Wood Flooring for the Long Run

There are 3 key questions that responsible homeowners looking at wood (or timber) as a flooring option for the long term should ask themselves:

• Does it look good? (obviously)
• Is the type of wood durable for the long term?
• Is it eco-friendly and sustainable?

The first is self-explanatory and obvious. Certain patterns, types, colours of wood look better than others for a given space and it also boils down to preference. Choosing a type of wood flooring that looks good is a priority for anyone who is serious about it for the long term.  To see the kind of gorgeous flooring we are talking about, visit timber flooring Geelong.

However, the other two questions deserve the same kind of attention. This article aims to help you make an educated decision when choosing wood flooring.

The Importance of Durability

Flooring, like your house itself, can be an investment. The average homeowner is very unlikely to keep changing their flooring like one does with say a vehicle. So, if you are deciding on a flooring, might as well choose a durable one.

One factor that should play a role in your decision making is the “amount of traffic” and the expected wear and tear of the flooring you will choose. While the type of wood you choose is often the deciding factor of durability there are other ways which can help- hard wearing finish or a sealer for example. The golden rule isthat the harder the wood, the longer your floor will last.

If durability is your top priority, then Brazilian Redwood and Walnut should be on the contenders list.

Eco-friendliness and Sustainability

There is no way around it, a wood floor means cutting trees. There is a moral responsibility in all of us to protect our environment. However, there is middle ground when it comes to timber flooring; you can have the floor you want and give back to the environment. If you are wondering what are the options that you have-

• Buy recycled timber. It is by far the most sustainable option and gives you the opportunity to get rare hardwoods that are difficult to buy (although it might be on the pricier side).
  
  
• Look for Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber. These organizations make sure that the timber you receive are not illegally logged or from conservation-value forests.
  

• There are certain types of wood that you should as it is very unlikely that they were logged responsibly. For example, African Mahogany and Burmese teak.
  
  
• There is an up-and-coming demand for bamboo flooring because the harvesting of bamboo is much more sustainable than timber. However, despite being a durable solution to flooring, bamboo flooring is manufactured using a glue that might be toxic to the environment. Be sure to do your own research as well.

In conclusion, you can be a responsible environment-conscious homeowner and have wood flooring for your home at the same time. It really boils down to where you get your wood from and how sustainable it is. If we take care to do the right thing, timber flooring can be around for a long time.