Natural and Beneficial Ways to Improve a Floor’s Appearance

Homeowners look for wood flooring that is pleasing to the eye and easy to maintain. As long as it looks nice and the surface is smooth, many do not notice words like engineered, laminate or solid. Each one of these wood types portray not only the way that wood flooring is manufactured, but also the material used. Natural stone is also an element of nature and often overlooked when remodeling a bath. If you are looking for a natural feel that rises above synthetic products, here are a few things to remember.

The Difference between Solid Wood Flooring and Engineered Flooring

Solid wood flooring is just as the name implies, solid wood. There are no plastics or artificial colours added to mimic the look of real wood. Cut into tongue and groove planks, there is no comparison to engineering flooring. Engineered wood flooring has a seamless appearance because it is made up of thin sheets of wood that have been laminated together. The appearance is so perfect that one has to realise that this wood has been altered from its natural state. Solid wood flooring of Cork will reveal cracks where the board meet when the weather changes because real wood expands and contracts due to heat and cold.

Prepping for Installation

Wooden floors of Cork cannot be placed over any type of surface due to the sensitivity of moisture. It is recommended that a wood sub floor be installed to help prevent dampness from coming into direct contact with the wood. Engineered planks, on the other hand, have been stabilised with a cross-ply manufacturing technique that prevents the elements from having a negative effect. This type of processed wood can be used on concrete, sub floors or floated on existing surfaces. While solid wood floors must be nailed down, due to the thickness, engineered wood can be nailed, stapled or glued into place.

Natural Stone Versus Synthetic Tiles

Vinyl tile may be an improvement over what is currently on the bathroom floor, but after daily wear and tear, the true facts begin to come out. Vinyl is not designed to be used in damp areas where the adhesive can begin to deteriorate and become loose. Bathroom tiles of cork are made of all natural stone. Porcelain, ceramic and marble come from the bowels of the earth and are forever. The look is undeniable with a solid and stately appearance of a rich and natural tone. When professionally installed, natural stone tiles will hold up to moisture, dirt, and cleaning products. The price of tiles in Cork are significantly higher than those of a synthetic nature, but the protection provided is well worth the price.

In a day and age of plastic and synthetic look alike products, there will never be an exact replacement for what the earth has given us. The difference is almost inspirational in the quality and depth of our natural resources. At Cork Tile and Wood Flooring, all types of materials can be found, but the real difference will be shown and explained. Deciding to go green is a growing process and one that needs to be understood in order to know what to look for. Start with being able to see the tangible difference in flooring materials and soon, everything will become crystal clear in natural versus synthetic supplies. The examples of solid wood flooring at Cork and bathroom tiles of Cork will give you an education that can easily be related to other products around you.

Article by Lauren Williamson