What Is Engineered Hardwood? The Advantages Of Choosing Engineered
Engineered wood flooring has a real wood top layer and an engineered core and is a long-lasting alternative to solid hardwood flooring. Authentic wood plank warmth and beauty are combined with the long-term durability and water resistance of engineered hardwood floors.
Right on cue, my friend! It’s the next evolution in hardwood flooring.
Discover how engineered hardwood adds value to your home with the different styles available, plus the pros and cons, so you know exactly what to expect with your flooring.
Contents
Engineered Hardwood Flooring: The Basics
Discover how engineered hardwood adds value to your home with the different styles available, plus the pros and cons, so you know exactly what to expect with your flooring.
Discover how engineered hardwood adds value to your house with the numerous types available, with the benefits and disadvantages, so you know precisely what to expect with your flooring.
There are a wide variety of styles and qualities to choose from when it comes to engineered hardwood flooring, so you’ll know precisely what to anticipate.
Your curiosity with engineered hardwood has no doubt piqued my own. Here we go then.
Layers of Engineered Wood Flooring
The layered architecture of engineered hardwood provides moisture resistance. The composition of the layers that make up this flooring will determine how water resistant it is.
Veneer Layer
In this area, you’ll find the real wood veneer that gives your flooring such a distinctive appearance. A scratch-resistant coating may make some engineered wood planks more durable, but the veneer layer stands up to wear and tear just well. Furthermore, the veneer can be made from virtually any type of wood you like.
Depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, this layer can be refinished or not. Before sanding or refinishing engineered wood, verify the manufacturer’s instructions.
Core Layer
In this area, the plank’s “heart” lies. As the temperature changes, the core can be built to have less expansion and contraction than the rest of the floor.
With the addition of wax and other water-repellent compounds, engineered hardwood’s high-density fiberboard (HDF), stone-plastic composite (SPC), or engineered plywood core provides moisture resistance. Engineered cores are less likely to buckle when installed correctly due to their moisture resistance.
Backing Layer
Most engineered wood planks include a backing made of a different type of wood, which is comparable to the veneer on the plank’s top. Your floor will be supported by this layer, which is compatible with any underlayment you choose.
It is more customary to utilize a separate moisture barrier underlayment with an engineered hardwood flooring than to use a connected moisture barrier underlayment.
What Styles Do Engineered Hardwood Support?
Engineered hardwood can provide a wide range of design options for your home, including the following:
- Hickory, oak, maple, and other popular wood types are also available.
- Matte, semi-gloss and high-gloss coatings are also available.
- A range of surface finishes are available for engineered hardwood, including hand scraped for a time-worn look, distressed for a slightly rustic look, or wire-brushed.
Engineered hardwood is an excellent choice for homes in colder areas since it can be installed over radiant heating, but you should check with your local flooring specialists to make sure the model you choose is compatible with your heater.
Hardwood floors come in a wide variety of styles, from warm minimalism to transitional modern. No matter where you put engineered hardwood in your house, you can rest assured that it will be a stunning focal point with a long-lasting surface.
How Thick Is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Between 3/8″ and 3/4″ thick, engineered flooring is the most common, whereas solid hardwood is between 1/2″ and 3/4″.
How Long Will an Engineered Wood Floor Last?
When properly installed and cared for, engineered hardwood floors can last a lifetime, depending on the quality of the flooring and how well you keep them. Your home’s flooring will last longer if you pay attention to all three elements.
You can choose from a variety of styles, from sleek and smooth to rustic and scraped, when you install our Floorcraft engineered hardwood in your home.
Even in the basement and bathrooms, engineered hardwood can be installed if there are no significant moisture issues and a protective moisture barrier is in place, thanks to novel manufacturing processes
Because engineered hardwood is less expensive than solid hardwood, you can use it in more spaces.
Is Engineered Hardwood the Same as Laminate?
Engineered hardwood is not the same as laminate flooring, despite their resemblance in appearance.
To give the appearance of wood, engineered hardwood has a solid wood top layer, whereas laminate has a photographic layer covered in a wear layer.
It’s also worth noting that laminate flooring is thinner than engineered wood.
Is Engineered Hardwood More Expensive Than Solid Hardwood?
It is common for engineered hardwood to be less expensive than hardwood flooring, which normally costs between $4 and $12 per square foot.
Construction of Engineered Wood Flooring
The ornamental layer of an engineered wood floor must be made of real wood in order to qualify as such. Engineered floors can only have a natural ornamental top layer, unlike laminate flooring, where the decorative layer is a print. Real wood is utilized in the production of laminate flooring, which is a type of flooring. The HDF core is made from wood chips, whereas the decorative surface is made from synthetic materials.
Any thickness of real wood can be used as the decorative top layer.. When it comes to sanding, thicker top layers are often better. Additionally, a thicker top layer can raise the price.
