Engineered wood flooring has become a popular choice among homeowners. However, with so many different grades, wood species, colours and types of finishes available in engineered wood flooring. It can become bit confusing for most people looking for the best engineered floors that suits their needs and lifestyle. These engineered wood flooring buying tips and benefits will help make the right decision.
At Wood4Floors, we understand that as homeowners you want the finest flooring for your home that looks great and can stand the test of time. Since most of you are already familiar with Solid Hardwood floors and if you are looking for more stable hardwood flooring options. Then, engineered wood floors will be a great option to consider. Because once installed, it can be almost indistinguishable from solid hardwood flooring with all the benefits.
Below, we have put together few buying tips and benefits of engineered wood flooring. But before me move ahead, let us understand…
What is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered floors features several layers glued together under high pressure and heat to form a plank. It’s made with laminate construction, making it lightweight and resist to shrinking or expanding caused by changes in temperature and humidity.
Typically, an engineered wood flooring has a bottom layer of solid hardwood treated to resist moisture and an inner core made of high-density fibreboard. While the top layer is a veneer of real wood which gives the same irresistible feel and natural look of hardwood floors.
Engineered Wood Flooring Buying Tips:
1. Wear Layer:
A top-quality engineered wood flooring is made of multiple layers stacked in a cross structure. It is this structure that give it the strength and durability to stand the test of time. The top layer is commonly known as “wear layer” and is 100% hardwood. However, you will also find some cheaper ranges where this wear layer is made of number of stripes of wood.
In case, if you are going with the cheaper option then go for “Single Strip” wear layer. This is because, the thickness of wear layer differs between ranges. So, thicker the wear layer the more time the board can be sanded and refinished.
2. Under Core:
Under core is something that you will never see but it’s one of the most important factors to consider in identifying a great engineered wood flooring. It’s this part that determines the stability of the wood flooring. The under core of engineered wood flooring can vary between ranges.
Top quality board has multi laminated hardwood ply while the cheaper ones are made of ‘block board’ meaning, features only one or two layers. Choosing engineered wood flooring with good quality under core is key if you intend to install under floor heating system or in a room that is prone to the changes in humidity or heat.
3. Dimension:
Engineered wood flooring come in wide range of widths and lengths. It is up to your preference when choosing a board that suits your property. However, there are few factors to consider which can help your save money without cutting back on quality.
Many prefer shorted and narrower boards to have less contemporary and more traditional feel. Such narrower and shorter board will cost you less but can be challenging to install. While wider and longer boards are little heavy on the pocket but can be easily installed. It’s now on you how you want to save money on your wood flooring.
4. Finish:
You can either buy engineered wood flooring that is pre finished at factory or untreated, which means you can treat your boards on site with a finish of your choice (oils or lacquers).
The benefits of prefinished engineered wood flooring are that, you can simply install them as is it from the box. The boards will also be safe from accidental marks or damages from the moment they come out of the box. Whereas, the benefits of untreated one are, you can choose the finish and achieve the correct colour and level of protection. The flooring will look exactly the way you want it to be, matching to your house design.
5. Maintenance:
If you use high-quality treatment, it will be much easier for you to maintain the floor. At Wood4Floors, we have shared a guide for care and maintenance of wood flooring. We are sure you will find some of the most valuable information to help keep your home flooring at best condition. If you still have any question regarding engineered wood flooring, then feel free to contact us. Our flooring experts will be more than happy to help you!
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