Everything You Need to Know About Engineered Wood Flooring
Many homeowners will agree that renovating your home can be a difficult task. Whether it’s your first time or you’re already a seasoned pro, there’s always new things to learn, and new products available on the market. This is especially true with flooring. Whilst traditional materials are still highly popular, updates in technology have made flooring more accessible, cheaper to produce, and in many cases, more durable.
Renovating your home can be an important step
Introducing engineered wood flooring.
If you’re already familiar with this term, then you’re one step ahead. But many people are unsure of how engineered boards differ from other types of wood. The truth is, knowing the difference could save you a lot of trouble further down the line, so before you start shopping, it’s best to get acquainted.
Put simply, engineered wood flooring is composed of a hybrid design, taking the strength, stability, and style of solid wood, and combining it with the versatility and low cost of laminate flooring. Ultimately, you’re getting the best of both worlds!
There’s a lot to learn when it comes to engineered flooring, so let’s get started. Here are just a few points to pull you up to speed:
Highly Stable Core
The crowning feature that separates engineered boards from their hardwood counterparts is the specially developed core of compressed wood. Constructed using plywood or HDF, the core is made of multiple layers of timber, bonded together at perpendicular angles. This creates a ‘criss-cross’ design that proves highly resistant to fluctuations in humidity and moisture. Consequently, engineered flooring can be fitted in areas deemed unsuitable for traditional solid wood. As movement within the core is made almost impossible, engineered boards won’t begin to warp or buckle if installed in kitchens, conservatories, or basements. This choice of flooring can even be fitted above underfloor heating!
The quality of the wood is important
Solid Wood Veneer
Above the compressed core, a surface wear layer of 100% real hardwood is attached, perfectly imitating the look and feel of solid wood flooring. Although this layer can vary in thickness, it behaves identically to solid wood, and can be sanded multiple times over the course of its life. This removes the need for reinstallation, pacifying any damages that occur on the surface. Many manufacturers create engineered boards using a wide selection of wood species, so you don’t have to worry about having less choice than other alternatives.
Eco-Friendly
Due to its unique design, engineered wood flooring is a greener choice than traditional hardwood. Whilst it’s true that most manufacturers of solid wood flooring have made the change to more sustainable sources, solid wood boards have to be milled from a single piece of timber. This is not the case with engineered flooring, which utilises waste wood and pulp in its core layer. Using a fraction of the timber for the real wood veneer, the construction of engineered boards has far less impact on the population of hardwood trees. If you want to make sure that your choice of wood flooring is eco-friendly, remember to always check that it adheres to FSC regulations. If so, you can rest assured that you’re making a positive contribution to the environment.
Eco-friendly life
Easy to Install
Contemporary methods of installation have been growing in popularity over recent years, so it’s no surprise that manufacturers of engineered flooring are keeping up with the times. Engineered boards are often fitted with a ‘click’ installation system. Each plank is designed to snap together, locking in place with a simple and secure click. As a result, additional nails and adhesives are made obsolete, saving you time, money, and cutting down on mess. This makes it a perfect choice for those who love DIY!
Cheaper Than Solid Wood
No matter what kind of budget you’re working towards, chances are you’re going to want to save money where possible. If you want all the benefits of solid wood, but are put off with the initial costs, engineered flooring is a perfect solution. Whilst appearing indistinguishable from hardwood flooring once fitted, the compressed core of engineered boards makes for a lower price-tag. Engineered wood flooring can also last an entire lifetime if treated right, so you won’t have to break the bank on new floors any time soon.
