Following two weeks of discussing the various qualities of many different solid plank wood floors, it’s time to delve into the world of engineered timber flooring.
Once installed, an engineered wood floor can be difficult to differentiate from a strong plank floor. But believe me, even a trained eye can be fooled as often as not. Although both kinds of timber flooring bring the appearance of natural timber into a home, they are extremely distinct things. When to use boards and when to go engineered confuses a good deal of people.
It’s really not so complicated. Engineered wood flooring behave somewhat differently than plank flooring do; they tend to be easier to install and they are usually cheaper than solid boards.
Wood flooring are a classic addition to any residence. Barring damage from fire or flood, a well-made and correctly-installed good wood floor will include warmth, personality and value to your inside as long as you are in your house.
Nevertheless, not all timber flooring are equivalent, and the many species of timber which get made into flooring have various characteristics. Knowing these features will go a very long way that will help you pick the wood floor suitable for you.
Engineered wood floors and solid wood flooring are extremely different things, and there are distinct situations when one would work better than the other. A future installment of the series will discuss engineered wood flooring, but let us get through strong wood .
More floors guides
Paul Anater
Kingsbridge Oak – $13
Initially, engineered wood flooring were created to be used on the first floor of a home built on a concrete slab or in a basement. But engineered timber flooring technology has exploded over the past twenty years, and its products can be used nearly everywhere, such as in places where you would expect to find plank flooring.
Before we get too far into this though, I wish to create the point that the two certificates I mentioned about solid boards apply here too. Start Looking for the logo from the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative on almost any timber product You Purchase.
BR111 Hardwood Flooring
Tarakan Teak – $7
Engineered wood flooring can be resistant to moisture and also have a tendency to be more stable. While no timber product can tolerate water status on it, the greater moisture levels over concrete are not an issue for many engineered wood flooring.
The secret to this increased stability and moisture tolerance comes from just how an engineered wood floor is made.
vtpf.com
This photograph shows a cross section of a high quality, engineered wood floor. They range in thickness in 3/8″ into 3/4″ (that is roughly 1 cm to 2 cm). The top layer is a veneer of the desired wood; the thicker which veneer is, the more expensive the floor will be.
When this top veneer is extremely thin (.6mm or so) the consequent floor cannot be refinished should that be required. However, once the top veneer is between 2 mm and 6 mm, it can be refinished several occasions.
The layers in the buildup underneath the veneer surface are important and also play a role in the final cost. There can be anywhere between three and 12 layers of plywood and unfinished white timber, depending on the thickness and quality of the completed product.
When you’re searching for an engineered wood floor, pay attention to how it’s made indoors nearly as far as you pay attention to how the top coating seems.
Paul Anater
The various thicknesses exist so engineered wood floors can be utilised in many different programs without awkward transitions between different flooring materials.
The most frequent transitions people have difficulty bridging are places between a tile kitchen or bathtub floor and the rest of the house. By utilizing an engineered wood floor in a renovation, you can get rid of the need for large transition trimming and strips down doors.
Paul Anater
Engineered wood floors were created to be used over concrete slabs, but the thicker, more 3/4″-thick (2 cm) models can be nailed down above a wood subfloor, the same way you would install a plank floor.
If you’re able to save yourself some money when you are building or renovating a frame house by purchasing a quality engineered timber floor, do it. No one will know but you. Nailing down any timber floor is a project best left to the pros. Seriously.
Phoenix Organics
Engineered wood floors thinner compared to 3/4″ (2 cm) can be glued down, similar to how you’d glue down a vinyl or springy floor. Gluing down an engineered wood floor is a project a do-it-yourselfer can usually take on provided he or she’s a lot of time and a reasonable amount of experience with DIY projects. It can make more sense to get it installed, but there is a ton of information out there to the motivated.
Armstrong
The brand new, thinnest engineered flooring utilize an innovative tongue-and-groove system which protects them in position. These thin flooring (generally called floating flooring ) can be placed above a cork underlayment or directly over an older floor.
Though it will require some skill, floating flooring are the simplest to install. But before you try to do this all on your own, make certain that you have access to a table saw and chop saw — and also know how to use them.
BR111 Hardwood Flooring
If sustainability is a priority of yours, engineered wood floors have a tendency to be a more sustainable option. This is especially true if you are considering an exotic timber. The exotic trees which need to be harvested to create, say, a Rosewood floor go a lot farther if a 6mm-thick veneer is happening each board.
There’s a good deal of sustainability innovation that is applicable to the sublayers too, so do your homework and search for those FSC and SFI logos on anything you buy.
BR111 Hardwood Flooring
A engineered wood floor will last from 20 to 100 years, depending on the thickness of of the top veneer. The top engineered wood flooring available will last as long and perform in addition to a plank floor, another consideration to remember is how long you want this material to last.
Using a high quality, long-lasting engineered wood floor won’t affect your resale value, but utilizing a cheap one will.
Paul Anater
The qualities of the timber which ends up on the surface will always play into the durability and resilience of an engineered wood floor, though the result is moderated somewhat. Nevertheless, a Brazilian Cherry engineered wood floor will always hold up to more than the usual North American walnut floor will. Deciding on an engineered option you may save yourself money and get a more stable and adaptable flooring solution.
Engineered wood floors
Pros: may be used in places wood plank flooring can not be used; could be much more sustainable option; often cost less than solid boards.
Cons: Cheap versions of the item won’t last very long. Beware of low rates.
Suggested uses: Anywhere you would use a plank floor, also previously – and – below-grade locations.
Cost range: $3-$18 per square foot.
More:
An Intro to Solid Plank Wood Floors
Laminate Floors: Get the Look of Wood (and much more ) for Less
Zebra, Tiger and Teak Wood, Oh, My!
5 Sophisticated Wood Floors
20 Great Cases of Transitions in Flooring
How to Shop for a Tile Floor