How Is Engineered Wood Flooring Made?

How engineered wood floors are designed makes them impeccably strong and durable. Their unique construction also ensures the floors are resistant to changes in humidity and temperature.

When it comes to the construction of engineered wood flooring, there are three different methods which can be used. They can also be designed with varying edging details which further impacts the aesthetics of the floor.

Here, you will discover more about the different construction types and species engineered wooden floors are made with and how it affects the flooring.

HDF Engineered Planks

Some of our engineered floors feature an HDF, or High-Density Fibreboard, construction. This makes the floors more affordable, although it doesn’t sacrifice on quality. The top layer is still made from solid wood, and the HDF makes the surface much more resilient against impact. The only thing to be aware of with HDF construction is that it isn’t suitable for use in high-moisture areas.

Multi-Ply Engineered Planks

The most common type of construction used in engineered wooden flooring is Multi-Ply. This means the planks are made with tightly fused plywood layers. A solid wood veneer is then placed on the top.

Due to how many layers are used to make up the construction of Multi-Ply engineered flooring, you’ll find it’s the toughest type of floor available.

It also means the floor can be installed with numerous types of subfloor, as well as with compatible underfloor heating systems.

Three-Ply Engineered Planks

Three Ply engineered flooring is similar to Multi-Ply, only using three layers in total. There’s the solid wood veneer, followed by two layers of either softwood or plywood. As it does feature fewer layers, you’ll find the three-ply constructed engineered floors are cheaper than Multi-Ply.

Although these floors are slightly weaker than Multi-Ply, they are still resilient against changes in moisture.

Alongside the construction of engineered wood floors, you’ll want to familiarise yourself with the different plank dimensions available. They can impact the durability of the floor, alongside how it looks when it has been installed.

Hopefully, you are more familiar with the construction of engineered wooden planks and can make a better decision of which is best suited for you.

What are the Different Species of Engineered Wood Flooring?

There are several different species of wood used to create engineered wood flooring. Not only do the various species look different, they also boast numerous other differences too. Below, we reveal the key things to know about each species of engineered wood flooring available to buy in our collection.

Engineered Walnut Flooring

Walnut engineered wood floors tend to have a more prominent and diverse design. They boast a beautiful dark colouration, helping to add character and warmth into the space. It features unique knots and grain patterns which can be either irregular or linear in design. The darker colour means the wood will fade over time when exposed to high levels of natural sunlight.

Engineered Oak Flooring

Oak is the most common species used to create both solid wood and engineered wood flooring. It boasts a traditional design, identified by its looping and straight grain patterns. Oak engineered floors come in a vast choice of designs and finishes to suit any environment. When you invest in an oak floor, you can rest assured it’s going to last for many years to come.

Engineered Maple Flooring

Engineered maple floors have a beautiful almost creamy look, helping to create a chic and luxurious feel in the home. They are great for creating a more traditional feel and boast remarkable durability. If you’re looking for a floor that will provide the same aesthetic beauty as oak along with a more unique design, maple engineered floors are a great choice.

Engineered Cherry Flooring

If you’re looking for something a little more exotic, our range of cherry engineered wood floors are ideal. Featuring beautiful red and brown shades, these floors have a warm and welcoming design. It is also one of the hardest woods available, guaranteeing exceptional durability.

Engineered Wood Plank Edge Explained

A smaller detail of engineered wood flooring you might not have considered, is the edge detailing. Although it forms a small part of the plank design, it makes a surprisingly big difference to how it looks once installed. Read on to learn more about the different types of edging and how it affects the overall look of the floor.

Beveled Edge Planks

The most common edge detail found on engineered wood floors is the beveled edge profile. This means the planks have a little groove between them. Once installed, these grooves perfectly hide any gaps between the planks, creating a more uniformed finish. This type of edge detail provides the most natural look.

Square Edge Planks

Some of our engineered wood floors come with a square edge profile. This means rather than having a groove between the planks, they simply fit closer together. Once installed, the planks blend into one another to create a seamless, professional finish. Square edge floors tend to have a more formal and simplistic appearance, perfect for contemporary style homes.

Engineered Wood Flooring Grades Explained

Solid wood has a number of natural details such as grain patterns, knots and shading. However, did you know that there are different grades of wood which can be used in engineered wood flooring? Each grade has a slightly differing look and quality.

Rustic Grade

Our rustic engineered wood floors are extremely popular with our customers. They feature a lot more knots and other natural imperfections, along with a greater variety of shading. This means rustic floors have a much more natural design, adding luxury and charm into the home.

Distressed Grade

If you’re looking for a more unique engineered floor, look out for our distressed grade products. The wood has been treated to create a worn, aged appearance using a colour wash, stain and embossing oil. Due to their unique aged appearance, distressed floors would go especially well in areas with high foot traffic. They will easily hide any signs of daily wear and tear.

Prime/Select Grade

Our prime or select grade engineered floors are the highest quality floors you can invest in. The wood features very few imperfections, providing a much smoother, fresher and uniformed appearance. If you have a contemporary style home, this grade of wood will fit in perfectly.

Engineered Wood Plank Dimensions

Selecting the right dimensions when you’re buying an engineered wood floor is important. Although it doesn’t affect the quality of the flooring, the measurements of the floor can impact its overall look and durability. Here, you’ll discover more about the different engineered wood plank dimensions in order to help you make the right purchasing decision.

Plank Length

The length of the floor makes a difference to both its installation and appearance. Longer planks may need to be cut down to size during installation and they’re typically suitable for larger rooms. Some of our engineered wood floors come with planks of a variety of lengths, allowing for much easier installation.

Plank Width

Like the length of the planks, the width can also impact how the floor looks. You’ll need to think about the room you’re installing the floor into. If it’s quite a large room, you’ll want to opt for wider planks. If it’s a smaller room on the other hand, narrower planks would be the better option. Our engineered wood floors come in a variety of widths ranging from 50mm to over 400mm.

Plank Thickness

Out of all of the dimensions, the depth is one of the most important. This establishes how solid and durable the floor is. While all of our engineered floors come with generous warranties, some are much more resistant to wear and tear than others. The thicker the planks, the more stable they’ll be.

You’ll also find thicker planks can be sanded down a lot more, enabling you to extend their lifespan. Although thicker planks are stronger, there may be instances where you need a thinner plank design. This is something you’ll need to consider when deciding which thickness to invest in. Our engineered floors are available in thicknesses which measure from 7mm to an impressive 30mm.

You can browse our engineered floors here.