Search Results

Experience the convenience of virtual wood flooring consultations, offering a comprehensive showcase of our diverse flooring options in an array of colors, finishes, and grades. Our adept Showroom Consultants are dedicated to guiding you through the selection process with expertise and personalized assistance. At Forté Flooring, our commitment to excellence extends to every virtual consultation, providing you with a refined and tailored experience as you explore the finest in flooring solutions."

Come visit us in our showroom and

One of our highly experienced flooring experts, will come visit your project and talk through all the processes involved in your flooring requirements.

Thinking about Insulating Your Floors in Ireland? Forté Flooring Has You Covered! Welcome to Forté Flooring’s expert guide on Suspended Floor Insulation costs in Ireland. If you're considering insulating your floors but are concerned about the expenses, you've come to the right place. Our comprehensive blog will help you navigate the various factors that influence the cost of floor insulation, the different types available, and how to budget effectively for this essential home improvement. Whether you're updating an older home or working on a new construction project, our clear, helpful information will make your decision easier. Discover how floor insulation can enhance your home’s comfort and efficiency, making it a valuable investment. Follow the link for a quick overview of the processes involved. https://youtu.be/hS2piBDaJCM Average Cost of Floor Insulation in Ireland The cost of floor insulation in Ireland can vary based on several factors, including the type of insulation material, the size of the area to be insulated, and the complexity of the installation process. At Forté Flooring, we provide quality services with transparent pricing to suit your needs. Homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from €20 to €30 per square meter for standard insulation materials like mineral wool or fiberglass. For more advanced materials such as polyurethane foam or specialized acoustic insulation, prices can range from €40 to €50 per square meter. These figures are approximate and can be influenced by the specific requirements of your home and current market rates. Additionally, labour costs for professional installation should be factored into your overall budget. In Ireland, labour costs for floor insulation installation with Forté Flooring range from €30 to €50 per square metre, depending on the project's size and the contractor's rates. While DIY installation might seem like a cost-saving option, professional installation ensures optimal efficiency and compliance with building regulations. Investing in high-quality floor insulation not only enhances your home's comfort and energy efficiency but also contributes to long-term savings on heating bills. Types of Floor Insulation At Forté Flooring, we offer a variety of floor insulation options to suit different floor structures and specific needs: Polystyrene Boards:  These rigid boards are great for insulating concrete and suspended floors. Polyurethane Foam:  Often sprayed on, this foam is excellent for insulating different types of floors, including concrete and wooden floors. Mineral Wool:  This material comes in rolls and can be used between the beams on wooden floors. Fiberglass Insulation:  Commonly placed between the wooden beams in floors, available in rolls or batts. Cellulose Insulation:  Good for filling uneven spaces, especially in older homes with irregular floor frameworks. Sheep's Wool Insulation:  An eco-friendly choice that's great for keeping floors warm. Rigid Foam Insulation:  These panels are used under the floor surface and are suitable for both concrete and wooden floors. Cork Insulation:  A natural, sustainable option that provides good warmth and noise reduction for floors. Each type is suited for different floor structures and specific needs, making it important to choose the right one for your space. Benefits of Floor Insulation Floor insulation offers numerous benefits for homeowners in Ireland: Improved Thermal Efficiency:  Insulating your floors can lead to improved thermal efficiency in your home. This means that less heat will escape through the floor, keeping your rooms warmer for longer. With better insulation, you won't have to rely as much on heating systems, which can help reduce energy consumption and lower your bills. Not only will insulating your floors make your home more comfortable, but it can also save you money in the long run. Plus, it's a great way to contribute towards a greener environment by reducing carbon emissions. Reduced Energy Bills:  Insulating your floor can help lower your energy bills significantly. With proper insulation, you can keep the warmth inside during the winter and the coolness inside during the summer. This means that you won't have to rely as much on heating or air conditioning systems, resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower utility costs. By investing in floor insulation, you can save money in the long run while creating a more comfortable living environment for yourself and your family. Enhanced Soundproofing:  We all want our homes to be peaceful and quiet, right? That's why it's important to consider enhanced soundproofing when installing floor insulation in your home. By adding a layer of insulation underneath your floors, you can significantly reduce the noise that travels between rooms or from outside. This means fewer disruptions from footsteps, conversations, or traffic noises. So not only will floor insulation help with energy efficiency and cost savings, but it will also create a more tranquil living environment for you and your family. Increased Property Value:  Installing floor insulation in your home can increase its property value. A well-insulated floor is a desirable feature for potential buyers as it demonstrates energy efficiency and cost savings. A properly insulated floor helps to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling. This can lead to lower energy bills, which is always an attractive selling point. Additionally, floor insulation provides enhanced soundproofing, making your home quieter and more peaceful. So not only will you enjoy the benefits of floor insulation while living in your home, but you'll also reap the rewards when it's time to sell. At Forté Flooring, we ensure that every step of the insulation process is handled with expertise and care, providing you with the best possible outcome for your investment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient with our top-quality floor insulation services.

