you’ve decided to go for wooden flooring, then comes the question of which grade to go for; something you’ll need to be well aware of before picking your dream flooring.

Prime/ A Grade

This grade of wood contains minimal knots offering a clean contemporary look to your living space. This is perfect if you enjoy the look of wood but want something a little plainer and clean cut. Prime grade flooring often compliments any interior due to its neutral appearance, therefore you have a little more freedom when furnishing your home!

Common/ AB Grade

With this grade you can preserve the wood’s natural splendour with all the practical protection. It shows more character and authenticity than a classic grade but less so than rustic. You still get the desirable random variation of knots while achieving that slick look. Its relaxed neutral appearance would suit a bedroom or living room, where calmness is sought after.

Classic/ ABC Grade

A classic grade allows the natural variation of wood without too much of the authentic knots and grains to be too obvious. It is worth remembering that the planks will all differ in terms of slight colour difference, knots and grains.

Rustic/ ABCD Grade

This grade is very natural flowing and no limits to the number of knots and grains it contains.The colour may also vary, as this grade is purposely been preserved to keep it as naturalistic as possible.

Although these grades are all very similar, there are subtle differences, both in terms of colour variation and the number of knots in the wood, but if you’re keen on getting everything in place, then pay attention to these grades.

The post Wooden grades- what’s the difference? appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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

When it comes to buying the right flooring, there are so many things to consider that it can become a bit over whelming, especially when you don’t know where to start!

Wood flooring has become increasingly more popular than ever and it’s easy to see why. Its charm and charisma adds sophistication to any home, as well creating a timeless appeal.

So, let’s say you’ve decided to go for wooden flooring, then comes the question of which grade to go for; something you’ll need to be well aware of before picking your dream flooring.

Prime/ A Grade

This grade of wood contains minimal knots offering a clean contemporary look to your living space. This is perfect if you enjoy the look of wood but want something a little plainer and clean cut. Prime grade flooring often compliments any interior due to its neutral appearance, therefore you have a little more freedom when furnishing your home!

Common/ AB Grade

With this grade you can preserve the wood’s natural splendour with all the practical protection. It shows more character and authenticity than a classic grade but less so than rustic. You still get the desirable random variation of knots while achieving that slick look. Its relaxed neutral appearance would suit a bedroom or living room, where calmness is sought after.

Classic/ ABC Grade

A classic grade allows the natural variation of wood without too much of the authentic knots and grains to be too obvious. It is worth remembering that the planks will all differ in terms of slight colour difference, knots and grains.

Rustic/ ABCD Grade

This grade is very natural flowing and no limits to the number of knots and grains it contains.The colour may also vary, as this grade is purposely been preserved to keep it as naturalistic as possible.

Although these grades are all very similar, there are subtle differences, both in terms of colour variation and the number of knots in the wood, but if you’re keen on getting everything in place, then pay attention to these grades.

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

When looking for the perfect hardwood floors, each person has their own priorities set. For some, it’s design. For others, it might be price. Many people do have one common priority: practicality. No one wants to break their back trying to keep their hardwood floors looking new and clean. 

With the range of options out there, it might be hard to know where to begin when looking for hardwood floors that are easy to keep. But there are a few aspects that you can take into consideration when picking the right hardwood floors for your home.

Color

Even if you have a design in mind, the color wood you’ll pick can play a big role when it comes to practicality. Darker colors can scratch more easily, and any stains or dirt will be more visible without the right finish. They would be better picks for rooms where there is not a lot of walking around, or where furniture is not moved around too much.

Lighter colors, on the other hand, can hide dust or dirt very well because of the grains, and the color tone of the wood. They would not be so visible in Ash White hardwood floors, for instance. Another great option would be multi-tone hardwood floors, since it already has a naturally “stained” look to it. 

Humidity resistance

One big issue with anything made of wood is dealing with humidity. It can make wood wear out really quickly by contracting and expanding, losing its shape, form, and/or color. While there are many types out there that are resistant, some of the best options are engineered woods. The interior of these woods are produced to prevent warping. But it is important to pick an option with thicker wear layers, as they are more resistant to scratches.

Janka Hardness scale

This scale was made to identify and classify the density of the wood. The reason why this is important is because, the denser it is, the more durable it can be. This means it won’t dent or scratch so easily, making it perfect for most businesses or social spaces. The softest wood ever measured, Balsa, ranked 22 lbf (pounds-force), while the hardest one registered was Australian Buloke, at 5,060 lbf.

Finish

The finish on your hardwood floors can help keep them for longer depending on your choice. Look-wise, there are matte, satin, and gloss finishes. Glossy finishes, while not as popular anymore, are great for maintenance. 

There is another way to classify hardwood floor finishes, which is by its base. Oil-based polyurethane adds a glow to the wood while also being able to withstand the natural movement of the wood. On the other hand, acrylic urethane (also called water-based) makes the resin more resistant to wear such as scratches, but it is not as resistant to heat or solvents. Therefore, an oil-based finish can make keeping the wood easier in the long term.

It is possible to find a common ground between the design and color you have in mind and a hardwood floor option that won’t be too hard to keep! Just try to check as many items off this list, and you’ll be able to pick the option that best suits your priorities.