What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?

If you are in the market for durable wood flooring, you may have heard of engineered flooring already. However, you might not be fully up to scratch on what it is and why you should consider it for your home. Let us explain.

At Frank’s, we’re going to take a look at why engineered wood flooring still stands as the preferred choice for homeowners seeking a wood floor finish.

Engineered flooring is purposefully designed and built, rather than being the full natural product ready to be installed straight away as flooring. 

How is engineered wood flooring constructed?

For engineered wood flooring to be given its name, the decorative layer on top must be real wood. Laminate flooring, despite having a wood effect, has a printed top layer. Engineered wood floors can only have a natural decorative top layer.

This decorative layer of real wood can be of any thickness but as a general rule, the thicker the top layer the longer life it has and can be sanded every few years to prolong it. It is also worth mentioning that a thicker top layer can add to the cost of the flooring.

The second construction component of engineered hardwood is the core board. This provides the base layer that the decorative layer bonds to. Core board is highly important because it helps to provide strength and overall stability to the floor.

Made from materials considered more stable than solid wood, especially when exposed to changes in moisture and heat, there are many types of core board used to manufacture engineered wood flooring.

Advantages of engineered wood flooring

One of the most obvious advantages of engineered hardwood is the natural characteristics of the decorative layer, which is natural wood. However, there are others to consider:

• Increased stability for older homes that are susceptible to heat and humidity changes
• Huge range of colours and styles of engineered flooring available
• Often compatible with click installation
• Engineered flooring underlay can be used to improve levelling and insulation
• The stability increase also allows for large installations.

What are some common misconceptions?

At Frank’s, we often hear many misconceptions about engineered wood. So, we’re here to clear up any uncertainties!

• The top layer of engineered hardwood is still wood. Therefore, scratch resistance is not always guaranteed, especially if you have a busy household or pets.
• Engineered wood flooring is not waterproof. Although resistance against moisture is improved compared to solid hardwood, it is important to stay within the recommended levels of moisture.
• Expansion gaps are required despite engineered hardwood expanding less than solid wood.
• Sanding is possible if your engineered hardwood has a top layer of 3mm or more.

Discover the wide range of high quality engineered wood flooring at your local Frank’s. Pop down to your nearby store and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect flooring to transform your home.