As it seems, literally everyone on this planet is going for the wood flooring! You could be watching an interview on YouTube or scrolling through the pictures of your favourite Instagram influencer, you’ll always find the sun-kissed gleam of wood floor installation in the background of their rich and elegant interior.

So, what's the secret behind this endless popularity of wood flooring? Zoom through the history of architecture and interior designing and you’ll always find wood floor installation throwing in some gleam of fashion anywhere and everywhere! They’re so popular that, in fact, if not wooden flooring we know you own at least one piece of interior which is made of wood. It could be an artefact, home décor or a piece of furniture but we all have a special place for wood in our instant environment.

But just in case you don’t, you’re seriously lagging behind my friend! Nothing can compare to nature, neither in terms of looks nor in the benefits! If you're looking for a wooden floor company, a trusted flooring shop, look no further! Wittswood has decades of experience and expertise when it comes to wood floor installation!

On that note, let’s try to count the main benefits of hardwood to decode why it’s always in demand! I said ‘try’ because...well, there are endless reasons but we would love to try!

Let’s start with durability, shall we? It's not uncommon for centuries-old homes to have the original wood floors. Therefore, it’s safe to say that with proper care, wooden floors can outlive almost any other flooring material. In other words, you can expect your tenth generation in the future to paddle over the same hardwood floor are you are right now. Moreover, they’re the David Beckham among the flooring materials since they always make a style statement. In fact, when the cost of vinyl flooring and carpeting fell, wooden floors were reserved for high-end applications. And why not? Their fine-grained texture always brings a sense of richness and nobility to the room. Not to forget they’re way easier to clean (low maintenance, yay!) and go along with any theme, any home décor. Its natural mellow hues compliment every theme and style and bring a sense of calmness to the room.

Moreover, health benefits from the floor?! Sounds like a wonder but it's true! As compared to any other flooring, hardwood provides better air quality in the house since it doesn't detain dust, hair, pollen, pet dander and other common allergens. Therefore, your floor can be a great friend to anyone who has allergies or asthma.

If that's not enough, did you know your simple flooring decision can become a great investment? If you're planning to shift somewhere else in future (or not), you must assuredly get the wooden floors installed since it adds to house value. It not only gives your house a warmer, stylish aesthetic but also attracts more buyers at a better price for all its perks.

So, there you have it! Now that you know some basic benefits of the hardwood floor, you must check out Wittswood's hardwood flooring service which offers a wide variety of hardwood and its different styles – 100% Solid Wood!

Moving on, if hardwood is so perfect then why do people go for any other option at all? Is there any downside to hardwood flooring?
Like everything to ever exist, yes, the wooden flooring has its downside too!

None of us like cold floors and hardwood can be cold to our feet during winters. Not as freezing as the stone surface but they’re less friendly to the feet on a cold winter morning as compared to a carpet. Moreover, for the endless benefits that hardwood flooring offers, it can be rather expensive.

Hardwood is a natural material and hardwood trees can take as long as a hundred years to fully mature. It’s the time taking growth that allows the hardwood to form its beautiful grains that we cherish in our flooring. Therefore, perhaps its biggest downside is the lack of balance between its growth and demand.

What are the Alternatives?

As consumers, we always want all the benefits and no downside! And why not? We’re the ones who pay so we deserve the best options!
We’ve got you covered and here are your best options! Your Alternatives to Hardwood with all their merits and demits!

• Traditional tongue-and-groove flooring is a fun puzzle in the flooring world where each plank has a tongue and a groove joint that is engineered to interlock with each other. On the plus side, its fit is natural and strong and doesn’t require a lot of nails or glue in its installation as compared to other options. A bonus is that it’s also water-repellent if treated with a proper coating. You’ll find a great variety of wood options if you go for tongue-and-groove joint flooring and if your house is structured in joists, then this is one of the only few options which would fit your floor. On the downside, however, this option is comparatively expensive and its installation can be time-consuming. It often requires periodic refinishing as well.

• Laminate is made of wood resins and looks exactly like hardwood! It’s highly inexpensive yet durable which makes it a convenient alternative. You’ll find a wide array of colours and finishes as well. It’s one of the best options for a quick and easy installation; not to forget it’s water-resistant and shields against regular wear and tear. You won’t have to worry about the maintenance either since Laminates are easy to clean. Contrarily, however, Laminate doesn’t radiate the natural and “real” aesthetic of wood.

• Bamboo Hardwood is another inexpensive and eco-friendly flooring option that is relatively durable yet stylish. Bamboo hardwood is easy to install, can be refinished easily and available in great variety! On the downside, it's comparatively prone to scratches and water damages. Furthermore, while bamboos are eco-friendly, they’re often introduced to chemicals to transform them into planks. Due to this, over time, bamboo can emit toxic gases which are harmful to your home environment.

• Cork Installation is yet another inexpensive and eco-friendly option for your floor which is not only easy to install but can also be refinished easily. While it gives you the pleasure of a soft and lustrous surface, it also acts as a natural insulator. However, it is comparatively more vulnerable to damages, its colour can fade under the sunlight and perhaps the biggest downside is that it absorbs water.

• Plywood Plank is also an affordable option that is not just easy to install but is also water-resistant. Moreover, you will find various textured plywood in the market! But in the long run, plywood loses its strength and may not be the best for excessive foot traffic. And while it’s an affordable option, it can decrease the value of the property.

We know what you might be thinking! Is there any perfect option that has no demerits at all? Of course, there is!

The thing is, every house radiates a different environment. Do you have kids? Do you have four-legged kids? Is excessive foot traffic common in your house? What are your preferences? What is your budget? Does your budget align with your preferences?

The questions are endless! But the answers to these very questions formulate the right and the perfect flooring option for your house. We have a wood type and a style for any and every situation! Whether you like a striking contemporary look or you prefer a cosy rustic look, there's always a wooden flooring option just for you!

In other words, we all like to gawk at splendid interior ideas but what just a handful of us may know is that it’s never the expensive furniture or electronics which make your house truly splendid but rather the smart choices by the designer. Therefore, no matter what your lifestyle is, what your preferences are and what your budget might be, you are going to get that sumptuous and refined look by just formulating a smart flooring choice for yourself!

How you’re going to do that? Well, what are we here for? Wittswood has decades of experience in the timber industry and we take pride in our knowledge and expertise about everything timber! Visit our e-store and browse through the rich variety of Hardwood Products - 100% Solid Wood!

Whether you’re still deciding or have already prepared a detailed blueprint, whatever stage you’re at, whatever is your pace, if you need any assistance regarding the timber, its types and its style, no matter how unique and uncommon it may be, you can always give us a call at 01205 722700 and we’d be more than delighted to assist you!