A wooden floor adds warmth that tiles cannot match, and done well it lasts for decades. Done badly, it lifts, gaps and creaks within a year. Whether you are planning a new floor or looking after an existing one, these are the points that matter most.
Pick the right type for Dubai
Engineered wood handles changes in humidity better than solid wood, which makes it the safer choice for most air-conditioned homes here. Laminate is the budget option and is easy to maintain.
Think about the pattern early
Herringbone and chevron look striking but take longer to lay and use more material than straight planks. Decide before you order.
Let the boards acclimatise
Wood needs to adjust to the room before it is laid. Leave the unopened packs in the room, with the AC running, for a couple of days first.
Insist on a level, dry subfloor
Most flooring failures start underneath. The subfloor must be flat, clean and dry before any board goes down.
Leave an expansion gap
Wood moves. A small gap around the edge of the room, hidden by the skirting, gives it room to expand without lifting.
Clean it gently
Sweep or vacuum regularly and wipe with a well-wrung cloth. Never wet-mop or steam-clean a wooden floor.
Refinish instead of replacing
Scratched or dull solid and engineered floors can usually be sanded and re-coated to look new, at a fraction of the cost of a new floor.
