Many wooden floor trends ebb and flow with the style and taste of the time. One example that springs to mind is parquet block flooring, which seemed to be all but dead and buried no more than a decade ago, but is now enjoying a dramatic resurgence in homes across the UK.
However, while many wooden floor trends come and go, there are some that stand the test of time. In this article, we’re going to take a look at 4 timeless wooden floor trends and explore their implications for your home.
Herringbone and chevron patterns
Herringbone and chevron patterned wooden floors have long been a feature in UK homes and they continue to be a stalwart of the flooring industry in 2017.
Compared to the old style of herringbone floors, they can now be produced in a more efficient and effective way using larger blocks that are referred to as ‘oversize’. They produce a cleaner, more contemporary look but still have the traditional appeal of some of the wood floors of old. They are generally laid without a border these days and are fully bonded to the subfloor using a flexible adhesive that gives a solid feel underfoot. Although they tend to cost a little more, these floors create a striking effect.
Dark hardwood floors
Very dark hardwood floors have never really been out of fashion, but they are very much ‘in’ right now. Many homeowners are looking to go darker and darker, with 50/50 blends of ebony and Jacobean, or ebony and dark walnut, becoming increasingly timeless options.
Due to this increased demand for darker hardwood floors, Duraseal even introduced a new stain colour last year called True Black, which is even darker than ebony and more opaque. As a word of warning for anyone planning to embrace dark hardwood floors themselves, they do tend to show every bit of dirt or dust, which does can make them a challenge to maintain.
Oiled wood floors
Oiled floors aren’t necessarily an age-old trend, but they have been consistently popular since floor oils appeared on the scene. Floor oils penetrate into the wood to give the floor a unique patina and texture which is more natural looking and duller than you’d get from a finish or a stain. The oil also makes the floor stronger and ages with the wood while making the patina grow stronger.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of oiled wood floors is the fact that they are so easy to repair. When the floor becomes scratched, rather than having to sand and refinish it, you can simply repair the damage by applying more oil. The disadvantage of oiled wood floors is that they are more difficult to maintain as they need to be treated with more oil over time. They also do not have the moisture protection they would if a polyurethane finish had been used.
Floorboards of varying widths
Over the last couple of years, there has been an increase in the use of floorboards of varying widths for hardwood floors. Historically, floorboards were cut to varying widths to utilise the trees in the most efficient way and this can create a more authentic look.
Although this is a popular practice at the moment, multiple width floorboards can date your house over time. While the colour of hardwood floors can easily be changed with a new stain or finish, the width and pattern of your floorboards are permanent, so think carefully if this is a style you’re considering.
Oak – the ultimate timeless wooden floor trend
There’s nothing as timeless as the natural beauty and elegance of a solid oak wood floor. We also produce a range of engineered oak flooring options which have the appearance, sturdiness and longevity of a solid oak floor, but also boast additional stability and practicality. To find out more, please get in touch with our team.