The core board is the second component of engineered flooring. For the decorative layer to be bonded to, this serves as a base layer. The board of directors plays a critical role. The whole floor is made stronger and more stable by this feature. With variations in humidity and temperature, the core is constructed of components that are regarded more stable than solid wood flooring. Engineered wood flooring uses a variety of core boards, each with its own unique properties.
The whole thickness is shown first, while the top layer is shown second. Total thickness is 18 millimeters, with a 5 millimeter real wood top layer.
Types Of Engineered Floors
The most popular type of engineered wood floor is multi-ply. It has the closest resemblance to solid wood flooring when walking on it. In order to prevent cupping and over-expansion, numerous layers are used. The total thickness is usually between 13 mm and 20 mm thick. Up to 350mm broad boards can be supported thanks to the core plywood’s increased rigidity.
Another popular option is a 3-ply engineered floor. While it’s installed, it’s incredibly comfortable, and it’s extremely resistant to cupping and overexpansion. Thicknesses typically range from 12 to 18 millimeters (mm). 3-ply core is recommended for boards that are less than 200mm wide. Wide plank wood flooring can be unstable since the core isn’t as sturdy as a multi-ply core.
Engineered flooring with an HDF core is less frequent. However, the fact that they can be used in so many different ways is causing them to gain in popularity. Installation is a breeze thanks to the core’s compatibility with DIY-friendly click systems. Natural strength of high-density fiber cores allows for reduction in total thickness, which facilitates the transfer to different floor types.
The Advantages Of Choosing Engineered
You can clearly see the natural qualities of engineered wood flooring because the surface is made of real wood (as we already know). However, there are other benefits to consider as well..
- Stability is ideal for older homes, which are more susceptible to temperature and humidity variations.
- Larger installations are now possible due to the improved stability.
- Adding leveling and insulating benefits are possible with engineered wood flooring underlay.
- As a result of its popularity, Engineered Flooring has more options than ever before.
- Because of their increased solidity, these floors are frequently suitable for click installation.
- Cupping poses less dangers than other methods of treatment.
Common Misconceptions
When it comes to engineered wood flooring, there are a lot of myths out there that need to be dispelled. For your floor to live up to expectations, you must be aware of these factors.
- When compared to solid wood floors, scratch resistance does not better. Scratches and blemishes will still appear on the top layer of actual wood. A special protective layer is applied to all of our anti-scratch wood flooring.
- They can’t be used in water. The required moisture levels should not be exceeded despite the fact that the stability against moisture is better than that of solid wood.
- There is still a need for expansion gaps. However, despite the fact that it doesn’t expand as much as solid wood, engineered wood flooring does move when the temperature and humidity fluctuate.
- It’s fine to sand. A 3mm or greater top layer means that you can sand the floor back and refinish it several times.
How to install engineered wood flooring
Each board can be easily attached to the next with a machined profile. An angle is formed between the male and female joints of each board (fig: 1). The boards are secured in place by downward pressure, which creates a solid and dependable junction (fig: 2). The technique eliminates the need to glue or screw the boards together, making it quick and simple to install. Because of this, it’s a go-to option for those who want a floor they can put in themselves.
The look of engineered wood flooring
The species of wood, grain grade, surface treatment, and plank size all play a role in the appearance of engineered wood flooring.
Your floor will look better if you choose a higher grade of hardwood. There are three types of flooring available at UK Flooring Direct: “Rustic,” “Nature,” and “Select.” When it comes to color and grain variety, rustic is a great option, while Nature is more conventional looking with less knots or mineral spots, and Select is the cleanest looking option with only a few pinhole knots.
How Do You Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors?
Engineered wood floors may be kept clean by following a few simple steps. To maintain a beautiful, long-lasting floor, use this cleaning method on a regular basis.
- Sweep frequently: Dirt can damage your flooring over time if it isn’t cleaned from the surface. Sweeping your floor on a regular basis extends the life of your flooring. To avoid scratching or denting your floor, use the bare floor option on your vacuum when cleaning.
- It’s recommended to damp mop engineered wood floors with a hardwood-approved cleaner like Bona, not wet. Moisture can leak through the planks and cause subfloor damage or warping if you use wet mops. Engineered hardwood floors don’t require a lot of elbow grease when it comes to cleaning. You simply have to do it on a regular basis.
Steam mops are not recommended for engineered hardwood floors, since they might damage the finish. In addition to warping engineered wood planks, steam cleaning exposes the subfloor and the planks’ construction to moisture intrusion. Steam cleaning engineered wood floors is not recommended unless you plan to replace your flooring every few years.
Conclusion
What are you waiting for? Engineered hardwood flooring is innovative and easy to install, so what are you waiting for?