7 Unbelievable Facts About Timber Floors That Homeowners Getting Timber Flooring in Sydney Need to Know
Timber floors are known to transform standard houses into warm homes. Be it Jarrah, Spotted Gum, or Black Butt – each species of hardwood timber, irrespective of its color, has unique characteristics and appearances that can’t be found in other sources. This exclusivity of high-quality timber floors attracts thousands of homeowners every year. Installing high-quality timber flooring is also a practical decision for homeowners. Timber floors are tougher, more durable, healthier, and easier to clean than most flooring products. You can find the best ranges at a reliable London Flooring Store near you.
A large proportion of all the timber used in the world is within the construction industry. From internal paneling to hardwoods for flush doors – timber is extremely common in modern-day construction projects. It’s so common that it’s very unlikely that you’ll ever own a home and not use a considerable quantity of timber. So, if you’re one of the many property owners who are considering the idea of installing high-quality timber flooring in Sydney, here are some amazing facts about timber floors and timber in general that you should know –
- Long-Lasting:-
A high-quality timber floor can easily last for 100+ years. At the end of life, high-quality timber flooring can always be repurposed. In this aspect, hardwood flooring is far superior to carpet floors. The average lifecycle of a carpeted floor is only 10 to 15 years.
- Ancient Egyptian Connection:-
The use of timber as a building material is ubiquitous throughout history. In 2500 BC, the ancient Egyptians were producing timber furniture items, sculptures, and coffins. By 700 BC, elaborate wooden couches and beds made of timer were being produced in the Greek empire. In Medieval times, there was more diversity in the utilization of timber. Timber-framed houses, boats, musical instruments, longbows, crossbows, and other weapons and tools were extremely common during this period.
- Ultimate Resistance:-
As long as you can keep fire, fungal or insect attacks away from your timber floors, you can expect these structures to survive and thrive for incredibly long periods. This natural organic material can only be damaged by biological threats like fungi and pests only if they’re given the right conditions to thrive (moisture, lack of maintenance, etc.). Cases of well-preserved timber structures go back 2000 years and can still be seen in ancient Egyptian tombs!
This historic track record of resistance is one of the main reasons why timber flooring in Sydney is so popular to this day. People building new houses or renovating their old homes want their flooring structures to last for decades. Having a flooring structure that’s super-resistant also helps increase property valuations. The ultimate resistance of timber makes the installation of timber floors easier as well. Read – Factors that favor the installation of timber flooring in Sydney to learn more about what makes timber ideal for flooring structures.
- Unique Relationship with Sunlight:-
When exposed to sunlight, the colors of most timber floors lighten. Floors made of Mahogany, Afrormosia, or Oak will lighten if they’re exposed to sunlight. However, some timbers like Rhodesian teak darken when they’re exposed to sunlight. Either way, over-exposure to sunlight is never good for timber floors.
Indoors, sunlight acts slowly, and the process of discoloration could take several years or even decades. Outdoors, timber floors change their colors very rapidly. In some cases, timber floors can change their colors in a matter of months. This is the first stage of “weathering”. The smartest way to prevent weathering is to seek professional assistance while maintaining your timber flooring in Sydney. Adding timber flooring finishes to your timber floors, for example, is a great way of delaying the effects of weathering.
- Chemical Resistance:-
Timber has always been regarded as one of the most highly resistant materials to a large variety of chemicals. It is still used to create different types of tanks and containers that store abrasive chemicals. Timber is much more superior to steel and cast iron when it comes to resistance to mild acids. In the past, timber was even used to create separators in lead-acid batteries! High-quality timber flooring that we find in modern-day homes benefits from this inherent chemical resistance of timber. A solid timber floor can easily withstand spills, stains, and even exposure to highly corrosive materials!
- Amazing Finishing Options:-
Modern-day timber flooring experts have created a variety of surface finishes that enable homeowners to determine the type of shine their floorboards have. Adding these surface finishes also reduces maintenance responsibilities. Depending on the amount of foot traffic your timber floors experience, you can select a surface finish with high or low wear density. Here are some amazing timber flooring finishes that homeowners must consider –
- Flooring Oils: Flooring oils like Tung oil, Gemini, or China wood oil (Organ oil) serve as protectors of timber floors. They penetrate deep inside the timber grains, leaving very soft and natural appearances. To maintain these appearances, homeowners will need to put in some maintenance work.
- Polyurethanes: These are similar to plastic coating. They give timber floors greater abrasion resistance, helping homeowners create harder floor finishes that require very little maintenance. Several water base polyurethanes in the market give timber floors wear/tear resistance, richer colors, and enhanced strength.
- Modified Oils: Some flooring oils have been modified by scientists. For example, Tung oil’s modified version dries faster and is easier to maintain compared to standard Tung oil finishes that require careful maintenance.
The diverse market of timber floor finishes makes installation processes easier. Homeowners have a complete say over how their floors look and feel. Read – 5 Undeniable benefits of installing the timber flooring in Sydney to know more about what you can expect when you’re installing timber floors in your home. Just make sure that the type of timber floor finishes you choose contains very low VOCs!
- The Open Secret:-
This last fact is an “open secret.” That’s because timber flooring represents over 30% of the Australian flooring market. Hence, countless homeowners are already aware of the fact that timber floors are lifetime investments. By getting timber flooring in Sydney, homeowners not only add value to their properties, but they also give the character and life of their home!