Determining the total cost of hardwood flooring per square meter can be quite the puzzle. When scouting for hardwood floor prices per m2 online, the discrepancies between providers can be staggering. Several factors contribute to these differences in pricing. Here are seven key elements that influence the costs of high-quality engineered wood flooring in Ireland:
Wood Species: The type of wood you select is the primary influencer of price. European woods like French oak are generally more cost-effective compared to tropical hardwoods like jatoba and black kabbes. Each wood variant possesses unique characteristics, grains, and aesthetics, making the final choice a blend of taste, budget, and application. For high-traffic areas, opting for harder wood types that resist damage is advisable. Oak, a popular choice in Ireland, offers superb durability at a reasonable price.
Solid or Engineered Flooring Construction.
Choosing between solid hardwood floors and engineered wood floors involves weighing various factors. Solid wood floors consist of a single thick wood layer, which typically leads to higher prices due to the material involved. In contrast, engineered wood floors comprise multiple layers with a top layer of wood, making them more cost-effective.
Engineered floors offer versatility; they can be installed as floating floors and are well-suited for underfloor heating, even in apartment settings. Oak wood engineered floors, especially when combined with underfloor heating, offer an excellent balance between price and quality. At our company, we provide the option of installing underfloor heating separately, apart from purchasing the wooden floor. This integrated service ensures convenience as all the work is managed by a single entity, streamlining schedules and providing a central point of contact. This not only offers an economical solution but also provides warmth throughout the space.
Quality & Origin Of Hardwood
Knowing the strength and durability of wood is pivotal when choosing flooring. Strength class signifies a wood type's maximum load-bearing capacity, influenced by factors such as texture, grain pattern, and drying techniques. In contrast, wood hardness, gauged by the Janka rating, unveils its resilience against wear and tear. Durability class, ranging from highly durable (class one) to less durable (class five), signifies the wood's ability to withstand biological degradation, offering insight into its expected lifespan.
Oak, for instance, falls within durability grades 2 or 3 (15-25 years), depending on the oak type. However, durability doesn't correlate with price or strength but denotes wood quality.
In spaces like living rooms, kitchens, offices, or shops—high-traffic areas—opting for strong and durable flooring is vital due to increased vulnerability to damage and wear. Choosing a cheaper floor might lead to premature replacement.
The influx of Asian parquet into the European market, particularly from China, has brought lower-priced options (25-35% cheaper). However, these savings stem not just from reduced wages but also altered production methods.
Chinese parquet often blends various oak species, utilizing softer sapwood rather than the hardwood as a top layer. Sapwood, susceptible to damage and fungi, diminishes floor quality. High-pressure production shortcuts the drying process, causing several issues, reducing strength, durability, and obscuring the wood's natural beauty.
Before purchasing, it's wise to inquire about wood origin from the store owner and assess planks in the showroom. Tailor your choice to the application. Spaces rarely used or temporary might accommodate a cheaper floor, but for busy areas, investing in quality ensures longevity and durability.
Width And Thickness Of Wood
A substantial advantage of a thicker wood layer lies in its ability to endure sanding and refinishing approximately every 5 to 10 years. This characteristic prolongs the lifespan of your wooden floor, allowing you to relish its beauty and functionality for an extended period. This sanding and refinishing capability holds true for both solid hardwood floors and engineered wooden floors, ensuring their longevity and enabling you to maintain the floor's pristine appearance over time.
Floor Finishes
The choice of wood floor finishes significantly influences the pricing of hardwood flooring.
Finishing options like oils, lacquers, or smoking techniques not only enhance the appearance but also serve as a protective layer. Without this protective coating, the wood becomes susceptible to liquid damage and dirt contamination. Adding color pigments to oils allows for personalized coloring of floorboards. The finishing process involves three to seven meticulous steps, contributing to variations in price between different finishes. For instance, even among white wooden floors, the price disparity arises due to the intricacies of the finishing process.
Moreover, our services extend beyond just flooring. We offer staircase renovations, covering stairs with hardwood treads in matching color finishes to create seamless transitions between rooms and floors. This attention to detail and customization adds value and uniqueness to your flooring projects.
Craftsmanship & Project Management
Investing in a wooden floor is best complemented by skilled installation from experienced parquet experts. Achieving intricate patterns like the versailles or herringbone demands craftsmanship for a flawless and precise outcome. The choice of flooring, inclusive of installation, impacts the overall pricing. At Forte Flooring, we incorporate installation costs into our per m2 price, offering transparent pricing unlike many other wood flooring providers.
In addition to craftsmanship, adept project management holds paramount importance, especially for business projects. Consider an office, shop, or a wooden floor in a heritage building. These ventures necessitate a deep understanding of regulations and laws for permits. Seamless collaboration and effective communication with stakeholders like owners, architects, and construction professionals are pivotal. Successful planning and execution hinge upon seamless alignment between all involved parties. At Forte Flooring, we understand the significance of these elements in delivering impeccable projects.
Other Factors
Underfloor Preparation: Enhancing the quality of the existing subfloor is occasionally necessary. While our wooden floors adapt to most surfaces, leveling floors—essential for a dry, flat, hard, clean, and sturdy subfloor—is often an extra expense not factored into initial prices.
Glue Expenses: Costs associated with premium-grade pre-strain and adhesive materials. At our establishment, we utilize top-quality adhesive solutions.
Skirting: Expenses for MDF or solid skirting boards, including assembly. Alternatively, we offer installations without skirting boards, ensuring a seamless fit against the wall.
Installation Charges: Incorporating costs for installation, along with the option for on-site floorboard color customization, as highlighted in point 6.
Maintenance Products: Essential maintenance oil and cleaners for wooden floors.
Pre-Inspection: Essential checks encompassing composition control, moisture levels, subfloor flatness, performance details, and relative humidity assessments.
Delivery Expenses and Warranty: Our wooden floor prices cover delivery throughout the Ireland and include a 5-year CBW warranty, sans deposit. Variations in costs might arise based on your country of residence. Reach out to us for comprehensive information.
VAT: Application of value-added tax on material and installation expenses. It can be either 13.5% for full services or 23% for supply only.