Guide To: Engineered Wood Flooring

Here at Woodfloors4u, we offer a wide range of engineered wood flooring products that are perfect for any room in the house and which offer a great alternative to solid wood. But what is engineered wood flooring, and could it be the right design choice for you?

Engineered wood flooring looks and feels just like solid wood, but it can be laid in many areas where a solid wood floor may not be suitable, such as conservatories, kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Multiple layers are the secret to engineered wood, and in this guide, we’ll tell you just how these layers work together, how to choose the right wood to suit your needs and how to care for your wood once it is installed.

The Science Bit

Engineered wood flooring is made up of three different layers, each of which has a different job to do. The top layer is the fancy bit; a beautiful solid wood veneer that gives the appearance and texture of a solid wood floor. This is the most important layer to consider as it is the only layer you and other people will see. It needs to look the part and be of the best quality.

The second layer is the clever part; supportive and strong, this layer is made of soft wood, plywood or HDF. All three different types work in the same way, and prevent the top layer from becoming warped.

The third and final layer is a back layer that helps to stabilise the layers above. The result is a floor that is able to cope with changing moisture by slightly expanding and contracting and preventing your floor from buckling.

Types Of Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is available in a wide range of domestic and exotic hardwood varieties and a wide range of widths, giving you the freedom to choose the right wood to suit your personal taste and application. Depending on traffic, most engineered wood flooring has a lifespan of approximately 30 years, but this lifespan can be extended by choosing a floor with a thicker top or wear layer. From American Black Oak to Almond Frost Oak, we have chosen the most diverse, hard wearing and beautiful engineered wood flooring available in the industry today.

Is Engineered Wood Compatible With Underfloor Heating?

If you already have, or are thinking about underfloor heating, you’ll be pleased to know that engineered wood is the perfect flooring candidate. Heating the floor alters the moisture content of wood, and so it’s important that you choose wood that can handle these atmospheric changes. Engineered wood performs well with environmental changes without changing the appearance of the floor or damaging the wood finish or supporting layers.

Keeping Your Engineered Wood Flooring Looking Beautiful

Another huge benefit of choosing engineered wood is how easy it is to look after. Simply sweep or vacuum your floor daily and ensure that any spillages are wiped up immediately as excessive liquid could cause damage to your floor. We also recommend the use of rubber floor mats at all external doorways to prevent the transfer of pebbles, dirt, sand or other contaminants that could cause damage to your floor.

Experience The Versatility Of Engineered Wood Flooring For Yourself

If you are considering a new floor, why not take a look at our engineered wood flooring options. We can also give you advice on the best options for your home or business and show you some of our installations to give you inspiration and total confidence in our products and services.