Unlike solid timber flooring that comes from 100% hardwood, engineered wood flooring is something more complicated. It is made of a complex wood, which consists of many layers. The outer layer is a thin (2-6mm thickness) slice of your chosen wood called veneer, while the inner layers are usually made of a hardwood, high-density fiberboard, or plywood. The purpose of the outer surface is aesthetics, and the core layers make the material more stable than typical hardwood materials.
But what makes it an outstanding choice for every homeowner to consider? Here are seven reasons why choosing engineered wood floors is the best option for your house.
Better Stability
Because it has many core layers, an engineered wood floor is steadier compared to other hardwood materials. It has better stability, which means it is not shaky and less likely to have gaps between the floorboards.
Friendly to the Environment
Apparently, this type of flooring is more environment-friendly than traditional hardwood floorboards for a couple of reasons. For one, the veneer is not cut with a saw. It is sliced, and the process does not produce any sawdust. If there is no sawdust, then every part of the tree’s wood is used. Sawdust is considered wastes from cutting trees with a saw.
Second, the trees used in producing the engineered floor inner layers grow faster than hardwood trees. Traditional hardwood flooring utilizes more materials coming from slow-growing trees, resulting in a much longer waiting time to replenish the trees.
Easier and Faster Installation
If you have no patience, then this may be the perfect option for your home. Since the floorboards are ready to be used, the installation can start once the materials reach the site. Moreover, laying the boards on the floor is much easier since you can use a lot of installation methods such as glue, stapling, nailing, or fold-and-lock. But do take note that engineered wood floors are suitable in areas with proper underfloors or subfloors. You can install them in powder rooms and basements without moisture problems.
More Resistant to Climate Changes
The process that engineered floorboards go through makes it resistant to changes in climate and moisture. It also prevents the wood from cupping, gapping, shrinking, or swelling, which is more likely to happen on solid timber floorboards.
Wide Range of Options
When you choose engineered wood flooring, you do have many options to choose from. Some of the timber products available in Australia are Teak, Ash, Iroko, and Black Walnut.
Easy to Maintain
Engineered wood floors are easy to clean. You can use a broom, a vacuum cleaner with a soft flooring attachment, or a microfiber mop to collect the dust and other debris. You can also apply mild floor cleaner and spread it on the floor using a slightly damp mop. And never use soap and water in cleaning the floor; it may lose its classic beauty.
Resanding
This is one of the major differences between engineered wood and solid timber floors. The latter can go through resanding numerous times, but you can resand engineered flooring only once or twice. However, you have to do it lightly. Too much friction can cause the thin outer layer from wearing faster.
If you are looking for someone to install your engineered wood flooring, we are your best choice. We take pride in our team of specialists who are capable of doing the work with accuracy and finesse. We also have complete equipment, so you are assured that we do our job well. If you want our services, do give us a call. We will be waiting for you.
