WFamily homes have a delicate eco-system. In order for them to thrive, the dynamic of every room has to be positive and perfectly balanced. Whether you have little ones on the way, or they’re already running around causing mischief, your home interior needs to be adapted to manage the hustle-and-bustle of family life. Alongside child-proofing furniture and redecorating, many homeowners will upgrade their flooring, looking for something that boasts durability without compromising on character.
Wood flooring is widely regarded as one of the best choices for family homes. It’s long-lasting, sturdy, and resistant against heavy footfall. But even if you already have your heart set on wood flooring, there are still a number of additional decisions you will need to make before you can begin installation. Whilst style, board width, and species are all predominantly cosmetic choices, the finish applied to your board’s surface can drastically alter the performance of your flooring.
With a myriad of options on the market, choosing the right finish can feel almost impossible, especially if you’re shopping with family in mind. If you’re new to the world of wood flooring, chances are you need a helping hand. Finding a finish that is suitable for your home is an important task, so it’s natural that you may be feeling the pressure to get it right first time around.
Thankfully, we’re here to help. With our quick and easy guide, you’re sure to get the best possible results, and avoid any unnecessary pitfalls in the process. Here are our top tips for choosing your finish:
Hand Scraped
Hand scraped boards have been sculpted to create variations in the height of the surface. Whilst many homeowners select the hand scraped finish for its rustic charm, the added depth and texture has an additional utilitarian purpose. Because the surface is not flawlessly smooth, light is reflected at multiple angles. Consequently, any damages that have been sustained on the surface will go easily unnoticed. This is perfect for those with children who are prone to accidents, or pets who are always causing trouble. You can rest assured that any mistakes won’t ruin the look of your flooring, saving you money on maintenance costs.
Lacquered
Lacquered wood flooring has been coated with a sealant for added sheen and protection. During the manufacturing process, each board can be applied with up to 7 layers of lacquer, promising an attractive appearance and enhanced wear resistance to match. Similarly to hand scraped flooring, lacquered wood proves low maintenance in the face of busy family life. The addition of a shiny coating protects the grain underneath, preventing moisture from being absorbed into the wood. This is a great defence against inevitable splashes and spills, and allows any mess to be quickly and efficiently rectified.
White Washed
To achieve this finish, each board is bathed in a gorgeous white stain, taking on a chic and Scandinavian appearance. Whilst at first it may be difficult to see how family homes can benefit from a lighter shade of wood, they can actually reduce the appearance of clutter. Many parents will agree that children take up a lot of space. Whether it’s toys, clothes, or sanitary products, chances are you’ve got a wide selection of additional items around the house. White washed boards create the illusion of space by preventing the absorption of light. This can open up your room. As a result, mess will have less visual impact, pacifying the need for cleaning.
Oiled
One of the biggest advantages of wood flooring is its ability to be sanded and refinished multiple times. Whilst this is the case regardless of your choice of finish, some finishes can make this process more labour intensive and costly. This, however, is not the case with oiled boards. The oil is absorbed into the grain, strengthening the wood from the inside. Not only does this improve the strength and longevity of the wood, it also allows damages to be sanded away locally. This is ideal for those minor scuffs and scratches that can appear under the feet of busy family members!