From Bamboo To Hardwood Flooring: What Type Will Work Best For You?

Flooring has a significant effect on the feel of a room. Despite being underfoot, it covers a wide surface area, and can consequently change the aesthetic of a room depending, for instance, on whether you have dark, exotic-looking hardwood flooring , or something light and breezy. But the decision over what type of floor you should lay isn’t just about the look – it’s also important that your flooring is matched to your lifestyle. Do you have small kids or pets who’ll be running around a lot? Do you get sunlight streaming through your windows and onto the floor? And are you looking to fit a floor in the bathroom or the lounge? All of these factors – and more – will influence which flooring will work best for you. Handsome hardwood flooring Solid hardwood flooring looks beautiful and is hardwearing. It also allows you to match the grain type to your budget, needs and taste – whether for instance you’d like a particular colour, wood type, or knots. Champion Timber flooring comes in varieties of oak and walnut, from an antique dark brown to lighter varieties. You should be careful about where you fit hardwood flooring, as it can be warped or damaged by moisture and underfloor heating. It may also fade if exposed to lots of sunlight, and can get scratched - so it’s perhaps not suitable if you have lively pets. However such marks can easily be sanded and re-finished. Importantly, hardwood flooring can add value to your home, as it’s a timeless aesthetic that people love to see. Long-lasting laminate If you love the look of wood, but believe hardwood flooring will be impractical, you could consider laminate flooring. To the untrained eye, it looks just like the real thing and is much cheaper too. Champion Timber offers a range of beautiful laminate flooring with effects from midnight silver to prairie oak. Laminate is hardy against moisture and incredibly easy to clean. It is suitable for houses with pets or children as it’s not going to get scratched like hardwood might. It can however still get damaged, and sanding won’t do the trick – although small cover-ups are possible, and in some cases you can simply replace the board. Engineered excellence Engineered wood flooring tends to have a veneer over a thin layer of hardwood which helps to make it more robust than many pure hardwoods. It usually comes prefinished, and is really easy to lay. It can be susceptible to damp, however, so while it can look great in many rooms, we’d advise against using it in the bathroom. Depending on your preferences, you can get engineered wood in a wide range of colours, finishes and effects. Whether you want brushed or matt lacquered cognac oak, or oiled rustic oak, Champion Timber has engineered wood flooring to suit everyone. Plus it’s ideal for use with underfloor heating. Brilliant bamboo Finally, bamboo flooring presents homeowners with a natural option that comes from a renewable resource. It’s less susceptible to water damage than hardwood floors and can be very long-lasting. Like hardwood, it can be sanded down if damaged and shouldn’t be put down where it’s at risk of exposure to moisture or on top of underfloor heating. Nevertheless, bamboo always looks fresh and contemporary and is a really attractive choice. Champion Timber has a full range of lacquered bamboo flooring, from our Oxwich coffee strand to our whitewash strand. Taking into consideration your personal tastes, practical implications and your budget, there are many possibilities for your flooring project. Champion Timber can help with all different types of flooring and flooring advice. We also have a range of accessories available, from a handy installation kit, to sealants and primers. Plus, if you order any 25m of timber mouldings from Champion, we’ll give you a complementary 300ml tube of one-4-all premium adhesive. Compatible with most building products, its high-bond strength enables a permanent fixing.

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