There Are Three Main Types Of Hardwood And Softwood Wooden Flooring.

Wood flooring is made using hardwood and softwood

. These are just 3 of them

Laminate

Laminate flooring has fast become one of the most popular forms of flooring sold today.

This is because it is relatively cheap and can be fitted by any competent DIY person. It comes in many colours and effects. The most popular being a wood grain effect that can replicate the look of any type of wood, giving the person the feel that he is standing on real wood. Recently other effects have come onto the market such as a tile effect giving the look of a ceramic tile and is mainly used in bathrooms and kitchens.

Laminate flooring was invented as long back as 1977 by a company called Pergo a Swedish flooring company, but was not marketed until 1984. At first the planks were glued together but then at the end of the 1990s two companies rivalled each other as to the inventor of a glueless laminator. In 1996 by Valinge and in 1997 by 1997 Unilin of Belgium.

Laminate flooring is made up of a number of layers and is made up of synthetic materials. It is made from plywood or MDF centre with a plastic laminate top layer. The advantage of laminate flooring is that while giving the look of hardwood flooring it is considerably cheaper and easily replaced if it becomes damaged. The disadvantage is that it cannot be refinished as hardwood.

Laminate flooring comes packaged in tongue and groove planks that are easily clicked to each each. An underlay is usually fitted under it to protect it from the floor and any particles that might cause the flooring to raise or rub against it. It also protects the flooring from moisture reduces sound. This underlay can be either felt or foam.

A gap is needed between the flooring and the wall to allow for expansion (usually 5mm) This can be covered with the skirting board or beading.

Recently there have been concerns as to the safety of laminate flooring because it is made of melamine resin which is made from formaldehyde which because of toxicity and volatility poses a health hazard to human health.

Bamboo

Bamboo Flooring is made from the Bamboo plant and although called wooden flooring is technically not a wood. Bamboo flooring is environmentally friendly and extremely strong and durable.

Depending where in the world it is used it is prepared for laying in different ways. In Asia they use thin bamboo stems and cut them as flat and thin as they can. Normally they are used as they are but they can be stained or varnished.

In most other parts of the world manufactured bamboo flooring is used. This is made by slicing bamboo poles into strips. They are then boiled in acid to remove the starches and sugars then dried and planed. They are then laminated and each panel is heat pressed, planed and sanded and finally a lacquer is applied.

Cork

Cork flooring is made from the cork from the cork oak tree. This makes it very eco-friendly as the stripping of the bark from the cork oak tree does not damage the tree. Cork flooring comes in strips or tiles. and can be installed with glue or not. Because of its structure it can compress and return to its previous shape.

It is a very sustainable product as there is over 2 million hectares of cork forest mainly in Portugal and Spain and the trees live for as long as 200 years.

When it is laid it creates a very warm feeling to the touch and is ideal for bathrooms and kitchens as it is waterproof.

by: chakra

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