Solid Wood Flooring



The history of solid wood flooring is pretty interesting and turbulent. First of all, solid wood flooring started as the hottest thing in town, the floor that everyone wanted in their home. However, things have changed and solid wood flooring slowly but surely started detronating from its throne. New, innovative, and better types of wood flooring quickly popped up, including engineered wood, laminate, luxury vinyl that mimics real wood materials to the tiniest detail. However, the truth is that nothing can beat the classic beauty and elegant appearance of solid wood flooring. Therefore, solid wood flooring still has its solid fan base and the fan club of solid wood flooring is growing more and more with every day, more and more people are exploring the benefits and advantages of solid wood flooring. And despite the modern alternatives, solid wood flooring is, for sure, not going to be forgotten anytime soon. It is sturdy, feels substantial and very durable underfoot, and maintains its high value, increasing the value of every property were installed too. Let’s find out more about solid wood flooring in this guide.

What is Solid Wood Flooring?

What is solid wood flooring?
Solid Wood Flooring Explained

In the name of solid wood flooring, the emphasis is definitely on the word “solid”. In fact, solid wood flooring is cut from a single piece of wood. Solid wood flooring is hardwood from top to bottom. However, it can also be made from softwood. Softwood from top the bottom. No matter the hardwood or softwood, the idea is that solid wood flooring is made from a single timber. Solid wood flooring can be made from a lot of different wood species, each one of them has its specific characteristics, functionality, flexibility, and appearance. When it comes to hardwoods or softwoods, the hardness of every wood species is measured by the Janka wood hardness test. Whether a wood species is categorized as hardwood or softwood does not generally describe whether the floor will be hard-wearing, high-quality, and lasting. The main difference between hardwoods and softwoods consists in the natural structure of wood. Softwoods have a more porous structure that is more flexible, while hardwoods have a denser structure. Solid wood flooring is generally made from hardwoods, but they such floors can also be made from softwoods. Both types of solid wood flooring ensure a long-lasting, hard-wearing construction that will last for a long time if you maintain it properly. It is generally easy to maintain and keep in good condition for decades. Therefore, solid wood flooring is the first choice of so many people.

Solid Wood Flooring Installation

Solid wood flooring installation
How to Install Solid Wood Flooring?

At first, when you heard the name of solid wood flooring, you may consider it hard to install. However, this is not the case with solid wood flooring. Although in most cases, the installation will require professional help, it is not because of the fact that solid wood flooring is hard to install, but because of the fact that the subfloor should be perfectly prepared, completely levelled and dry for the solid wood flooring to be sturdy and durable and last for many years. Poor installation may cause you a lot of nerves and a headache. However, solid wood flooring can be installed in different ways, the most popular of them being glueing, nailing, or screwing down the solid wood flooring. Additionally, solid wood flooring can be installed almost anywhere in the house and in different commercial premises and areas. Solid wood flooring is naturally hard-wearing and durable, stress-resistant. Adding to the solid wood flooring a hard-wearing protective finish will make your floor even better at withstanding different issues. However, water and moisture are not the best friends of solid wood flooring. They can make the floorboards contract and expand to such extent that the floorboards may get super damaged and distressed, which can be even beyond repair. Therefore, it is not recommended to have solid wood flooring installed in the bathroom, basement, other below-grade locations, conservatory. When you think of solid wood flooring installed in the kitchen, be aware that there is a higher level of indoor moisture and temperature fluctuations in the kitchen, which can affect the condition of solid wood flooring. Therefore, if you have solid wood flooring installed in the kitchen, always make sure to maintain it in good condition and wipe off spills and splashes as soon as you notice them prevent moisture damage and permanent stains.

Solid Wood Flooring and Sanding

Solid wood flooring and sanding
What Is Sanding of Solid Wood Flooring?

Solid wood flooring comes with one very essential advantage over other types of flooring – it can be sanded. It is one of the major selling points when it comes to people choosing solid wood flooring. In fact, sanding is very beneficial and important. It can be performed up to four or five times in the lifetime of a solid wood floor, depending on the thickness. Sanding is the process of stripping down the old top layer of finish and a bit of the top layer of the floor if needed. Along with the old finish, sanding allows you to get rid of all imperfections on the surface of the floor, along with scratches, marks, dents, stains, dirt build-ups, and, of course, the worn and fading finish. Therefore, solid wood floor sanding not only can improve the appearance of the floor but also its condition by removing all imperfections that hide the risk of growing bigger and into more serious problems that are hard and expensive to repair. Wood floor sanding can help you enjoy a floor that looks like brand-new even after long years of everyday use and high traffic. Wood floor sanding can also help you enjoy your favourite floor for up to a whole century because real wood floors are designed to survive exactly that long when maintained properly and cleaned regularly. Thankfully, solid wood floor maintenance does not take too much and you don’t have to invest too much time, energy, and money in it. When it comes to sanding, make sure to hire professionals to do it for you if you want the best results.

What is solid wood flooring?
Solid wood flooring installation
Solid wood flooring and sanding