Timber Flooring: Your Questions Answered

JMC Floor Coverings Ltd. provides clients with an extensive range of beautiful timber floors. For decades we have installed these types of floors in all types of properties. While these floors are suitable for all kinds of commercial properties, they are an investment. As such, people have many questions before they have the floor installed. For the convenience of clients, we have compiled some of the most common questions below.

What is timber flooring?

Timber flooring refers to a type of flooring material made from solid pieces of wood, such as hardwoods (e.g. oak, maple, cherry) or softwoods (e.g. pine, fir). The wood planks are cut to size, sanded smooth, and finished with a clear coat or stain to protect the surface and enhance the natural beauty of the wood grain. Timber flooring can be installed in various patterns and styles, such as parallel or diagonal, and is a popular choice for residential and commercial spaces due to its durability, warmth, and aesthetic appeal.

How thick is timber flooring?

The thickness of timber flooring can vary depending on the species of wood used, the manufacturing process, and the intended use of the flooring. In general, the standard thickness of solid hardwood flooring ranges from 3/4 inch (19mm) to 5/16 inch (8mm). Engineered timber flooring, which consists of a thin layer of hardwood on top of a core made from plywood or other materials, is typically thinner and ranges from 1/4 inch (6mm) to 3/8 inch (9mm). Some engineered flooring products can be as thin as 2mm. The thickness of the flooring will affect its stability and durability, as well as the height of the floor, so it's essential to choose the correct thickness based on the specific requirements of your project.

What is engineered timber flooring?

Engineered timber flooring is a type of wood flooring that consists of a thin layer of hardwood (such as oak, maple, or cherry) on top of a core made from multiple layers of plywood or other materials, such as high-density fiberboard (HDF) or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). The core layers are cross-stacked, glued, and pressed together, making the flooring more stable and less likely to expand, contract, or warp over time compared to solid hardwood flooring.

Engineered timber flooring is often less expensive than solid hardwood flooring, and it can be more versatile in terms of installation, as it can be glued down, floated (installed as a floating floor), or even stapled or nailed down, depending on the product. Engineered flooring is also available in wider widths, lengths, and finishes than solid hardwood, making it a popular choice for homeowners, builders, and designers.

Overall, engineered timber flooring offers many of the same aesthetic benefits of solid hardwood flooring, with added stability, versatility, and affordability, making it a popular choice for many flooring projects.

How to install timber flooring?

The process of installing timber flooring depends on the type of flooring you have chosen (solid or engineered) and the type of subfloor you are installing the flooring over (concrete or timber). Installing a floor is a complex process that requires professionals.

Do you have any more enquiries on timber floors? Then please get in touch with us directly, and we can recommend the correct type of floor for your budget and requirements.