Becoming flooring is an exhilarating a part of any renovation or new construct undertaking. When choosing a sturdy flooring resolution, wooden, identified for its unbelievable power, is a first-rate candidate. Nevertheless, for those who’re contemplating actual wooden flooring, it’s essential to know its drawbacks. At Wooden and Past, with over 15 years of expertise in promoting actual wooden flooring each on-line and in-store, we’re uniquely certified to stipulate these disadvantages. Our purpose isn’t to discourage you from selecting this selection, however to make sure you’re absolutely knowledgeable concerning the potential downsides of actual wooden flooring.
Disadvantages Of Actual Wooden Flooring
Excessive Worth
The obvious concern is the price of actual wooden flooring. Strong wooden flooring, made completely of wooden, begins at round £50/m². Engineered wooden flooring, which mixes an actual wooden prime layer with ply and MDF layers, begins at £30/m². In comparison with wooden ‘impact’ choices like laminate (beginning at £10/m²) and luxurious vinyl (from £20/m²), actual wooden flooring is considerably costlier. The value distinction is substantial, with actual wooden being as much as 5 occasions costlier than laminate, but each can look related as soon as put in.
Poor Water Resistance
Pure wooden is very porous, that means it readily absorbs moisture. This high quality renders actual wooden flooring unsuitable for moist areas like bogs. Extended publicity to moisture can irreparably harm the wooden, inflicting warping. Though occasional spills will be managed if wiped away promptly, constant moisture publicity is problematic. In distinction, wood-effect choices like luxurious vinyl flooring with an SPC inflexible core can stand up to average moist circumstances with out harm.
Rigidity Underfoot
Actual wooden flooring will not be the only option for those who’re searching for a ground with a cushioning impact. Its inherent rigidity is noticeable when strolling. Whereas a high quality underlay can mitigate this to some extent, it provides to the general price. Alternate options like laminate and luxurious vinyl flooring with PVC or WPC cores provide a softer really feel underfoot.
Excessive Repairs
Usually coated in oil, lacquer, or wax, actual wooden flooring requires refinishing over time because the coating wears off. This upkeep can vary from easy top-ups to extra intensive sanding and refinishing, usually necessitating skilled providers and extra prices. Whereas this course of is comparatively rare (each 3 to five years), different flooring choices don’t require such upkeep.
Pricey Set up Required
Set up of most actual wooden flooring includes nailing or gluing, which isn’t excellent for DIY. The load of stable wooden floorboards particularly complicates set up. Skilled becoming is mostly required, rising the overall price in comparison with DIY-friendly choices like click-fit programs.
Underfloor Heating Incompatibility
Actual wooden’s pure composition makes it delicate to temperature adjustments, resulting in potential warping or cracking when uncovered to the constant warmth from underfloor heating. This problem significantly impacts stable wooden flooring because of its thicker, much less adaptable construction. Engineered wooden, whereas barely extra tolerant, nonetheless carries dangers and requires cautious consideration and particular underfloor heating programs. In distinction, flooring choices like laminate or luxurious vinyl are sometimes higher suited to use with underfloor heating, providing higher stability and resistance to heat-induced adjustments.
Ought to You Keep away from Actual Wooden Flooring?
Not essentially. This information goals to tell you about actual wooden flooring’s disadvantages. If these drawbacks are usually not related to your undertaking, actual wooden flooring stays a extremely engaging and purposeful possibility, providing a considerably longer lifespan than laminate and luxurious vinyl flooring. Choosing engineered wooden flooring can minimise these disadvantages. It features a actual wooden prime layer, mirroring the looks of stable wooden, however its core and backing layers of ply and MDF make it extra versatile, even appropriate for damp areas and providing options like click-fit mechanisms, which stable wooden lacks.
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FAQ
Why is Actual Wooden Flooring Thought of Costly?
Actual wooden flooring, particularly stable wooden varieties, is pricier in comparison with alternate options like laminate and luxurious vinyl. Strong wooden begins at about £50/m², and engineered wooden begins from £30/m². This price is considerably greater in comparison with laminate (beginning at £10/m²) and luxurious vinyl (from £20/m²), making actual wooden as much as 5 occasions extra pricey.
Can Actual Wooden Flooring Stand up to Moist Environments?
Actual wooden flooring isn’t excellent for damp environments because of its excessive porosity, which ends up in moisture absorption. This will trigger harm, comparable to warping, in moist areas like bogs. Nevertheless, occasional spills are manageable if wiped away rapidly.
Is Actual Wooden Flooring Snug Underfoot?
Actual wooden flooring is inherently inflexible, which could not be snug for these searching for a cushioning impact underfoot. Whereas this rigidity will be considerably alleviated with a high quality underlay, it will increase the general price.
What Type of Upkeep Does Actual Wooden Flooring Require?
Actual wooden flooring wants refinishing periodically because the protecting coating of oil, lacquer, or wax diminishes over time. This upkeep, starting from easy top-ups to skilled sanding and refinishing, is usually required each 3 to five years.
Does Actual Wooden Flooring Set up Require Skilled Assist?
Sure, putting in actual wooden flooring normally requires skilled experience, particularly for nailing or gluing strategies. The load of stable wooden floorboards makes them much less suited to DIY set up in comparison with alternate options with click-fit programs.