(1) Laminate Floors
Laminate floors can be the cheapest option. Made from HDF with a paper decorative layer, a wear layer and a backing layer. Laminate floors have improved vastly in the last few years.
Advantages:
* Scratch resistant
* Hard to deep scratch
* Fade resistant
* Hard to dent
* Click together and are relatively easy to install DIY
* Quick to install
* Damaged boards can be replaced
* Easy to remove when renovating
Disadvantages:
* As they are laid floating they can sound hollow when walked on in hard shoes (this can be
minimised with a good underlay)
* Do not look as good as real wood
* The joints can swell if water is left over their joints too long (this can be minimised by
purchasing boards with waxed edges)
(2) Engineered Floors
Made from 3 ply or multi ply with the top layer a pre-finished wood veneer. Usually cheaper than solid wood but more expensive than laminate.
Advantages:
* They are more stable than wood and resistant to cupping
* Quick to install
* Can be laid floating or stuck down
* Can be installed DIY
* Floating boards with click system can be replaced
* Look more natural than laminates
* Some can be re-sanded a few times
* When laid floating easy to remove when renovating
Disadvantages:
* When laid floating they can sound hollow when walked on in hard shoes
* Very easy to dent
* Some wood species are susceptible to high heel marks
* Have little resistance to deep scratches
* Will damage with excess moisture
* Can fade in sunlight
(3) Strand woven bamboo
The newest type of bamboo flooring.
Advantages:
* Hard to dent
* Hard to deep scratch
* Can be laid floating or directly stuck
Disadvantages:
* May not be able to be re-sanded
* Can cup if exposed to moisture
(4) Bamboo vertical/horizontal
The original type of bamboo flooring usually directly stuck.
Advantages:
* Pre-finished
* Can be re-sanded
* Does not sound hollow when walked on
Disadvantages:
* Will dent easily
* Will deep scratch easily
* Cannot easily replace boards
* Susceptible to high heel marks
* Expensive to remove if renovating
* May cup if exposed to moisture
(5) Solid wood
Probably the most expensive option as all the labour is done on site, not at a factory.
Advantages:
* Can be re-finished
* Deep scratches and dents can be sanded out
* Solid underfoot
Disadvantages:
* Cost
* Will dent
* Will deep scratch
* Boards may cup
* Can fade in sunlight
* Some species are susceptible to high heel marks
* Expensive to remove if renovating or water damaged