Choosing WOOD flooring

DECIDING TO USE natural timber is the easy part of your flooring solution. It is an obvious choice - warm, inviting, durable, child-friendly, low-allergenic and suited to Hong Kong's climate.

For the past decade or so, timber also has been highly regarded in the flooring fashion stakes. And for good reason - not only is it stylish and a perfect complement for rugs and furnishings, timber can also take the hard knocks and still look great. Sometimes it can even look better after tough treatment.

But perhaps best of all is its ease of maintenance. With most wooden floors it is often just a case of running a mop over them as part of a daily cleaning routine.

However, deciding which timber to opt for can be confusing. There are many species of wood with various grades, finishes, price ranges and qualities. Most likely none of the choices would be wrong - it's more a matter of which one is right for you.

Don't choose your ideal floor from a magazine or sales brochure. While they provide a useful starting point, you should visit showrooms to see the samples and discuss the grade, finish and application with experienced sales staff.

Since all timber performs well, it is mostly a matter of personal choice. Readily available species include ash, oak, beech, birch, cherry, maple, merbau and walnut, with colours from light to medium to a deep nut brown. Bear in mind that most woods darken with age, becoming deeper and mature. The extent of the contrast depends on the grade chosen, so be sure to discuss this with the salesperson.

While choosing a dark colour might create an intimate atmosphere, it can also make a room look smaller. A lighter colour lightens up a small room so that it appears bigger. You also need to decide on a pattern, such as strip, plank or herringbone, and, thanks to modern technology, determine whether you want solid or semi-solid flooring. Solid floors are just that - 100 per cent real timber - while semi-solids have a top layer of hardwood, mounted on a backing of composite material or plywood.