FAQ's About Engineered Hardwood Flooring 1. Can I use wooden flooring in the kitchen and bathroom? Click To Learn More The answer to one of the most popular FAQ's is yes, wooden flooring can be used in both kitchens and bathrooms due to its hard-wearing nature. However, it’s important to note that timber floors are natural and react differently to moisture and wear compared to other materials like marble or tiles. Proper care and maintenance are essential, especially in high-moisture areas. We recommend consulting with your professional flooring installer to ensure your timber floors are protected and well-maintained in these spaces. 2. What are the benefits of engineered floorboards over solid timber floorboards? Engineered wood flooring offers several advantages over solid timber flooring while still providing a wide range of styles, finishes, and colors: Durability : Engineered floorboards are more resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations, reducing the risk of movement and warping. Sustainability : These floors are a more environmentally friendly option due to the efficient use of timber. Ease of Installation : Engineered boards are available in longer and wider formats, making installation quicker and easier. Underfloor Heating Compatibility : Engineered floors are suitable for use with underfloor heating systems. No Acclimatisation Required : Provided there is no underfloor heating, engineered floors do not need an acclimatisation period. Cost-Effective : They offer elegant and high-quality choices at more budget-friendly prices. 3. What does an unfinished floor mean? An unfinished timber floor consists of raw floorboards without any protective layers or sealants applied. While some may prefer the rustic look of unfinished floors, they are more vulnerable to damage from moisture and wear. Typically, unfinished floors are finished on-site with light sanding, followed by the application of protective coatings and stains to enhance durability and appearance. 4. What is the most durable finish for solid timber floors? The durability of a finish depends on the type of hardwood, its usage, and the desired aesthetic. Not all finishes work equally well on every type of hardwood. At Forté Flooring, we offer a variety of finishes, including oil-based, modified oil, water-based, alcohol-based, and hard wax oil finishes, among others. Our flooring professionals can recommend the best finish for your specific flooring type to achieve the desired durability and look. 5. Is tongue and groove better than click-lock flooring? While click-lock flooring is quick and easy to install, traditional tongue and groove flooring offers greater flexibility and is often the better choice. Tongue and groove flooring can be installed over any subfloor, including joists, and is easier to repair if damaged during installation. In contrast, click-lock flooring can be more challenging to repair. 6. What does grading mean? Click To Learn More On Grading Grading refers to the classification of timber floorboards based on their visual characteristics, such as grain patterns, knots, veins, splits, and insect marks. At Forté Flooring, we offer three grades of timber flooring: Select Grade : For a cleaner, more uniform appearance. Standard Grade : A balanced look with some natural variations. Character Grade : Features more pronounced natural characteristics, offering a rustic appeal. Explore our supplier's full range of timber floor styles and grades to find the perfect match for your project. 7. Which timber flooring is the best? The best timber flooring depends on your personal preferences, including the color, tone, and texture you desire. Whether you prefer hardwood, engineered, cork, or bamboo, the choice is yours. Among European hardwood species, Oak and Ash are particularly favored for their beauty and durability. 8. How long will my timber floors last? With proper care and maintenance, timber floors can last for decades. Regular sanding and polishing help renew the appearance of the wood, keeping your floors looking fresh for many years. The lifespan of your timber floors is also influenced by the thickness of the floorboards—thicker boards can be sanded and polished more times, extending their life significantly. 9. How do I maintain and care for my engineered hardwood floors? Click To Learn More To keep your engineered hardwood floors looking their best, it’s essential to follow a regular maintenance routine. This includes sweeping or vacuuming regularly to remove dirt and debris, using a damp (not wet) mop with a hardwood-specific cleaner, and promptly wiping up spills to prevent moisture damage. Additionally, using area rugs in high-traffic areas and furniture pads can help protect the floors from scratches and wear. 10. Can engineered hardwood floors be refinished? Yes, engineered hardwood floors can be refinished, but the number of times depends on the thickness of the top hardwood layer. Thicker top layers can be sanded and refinished multiple times, just like solid hardwood floors. Refinishing helps restore the floor's original beauty and extend its lifespan. 11. Are engineered hardwood floors eco-friendly? Engineered hardwood floors are considered more environmentally friendly than solid hardwood because they use a thinner layer of hardwood on top and more sustainable materials like plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) underneath. This efficient use of resources reduces the demand for natural hardwood and contributes to more sustainable forestry practices. 12. How does engineered hardwood flooring compare to laminate flooring? While both engineered hardwood and laminate flooring can mimic the look of real wood, engineered hardwood is made with a real wood veneer on top, providing the natural beauty and authenticity of hardwood. Laminate, on the other hand, features a photographic layer that imitates wood and is generally less expensive. Engineered hardwood is more durable, can be refinished, and adds more value to your home compared to laminate. 13. Can engineered hardwood be installed over concrete? Yes, engineered hardwood is an excellent choice for installation over concrete subfloors. Its construction makes it more stable and resistant to moisture, which is crucial when installing directly over concrete. Proper preparation, such as using a moisture barrier, is essential to ensure long-lasting results. 14. How does engineered hardwood perform with underfloor heating? Engineered hardwood is highly compatible with underfloor heating systems, thanks to its stable construction. It conducts heat efficiently while resisting the warping and movement that can affect solid wood when exposed to temperature fluctuations. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and consult with your installer to ensure optimal performance. This comprehensive FAQ covers a wide range of questions, helping customers better understand engineered hardwood flooring and make informed decisions for their projects.

