11 ENDURING TRUTHS FOR SUCCESSFUL WOOD FLOOR PROJECTS
1. NATURE NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE
We might obsess with colour, pantones or otherwise, but natural wood tones never go out of style. Admire what nature has provided in its simplest form. Carefully select the ideal wood and treat it lovingly with a natural feel finish.
2. DO IT ONCE, DO IT WELL
Cutting corners can often lead to the vision of a project being undone. Buying the lower specification often means that you get a lot less floor for a comparatively small discount. Do it to last forever and you will never be disappointed.
3. ICONS ENDURE
Parquet de Versailles, Chevron and Herringbone floors have been used for centuries. If you invest in these floors, they will stand the test of time in every respect.
4. IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
Detail, detail, it’s all in the detail. Laying directions, board sizes, edges, thresholds. Use the experience of our specification consultants too, as there are many options you may not have considered. Get these details right and your floor will sing…
5. LOOK BENEATH THE SURFACE
Wood farmed from a managed woodland has a fantastic impact on our industry and our environment as it helps to achieve carbon neutrality. Look for FSCTM and PEFC certification and don’t forget that a company being FSCTM certified does not mean that your floor is. This just gives them the right but not the obligation to supply certified material, so be sure to check each floor individually for certification details – even within Europe, wood without the correct certification can be illegally harvested.
6. STATEMENT FLOORS CAN MAKE A ROOM
Don’t underestimate the impact a floor can have on a space. It can define it. So, let a statement floor do the heavy lifting, let it represent your room.
7. DON’T FORGET TO DOUBT
Don’t be fooled by the promises that wood effect floors such as laminate, ceramics and LVT make. They all claim the same hollow benefits; “simple to maintain, better than the real thing, environmentally responsible, easy to recycle”. All tend to be cheaper, but in terms of appearance, durability and versatility they don’t come close to a real wood floor.
8. INVEST IN ANTIQUE
A genuine antique floor is almost impossible to match. These floors add something magical to any project. The soul they bring, the charm they exude and the stories they tell. Even using a small amount can make a big difference.
9. DRESS THE PART
All floors should have an appropriate handover coat. Whether it’s a quick coat of intensive polish or a buff coat of oil. Giving your floor that final bit of attention once it’s been installed dresses it for the part and makes it look that little bit more special.
10. A LITTLE PATINA GOES A LONG WAY
Don’t be afraid of potential traffic. A little wear and tear never hurt anybody, and can in fact, be beneficial. So let your floors age naturally and you’ll never look back.
11. DON’T FORGET TO CARE
Care for your floor and it will care for you. It’s not a great chore to mop a floor with the correct cleaner or even to apply a coat of oil or polish very occasionally. Caring for your floor will keep it looking great for years to come.