The flooring of your house, office, or store bears a lot of significance when it comes to remodeling your space. It completely changes the outlook of the place and lays the groundwork for your furnishing ideas. Wooden flooring has been a part of flooring options for a long time. But, engineered timber flooring has brought new elegance and sophistication to home décor solutions. It employs a real hardwood surface with a core of multiple layers of plywood. They are stronger and more durable than solid wood flooring, and they are very unlikely to split or gap.
The multi-layered floor provides a very stable surface top. The cost of engineered timber flooring is usually way less than the cost of most hardwood flooring. It can also withstand moisture changes as well as years of wear and tear. Its design tackles the pre-existent problems of solid wood flooring, like expansion or contraction of the timber.
Read through this article to learn everything you need to know about engineered timber flooring:
Table of Contents
Installation
Engineered hardwood planks are real wood with a surface that can be sanded down and refinished. Engineered hardwood is easier to install and has multiple layers of plywood under the flooring. It can be directly installed on concrete or on tiles. This type of wood does not need to be nailed or glued down to the floor.
Each layer of engineered hardwood is positioned in a different direction than the surrounding ones. This prevents the wood from bending on exposure to moisture. The latest changes in engineered timber wood flooring apply Duracoat wear layers which do not require sanding at all.
Benefits of Engineered Timber Wood Flooring
There are various benefits of engineered timber wood flooring. For starters, it gives your space a natural and exquisite appeal with warmth and luxury. The following are some of the most amazing benefits of engineered timber wood flooring:
Structural Stability
Engineered timber wood flooring has great structural stability. It is made of layers and layers of plywood and then topped with hardwood. This makes the flooring incredibly tough and very unlikely to undergo wear and tear due to heavy footfall.
Withstand Moisture Changes
Due to its design and construction, engineered timber wood flooring does not expand or contract like solid wood flooring. This means that this flooring can be used in spaces where there is more moisture, like kitchens and bathrooms. A properly installed engineered hardwood floor will not give you problems relating to contraction and expansion.
Refinishing and Sanding
Engineered timber wood floor can be sanded during its lifetime. Re-sanding helps you bring your floor back to life by getting rid of the usual wear and tear, staining or markings. After you have re-sanded your engineered timber wood floor, you can also refinish it to give it a new look. You are free to completely change the look of your floor every time you re-sand it.
Easy Installation
Engineered timber wood flooring is DIY friendly and comparatively easy to install. The installation is equally convenient for DIY or professional installation.
Large Selection
Installation of engineered timber wood flooring gives you many options to choose from. There is a wide range of options for engineered flooring products for a real wood top layer over the plywood layers. CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) is one of the many engineered flooring products which can be used for long spans in the floor. This means that you can choose the look you want and choose the best finish that goes with your furnishings. Different grades of wood can also be used to suit your budget.
Cost-Effective
Engineered hardwood flooring costs you less than solid wood flooring. The cost varies according to the thickness of the planks and number of layers laid, but the overall cost of professional installation of engineered timber wood flooring is less than the installation of solid wood flooring.
Problems with Engineered Timber Wood Flooring
There are very few disadvantages of having engineered timber wood flooring. However, nothing in the world is entirely flawless. Here are some drawbacks of engineered timber wood installation:
Thin Veneers
If the veneers used in the installation of engineered timber wood flooring are too thin, you will not be able to re-sand or refinish your flooring. Sanding and refinishing doubles the lifetime of your floor. If your veneers are thin, you will not have the option of sanding and refinishing.
Expense
Engineered timber wood flooring is more expensive than laminating, tiling, and carpeting. You should, however, avoid using low-quality products for your flooring.
Core Layers
The core layers of engineered hardwood should be of high quality to avoid expansion and contraction problems. Some manufacturers try to cut down the cost by using fiberboard, but this will compromise the quality of your flooring and its stability.
Engineered Wood Flooring Care
Due to the higher structural stability of engineered timber wood flooring, it requires relatively low maintenance. Here are some expert tips for maintaining your flooring:
- Engineered hardwood has higher endurance for moisture change, but it does not mean that it is alright to make it soaking wet. Use a flat bottomed mop to avoid surface water accumulation.
- To prevent your flooring from dents and scratches, use furniture pads under table legs.
- Ensure regular cleaning, sweeping and vacuuming to keep the flooring free of dust and grit.
- Keep your pets’ nails trimmed to avoid any scratches on the flooring.
- Also, avoid walking with stiletto or spiked heels on the floor as they can cause damage to the top layer of the flooring.
- To avoid damaging the beautiful surface, do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean the floor.
Engineered timber flooring is a timeless styling and remodeling idea. It is easy to install and looks aesthetically appealing when installed. The core layers of engineered timber flooring give it more structural stability while the top veneer layer gives beauty to your flooring. It is a very good option for both residential and commercial spaces. Its benefits range from financial to ecological.
About Author:-
Simon is an entrepreneur and self-proclaimed jack of all trades. Simon has experience in the building and home renovation industry and he knows what it takes to knock out a successful project whether it be commercial or residential. Currently, he works as a marketing consultant with ASH – an established name amongst wood suppliers in Australia. Another niche for Simon is travel and outdoors leisure, including sporting equipment and bikes. A big kid at heart if it goes fast, bounces, slides or you can climb it Simon has put it to the test.
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