What’s The Difference Between Solid Timber Flooring and Engineered Timber Flooring? The biggest difference between engineered timber flooring and solid timber flooring is that engineered timber flooring is covered by a warranty and is pre-finished, meaning now acclimatisation, sanding or staining on site. What is Engineered Timber Flooring? Engineered timber flooring is a multi-layered floor composed of timber veneer surface layer sitting atop multi ply substrate. The top layer of the wood approximately 4-6mm making it easier to age and condition the wood, reducing the expansion and contraction of the wood, but can still be sanded back and repaired like solid timber flooring. This allows a manufacturer to create a pre-finished floorboard that doesn’t require additional sanding or polishing after installation – this also allows the wood to be delivered, laid and be ready to go all in one day. How Long Does Engineered Timber Flooring Last? On average, engineered flooring can expect to last around 20 to 30 years when cared for properly. When well looked after, timber flooring can expect to last around 10-12 years before it needs to be re-sanded. What Are The Advantages Of Engineered Timber Flooring? Oak Engineered Timber Flooring is a fantastic alternative to solid hardwood flooring as it’s less costly than solid hardwood, easier to install but more importantly, comes in a range of 100s of contemporary colours and finishes to freshen any home. Also, it’s very difficult to distinguish from its solid timber flooring once installed. A few other benefits to Engineered timber flooring are as follows: (As mentioned) it’s less costly than solid hardwood flooring Difficult to tell apart from solid flooring once installed Better resistance to fluctuations in temperature and humidity than solid wood flooring Significantly more stable Pre-finished timber flooring Matt finish coating Can be installed overheat sun floor Available in a wide range of wood species, styles, colours, and finishes The top layer can be sanded and refinished if necessary Quicker installation Environment friendly The oak engineered floorboards we use at Forte Flooring are constructed out of a multilayer ply base. This enhances the stability of the floorboards and significantly reduces the chances of the wood cupping or shrinking over time, which is common in solid timber flooring. Our Engineered floorboards are coated in the factory under a controlled environment, with a selective colour matching process. This gives customers the confidence they need when ordering their oak timber floorboards. Our matt finish coating significantly reduces the amount of dust seen on your floorboards and allows homeowners to do spot repairs on their floorboards rather than waiting to fully re-sand and recoat their floorboards as is the only way solid timber floorboards can be repaired. What Are The Disadvantages Of Engineered Timber Flooring? No flooring is without its drawbacks, and even though we’re strong advocates for engineered timber flooring there are disadvantages to the timber that needs to be considered. Susceptible to fading if in full sun, although this is greatly reduced with oak flooring Slightly less water resistance What is Solid Timber Flooring? Solid timber flooring is a traditional style hardwood floor which is a solid piece of wood all the way through. Solid timber flooring is often installed in its raw form which means the timber will need to be sanded down and polished once installed. Solid timber flooring doesn’t come with any warranty and has to be acclimatised in homes for weeks before installation. The had to be sanded and coated on site which adds more weeks before the flooring can be walked on. How Long Does Solid Timber Flooring Last? The lifespan of solid timber flooring is largely dependent on how well your timber floorboards are cared for. When done right, your floorboards can last for more than 40 years. What Are The Advantages Of Solid Timber Flooring? As mentioned previously, one of the biggest benefits of solid timber flooring is the ability to be able to sand the floorboards 3-4 times. A few other benefits to solid timber flooring are as follows: Can be used as your subfloor when being installed over bearers and joints Sanded and coated after all trades are done What Are The Disadvantages of Solid Timber Flooring? As we said, no flooring is without its drawbacks, not even solid timber flooring which we’ve detailed for you below: High Gloss that can show dirt and dust and require extra cleaning High gloss floors can require more maintenance and are a lot more difficult to repair than engineered floorboards Less stable than engineered timber flooring Thinner board sizes can add to clutter in homes Installation time can be between 4-6 weeks Longer wait time – Solid floorboards have to be acclimatised in the home for approx 6 weeks, then installed, coated and allowed to fully cure before homeowners can move in Limited choice of colours available More expensive option Choosing timber flooring that’s right for you ultimately comes down to personal preference and functionality. With 3 generations of experience in the flooring industry, our team of experts at Forte, are here to assist you in choosing a timber flooring that suits your needs.