Apartment decor ideas: Invest in solid hardwood floors for long-term sustainability

Best flooring options: Whether your decor style is modern, traditional, or eclectic, solid wood floors seamlessly blend with various design themes, enhancing the overall ambiance of your home (Image: Junckers)

When it comes to apartment decor, flooring is a fundamental aspect that can dramatically influence the aesthetic and functional quality of your living space. Among the many flooring options available today, solid wood flooring stands out for its timeless elegance, durability, and versatility. Solid wood floors do not trap dust, pollen, or other allergens as carpets do. This makes them a healthier option for individuals with allergies or respiratory issues.

Solid wood floors can be stained in a variety of shades, from light, natural finishes to dark, dramatic tones. The finish can also be altered with different types of sheens, such as matte, satin, or glossy, to match the desired look and feel of the space. Considered to be one of the most suitable and sustainable choices for modern homes, solid hardwood flooring is always better than the other types of wooden flooring such as engineered or laminated ones.

Choosing the right floor:

Solid wood floors are designed to withstand heavy foot traffic and daily wear and tear, making them a practical investment for apartment living. Speaking about choosing the right wooden floor for Indian homes, Suresh Kumar Mansukhani, Country Head - Indian Sub-Continent and Mauritius at Junckers, mentions, “Normally, solid wood flooring has a moisture content over 15 percent-22 percent. This is very high in comparison to the climatic conditions that India has. Flooring with controlled moisture content between 8 percent -12 percent and a curvature clip system fixed underneath the plank can control the expansion and contraction during different climatic conditions. Solid wood floor is a natural wood floor. The natural grain-work can be seen throughout the thickness of the floor, being natural it gives an excellent aesthetic value which lasts forever. Unlike laminated wooden flooring and engineered flooring, this surface doesn’t wear out due to usage with time.”

Maintenance tips and tricks:

Solid wood flooring exudes a natural beauty and warmth that is hard to replicate with other materials. The unique grain patterns, rich colours, and smooth finish add a touch of sophistication to any apartment. Whether your decor style is modern, traditional, or eclectic, solid wood floors seamlessly blend with various design themes, enhancing the overall ambiance of your home.

One of the most compelling reasons to opt for solid wood flooring is its remarkable durability and longevity. Solid wood floors are designed to withstand heavy foot traffic and daily wear and tear, making them a practical investment for apartment living.

To maintain the splendour of hardwood floors, Mansukhani recommends, “While the installation of solid wood flooring can be done on an existing ground level floor, one must ensure that the floor is dry and not humid or moisture prone. Ensure a moisture barrier such as foam and plastic sheets are spread across the floor before installation to have a clean dry floor. The maintenance is quite simple a wet mop is what is required to clean the floor. Floor solutions and floor polishes are readily available in the market and can be used at monthly intervals to keep the wooden flooring in good shape and aesthetics."