Walnut as an engineered wood flooring choice
3rd November 2010
When it comes to <a href="http://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk/Engineered.htm"> engineered flooring </a>, there are many choices of wood to pick from. But while it is not the most common, walnut may just hit a sweet spot others do not touch.
For most people seeking a wooden floor, something like oak or ash may be a simple choice. These are, of course, attractive woods and traditional ones as well, with these being trees common to Britain and used in flooring for centuries. They can also be enjoyed in different grades, from the neat and crisp select type with few markings to the rustic or nature grades, with a wide variety of sapwood, lines, rings and knots.
While <a href="http://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk/Engineered.htm">walnut</a> may be a less common material, it does however offer something those looking for wooden floors with lots of markings could greatly appreciate.
Firstly, there is the colour. Although walnut can come in a variety of shades, it is commonly available in a unique tone of creamy brown, like chocolate milk. This can combine with various swirls, knots and markings, as well as very pale shades of wood to provide a lively contrast of light and dark.
This may be expressed naturally through the variations in the wood itself, or given greater emphasis by configurations such as three-strip planking, where slats of different shades are juxtaposed, overlapping like bricks in a wall and giving the floor a vibrant pattern.
While a chocolate, dark brown and blonde mix of colours is one common variation for walnut, the wood is also available in golden brown with darker markings. This offers plenty of contrast too and means there is a choice of walnut shades to suit different tastes.
Walnut comes from around the world, with Brazilian, American and European varieties all widely available. What all of them have in common is a high level of durability and this may be considered as important as the appearance of the wood. Not only does such an attribute ensure the floor is less likely to be scratched or dented, but this can help increase the value of a home.
So while many people looking for a wooden floor might be tempted to opt for the familiarity of oak, ash or beech, walnut is a material well worth considering.
