Of all the different types of wood used for flooring and frames, oak remains a favourite and a classic, because of its looks, strength, and relatively reasonable cost. With proper care and maintenance, an oak floor or Laminate Wood Flooring like that you can find at https://irwintiles.ie/index.php/wooden-flooring/laminate-flooring.html will stay looking good for a lifetime. Below we have given some guidance on how to look after your flooring.
Wood flooring popularity on the increase
The market for manufacturing wood flooring is showing steady growth, according to research published on OpenPR.com Apart from the increase in building homes, wooden floors are favoured because they are durable, and can be easily restored.
The natural look of wood, as well as its warmth to the touch, make it a popular choice. Engineered wood floors, where layers of plywood are compressed and then covered in a thin layer of solid wood, are often difficult to tell apart from real, solid wood floors.
Now, thanks to the technologies involved in producing laminate flooring, plastic, waterproof replicas, with authentic finishes and textures, are easy to find online through outlets, allowing high moisture environments like kitchens and bathrooms to benefit from a wood effect floor.
Getting the best from your oak or oak laminate floor
Whatever type of floor you have, it will only last well if it is taken care of in the right way. The advantage of solid oak is that it can be sanded and refinished to restore it to its original look, using waxes and varnish. Engineered oak responds well to the same treatments, except that since it’s a thin top layer fixed to composite planks, too much sanding can damage it. For that reason, it’s best to check which type of flooring you have, before attempting to refinish it. Day-to-day maintenance requires a dry sweep, especially near doorways and entrances, so that any grit walked in from outside doesn’t scratch the floor.
Laminates, while they can’t be sanded, can have minor scratches and dents filled with specialist repair wax. Check with the manufacturer or the retailer where you purchased your flooring from. Often, they’ll be able to recommend a repair kit specifically for the flooring you have. The water resistance of a laminate floor makes it much easier to clean, but again, the manufacturer or your retailer will be able to provide the best advice for the right cleaning products and methods for day-to-day cleaning.
