Becoming a homeowner is a matter of choice. There are also many areas where you have to make decisions on the appearance and function of your home. From deciding on the colors of paint you need on the wall to the kitchen appliances; it is all up to you to choose what suits you.
If you are building your home in Canberra, one of the choices you need to make is the type of floor to install. This is a very important decision as you will use it every day and it will add to the value of your home. The number of flooring options can be overwhelming; therefore, we will discuss why you need to consider timber flooring for your Canberra home.
Types of Timber Flooring
When it comes to wood-related projects, softwood and hardwood are commonly used terms. But they are not the only types available. We will provide a detailed explanation of each type of timber flooring.
1. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood is among the best options in timber flooring. Many people who desire a traditional timber floor usually go for hardwood timber. It is strong and lasts for a long time. However, this timber is quite pricey because it is gotten from deciduous trees. These trees grow slowly and the demand for them is high.
The low supply and excess demand create pressure on the price. This makes hardwood timber floors the costliest material you can find in the timber market. It is durable and fire-resistant. Examples of hardwood are mahogany, maple, birch, ash, oak, walnut, and teak. Hardwood timber floors however, do not cope well in humid conditions; therefore, you have to spend some money maintaining them.
You may want to read more about hardwood flooring here.
2. Softwood Flooring
This type is not very tough like the hardwood. It is gotten from evergreen trees. Due to the fact that deciduous trees do not grow quickly, people resort to softwood trees. These are less expensive options and are available almost all the time.
Softwood looks like hardwood and you may not be able to tell the difference. It is used in building homes and making furniture and cabins. It is a good flooring option and can be installed easily, at a low cost. Some examples of softwood trees are fir, larch, cedar, spruce, and pine. Softwood will expand when the weather is humid but will shrink during dry weather. Therefore, you need to prepare to maintain them during those seasons.
3. Engineered Wood
Engineered wood consists of some layers of ply or HDF (high-density fiberboard). This is used to form a core board, which is the inner layer. A solid wood lamella, which is the top layer is added to the inner layer. The addition is done in alternate patterns, making the wood stronger and more stable.
This wood fares better in humid conditions compared to hardwood and softwood. The cost of purchasing the timber is dependent on the materials used in constructing the core board. It is easy to install and there are different textures and colors to choose from.
Now that you know the different types of timber flooring, you need to decide on which material will suit your home. You can find a number of flooring experts like Supreme Timber Floor to help you make the best decision based on your needs.
Benefits of Installing Timber Flooring
Installing timber flooring holds a lot of benefits for your home. Some of these benefits are as follows:
1. Durability
A good quality timber floor can last as long as the building itself. You may only need to resurface the floor if necessary. On the contrary, carpet flooring will require replacement after 5 years of installing it, due to stains, wear and tear from daily use, and holes or pores.
2. Easier to Clean
When you install timber flooring, you will not need to worry about stains and dust. It does not retain odors, too. You can simply brush it or vacuum lightly to take care of the dust. And if your kids or pets drag in some mud from the playground, you can simply mop it up with water to make it look good. A neat timber floor gives off an aroma that creates a good vibe in your home.
3. Germ-free
Carpets are home to horrifying parasites and allergens such as dust, fleas, and dust mites. These are very harmful especially for people who already have allergies. Installing a timber floor eliminates the presence of germs and saves you the money you would have spent on health care. It is also a good choice for people who have pets as pet dander can be easily removed from a timber floor.
4. Excellent Investment
You will get good value for your money because timber flooring can last for a long time. Even when you feel like renovating the floor as a result of scratches from heavy use, the cost of repair is not much. You simply need to sand and seal it.
5. Unfading Classy Appeal
The interior of your home is a critical part of your building project. Different types of flooring like carpets, linoleum, tiles, marvel, and granite will go out of fashion. But the beauty of wood is timeless, and it has an unfading classy appearance.
6. Many Choices
A timber floor can have various appearances. You can choose from a wide range of finishes like oil-based polyurethane and natural oil to give the floor an excellent color effect. You can find useful information about timber floor finishes in this article: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/8-hardwood-floor-finishes/
Conclusion
Timber is a natural product and it is not water-resistant. Therefore, when it is wet, it will expand and contract when it becomes dry. So, do not rely on brands that say otherwise. With some research and the help of experts, you can choose wood flooring by Havwoods that will give you true value for your money.
We have discussed the benefits of installing timber flooring in your home. So, why don’t you give your Canberra property an amazing appearance by choosing timber?
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