This document discusses different types of timber flooring, including solid wood, reclaimed timber, multi-layered or engineered wood, vinyl, and laminate flooring. It provides details on the construction and characteristics of each type. Advantages include durability, ease of installation, and longevity. Disadvantages include potential noise, inability to repair damage via sanding, and imperfections in reclaimed timber. A range of costs for different flooring options is also presented.

1. FLOOR FINISHES - TIMBER
LAMINATE FLOORING

2. TYPES OF TIMBER FLOORING
Solid wood
 Made from the named timbers, planks are solid all the way
through
 Some types are suitable for installation as the structural
floor, without needing a sub-floor underneath.
Reclaimed timber
 bundles of planks, boards or panels from reclamation and
salvage yards, or as whole floors
 look very uninspiring. However, once it's laid, it can look
incredible.

3. Multi-layered or engineered wood
 consists of a plywood or veneered base
 built up with several layers of criss-crossed hard or
softwood boards
 The construction of this flooring gives it strength and
stability - good alternative to solid-wood flooring.
Vinyl
 widely available in timber patterns
 Luxury sheet vinyl can be a good choice in the kitchen or
bathroom, and is considerably cheaper than solid wood
 Vinyl plank or block flooring feels harder underfoot, but, as
each floor is individually designed
 needs to be professionally laid.

4. Laminate flooring
 Made by producing an image of wood on a layer of plastic
which is laminated to a board backing
 have convincing textured finishes
 hardwearing and tough.
 Inexpensive DIY store versions may look flat and lifeless,
and the "wood"
 finish may flake or chip at the edges of the boards.

5. SUITABILITY COST
 right note in any style of home
 looks natural, warm and rustic
 add texture and create an organic feel
 both modern and period homes
 Different textures, colours, grains, plank
sizes
 practicality and durability of flooring
technology
 Reasonably priced/cheap
 more expensive than carpet, vinyl and
concrete
 Price (av cost per sq ft)
-laminate wood ( $ 8 - $ 10)
-wall to wall carpet ($ 3.38 - $ 6.61)
-ceramic tile ($ 11 - $ 22)
-vinyl ($ 2.64 - $ 5.34 )
-natural stone- slate marble ($ 20 - $
50+)
-polished concrete ( $ 2- $ 8)

6. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 tough, long-lasting finishes and are
straightforward
 easy to install and providing a gap-free
finish
 can be laid over practically any sub-
floor, including floorboards, concrete,
old tiles or a boarded surface, as long
as the surface is sound, dry and flat
 good longevity - hard-wearing, scratch
resistant and will last for many years.
 flooring is easy to clean; regular
sweeping and mopping
 will not be neatly cut to size and
difficult to judge what it will look like
once it's been finished
 Timber flooring can be noisy, especially
in upstairs rooms; (use rugs to deaden
the sound of footsteps)
 needs to avoid rooms with water, as
seepage between the joins can cause
planks to swell or discolour.
 A serious damage - scratch or dent in a
usually means whole floor needs to be
redone
 cannot be sanded when chipped,
damaged or scratched