Timber still tops

Hard flooring continues to flourish in popularity, in particular, timber and timber-look alternatives such as laminate. Nowadays, these products are well designed and constructed, and available in many tones and species, says Siobhan MacLeod from Flooring Xtra. More homeowners are choosing to lay timber or laminate throughout the entirety of their homes to create a seamless, modern effect, she says.

Nordic style oaks – think beachy blonde or beige oak – continue to be popular. Siobhan believes the soft tones, light reflecting qualities and ability to complement many different design styles are the reasons. In contrast, she notes a growing movement toward dark, cool-toned timbers such as walnut, charred wood and black oak which add drama to a room and can give an iconic 1970s look but with a contemporary twist.

Parquet or patterned wood flooring and wide planks continue to grow in popularity, says Gratton McCallum from Forte, with herringbone and chevron patterns creating a bespoke element to an interior.

A global call for more sustainable products, coupled with rapid growth in the demand for the raw materials, had suppliers looking for a more sustainable alternative to native and imported solid timber, says Gratton. Engineered flooring has therefore become a favourable option as it uses less than a third of slow-growing hardwood than solid timber flooring and more sustainable fast-growing softwood. It’s also more durable and stable, making it less prone to warping and movement than solid timber, he says.

In recent years, the technology around lacquer products has evolved, says Gratton, and it is now possible to apply around seven layers of coating to the timber while retaining a matte finish that is extremely durable. Low VOC water-based polyurethanes are used, which give the look of natural oil but with better water resistance.