More About Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered planks looks just like solid wood, only it is made up of multiple layers. There is a base layer, core layers and then a top layer also known as a veneer. This makes these floors remarkably durability when compared to solid wood flooring.

The top layer is always made from solid wood. This is what provides the floor with its real wood appearance. However, it is the core and base layers which differ from its real wood counterpart.

The core of the planks can either consist of multi-ply or 3-ply construction. With multi-ply floors, they feature several plywood layers which make up the core of the floor. The 3-ply floors on the other hand only contain three layers in total, with a single, rather than multiple, core layer. This means, if you’re looking for durability, the multi-ply engineered wood floors are the better option.

Its unique layered construction means this flooring is more stable and less prone to warping than solid wood. For this reason, it can typically be installed with underfloor heating, adding to its comfort in colder weather. You’ll also find engineered wood floors are easier to install than solid wood products. 

The majority of engineered planks boast a solid oak veneer. However, you’ll also find walnut, maple and beech varieties. Each will impact how the floor looks in the home, alongside the type of finish they utilise. 

Different Finishes

The type of finish you choose for the floor will impact its overall looks. There are a lot of types of finishes available. Learn more about each one below…

Bespoke – Bespoke finished floors are made to your own specifications. They can be adjusted to match your own measurements, finish and species of wood. The majority of our bespoke floors are made from oak due to its versatility. Choose this finish if you want to have full control over the finished product.

Brushed – Brushed floors offer a rustic design. The surface of the wood is brushed to reveal the harsh grains underneath. They contain more knots and shading than other finishes. This creates a luxurious effect. The brushed effect today is mostly achieved through machinery. If you’re looking for an affordable yet luxurious look, a brushed floor is ideal.

Brushed and lacquered – You can also choose to have a brushed and lacquered finish. These floors have a rustic design, with a smooth finish. The lacquer protects the surface while adding a shiny appearance. This creates a more modern looking floor. They also require little maintenance and will hide scratches and signs of wear and tear easily.

Brushed and oiled – Brushed floors can also come with an oiled surface. This produces a more natural look than lacquer. The oil seeps through the surface and protects it from within, ensuring a long-lasting finish. You get the same rustic effect, only with a protective, tough coating.

Distressed – Out of all of the different types of finishes, distressed provides the most striking look. These floors appear to be worn away and they feature a textured surface. Most distressed floors are created from rustic grade wood, so they have an antique style appearance.

Handscraped – If you want a luxurious looking engineered wood floor, the Handscraped finish is a great choice. It is very similar to a brushed finish, only it has been scraped by hand. This means that no two planks will ever be the same. The floors provide a rustic feel to the room and they are slightly more expensive than the brushed varieties.

Handscraped and lacquered – You can also purchase Handscraped flooring with a lacquered finish. This gives the floor a glossy, sophisticated look. The lacquer really protects the Handscraped surface, ensuring it doesn’t easily get worn away.

Lacquered – With lacquered flooring, you can choose from matt or satin lacquer. Both provide a shiny surface and excellent protection against wear and tear.

Matt lacquered engineered wood floors provide a similar finish to oiled and waxed floors. They are resistant against scratches and everyday wear and tear, alongside being fade resistant. Satin lacquered floors provide a slightly glossy look. This gives it a smooth appearance, while also protecting the surface against scratches and wear and tear.

Oiled – Oiled finishes provide the most natural looking finish. It does need to be reapplied more frequently than lacquered flooring. However, you’ll find this typically needs to be done once every 10 years or so, depending upon how much wear and tear it is exposed to. This type of finish also doesn’t provide the same level of protection as lacquered flooring. This means it is best used in low traffic areas.

Unfinished – This type of engineered wood flooring allows you to apply your own finish. This gives you great flexibility over how it looks and performs. When choosing the type of finish for your engineered wood floor, consider how you want it to look, alongside how durable you need it to be. You’ll find unfinished floors are generally the cheapest option due to the cost of having to finish them yourself.

These are the different types of finishes you can choose from. Make sure to really think about what type of finish you need before buying. Each has its own set of pros and cons to keep in mind. 

Different Grades

As well as being able to choose from a variety of finishes, you can also select different grades. The most common grades available include:

• Rustic
• Prime

Rustic grade planks tend to have a natural, striking effect. The wood features beautiful imperfections for a truly authentic look. These types of floors help you to produce a more country cottage feel to the home and it’s one of the most popular grades chosen by homeowners.

Prime grade floors aren’t as common, but they provide an unrivalled high-quality appearance. They contain few imperfections, producing a much smoother look. They boast a contemporary feel, making them ideal for those seeking a more modern wood effect.

Where Can It Be Used?

Engineered wooden floors can be used in most areas of the home. As they aren’t prone to the same level of warping and damage as solid wood flooring, they can be installed in the kitchen provided they are well maintained.

Although they are more moisture resistant than solid wood, it is still worth avoiding using them in bathrooms and other high-moisture areas. The most common areas to use this type of flooring include the lounge, dining room, bedroom and hallway. 

Installing Engineered Floors

Unlike solid wood, engineered planks tend to come with a click system. This makes them easy to just slot them into place. Some do feature a tongue and groove system which can be a little trickier to install. However, most find they can still do it themselves.

We only supply flooring from the most prestigious brands in the industry. These include KAHRS, Parador, Linton and Kersaint Cobb. We pride ourselves on offering engineered wood floors at the cheapest prices in the UK.