If you are considering installing wood flooring as part of your interior design project, you are not alone. Your interior design professional will likely have explained that wood flooring is one of only a handful of flooring types that can create warmth, give a natural look and match almost any design taste. Your interior design team can recommend the most suitable type of wood flooring; there are many wood species to choose from and even more finishes available. This article is intended to outline some of the most popular options, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Flooring systems explained:

Most London-based interior design consultancies tend to focus on two types of wood flooring. “Solid wood flooring systems” are sometimes referred to as “real wood” floors. By contrast, “engineered flooring systems” are sometimes known as “semi-real wood” floors. The two flooring systems can look very similar (maybe even identical) but in reality the materials involved are very different.

Wood flooring materials explained:

Solid floors are made from 100% real wood which gives them extra strength, ideal if your interior designer plans to install a heavy grand piano or weighty appliances. By contrast, engineered floors are made from a combination of wood, plywood and hardwood veneer which means that - unlike 100% real wood - they will not react as much to temperature changes. London interior designers often suggest engineered floors for cellars and basements, where temperature control can be challenging and real wood would shrink or expand.

Wood species types explained:

Local interior designers can normally source a wide variety of wood species from speciality stores and warehouses across London and the home counties. Wood species range from the very ordinary to the very exotic - and of course each comes with its own price tag! If your interior designer is seeking a classic look, they may suggest oak and walnut, which are traditional choices in many English homes. These species are popular because of their prices, availability and the attractive grain markings which your interior design professional may make a centrepiece of your design scheme.

Wood flooring coatings explained:

Whether your interior design team have chosen to fit oak or walnut, whether as part of a real or an engineered flooring system, all floors require a top coating layer for protection and to guarantee extended durability. Wood flooring can last for 25 years or longer provided the right coating is used and assuming the floor receives regular cleansing and reconditioning. The most common coats are oiled, brushed and of course combination oiled-and-brushed. Your interior designer will recommend a suitable coating not only to give the floor that fantastic look that you crave, but also to protect it from minor scuffs by creating a robust seal. If your home is outside London and features many skylights, your interior design professional may recommend a more practical UV lacquer coating which is designed to protect against direct sunlight for long periods. Other dedicated coatings are also available - ask your interior designer for more information.

Ethical and environmental issues:

Any responsible interior design consultancy will encourage you to choose wood species that are not endangered and from sellers who source their woods from sustainable forests. Most manufacturers will provide an ethical statement explaining how the wood is sourced and what processes are used in their manufacturing facilities.

by Michelle Strassburg, co-founder at wood flooring supplier Wood and Beyond