What is engineered wood flooring

But this similarity breaks down upon close inspection. With its foam underlayment and synthetic core, laminate flooring feels soft—almost springy—underfoot. The wear layer is smooth and comfortable under bare feet or socks but can be slippery under heels. Engineered flooring and laminate flooring are equal when it comes to cleaning and maintenance, since both are fairly delicate surfaces that should never be wet mopped.

The smartest way to maintain both types of flooring is to use a dry broom or dry mop for as much of the cleaning as possible. Avoid steamers and wet mops. Never use harsh, ammonia-based cleaning products. If you need to apply liquid to the surfaces, squeeze out the mop as thoroughly as possible until it feels nearly dry to the touch. Engineered Flooring Premium engineered flooring with a thick veneer can last as long as 20 to 50 years, or even longer when properly cared for. Some types of laminate flooring, if well-maintained and installed in a dry environment, can last as long as 15 to 20 years.

Engineered Flooring Engineered flooring traditionally requires either nail-down or glue-down installations. Some newer forms of engineered flooring can be installed by click-lock joinery, with no need to attach to the subfloor. However, since these floors do have real wood veneer, yet use HDF as a core, they are closer to laminate flooring than to true engineered hardwood flooring. Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring is far easier to install than engineered hardwood flooring.

As a floating floor, laminate boards attach only side-to-side, and never to the subfloor or underlayment. Laminate boards are easy to cut with a hand saw or even with a utility knife.

Few types of floor covering are good in high moisture environments. If yours is a highly trafficked house with plenty of people and pets, engineered flooring and laminate flooring are both good choices, as they are both durable in different ways. Though engineered flooring can scratch and gouge, its veneer can be lightly sanded to remove minor scratches.

Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring can be laid in semi-moist environments as long as the boards are tightly seamed. If water is permitted to migrate between the seams, the lower fiberboard core will swell. After it is dried out, laminate flooring will not contract to its original shape.

Laminate flooring can never be sanded. Repairs are difficult if not impossible. Replacing damaged laminate with new laminate boards is usually the best course for repairs. Engineered Flooring With its proven quality and good looks, engineered hardwood flooring can easily maintain or even increase the value of your property.

If your house has a traditional or classic appearance, engineered flooring will fit right in—buyers will recognize this. Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring manufacturers have done much to raise the quality and stature of their product over the last few decades. Premium-quality laminate flooring can, at best, maintain or even slightly raise the value of a home.

For a floor covering that looks exactly like solid hardwood, but is easier to maintain, engineered flooring is your best choice. If you are looking to save money on your floor covering, laminate flooring is a better choice than engineered hardwood flooring, especially when coupled with self-installation. Depending on the thickness of the veneer that tops the flooring, the quality of flooring used, and how well you maintain your floors, engineered hardwood can last a lifetime.

All 3 factors play a big role in determining the longevity of any floor in your home. Our Floorcraft engineered hardwood adds performance, style, and value to your home, and with our impressive options, you can choose from any design, such as sleek and smooth, or rustic and scraped.

Due to innovative manufacturing techniques, engineered hardwood can be installed in any room in your home, including your basement and bathrooms, as long as there are no extreme moisture issues and a protective moisture barrier is installed.

Less expensive than hardwood, selecting engineered hardwood will allow you to install this excellent flooring style in multiple rooms. Engineered hardwood contains a top layer of solid wood, while laminate flooring has a photographic layer coated with a wear-layer that appears to look like a wood surface.

Because they do have a top layer of hardwood, like solid hardwood, they are susceptible to scratches. If scratch resistance is important to you, look for engineered hardwood floors with a scratch-resistant top coat. Small scratches on engineered hardwood can be repaired a wax repair kit or a cotton cloth and some rubbing alcohol. Hard wearing engineered wood flooring can be used in most areas of the home including dining and living rooms, hallways, kitchens and bedrooms.

If you are choosing your floor for the kitchen or hallway, we recommend a lacquer finish as it is easier to maintain and is better at resisting spills and marks than an oiled floor. If your home has water or electric under floor heating, then engineered wood is completely safe and suitable for use as its stable enough to withstand temperatures of up to 27 degrees.

However, when turning on the underfloor heating for the first time, or after a prolong period of being turned off, increase the temperature gradually over a period of days so that the floor can acclimatise to the change. Engineered wood flooring is suitable for the following rooms: kitchens , living rooms , dining rooms , hallways , bedrooms and conservatories. That should be everything you need to know about engineered wood flooring from UK Flooring Direct, but if you have any more questions you can call one of our Flooring Experts on who will be able to help you on the journey to finding your perfect floor.

Javascript is disabled on your browser. To view this site, you must enable JavaScript or upgrade to a JavaScript-capable browser. Hundreds of floors available. Unlimited free next-day samples. Cash and credit terms. Exclusive trade discounts. Flooring advice What Is Engineered Flooring. October 1st, How durable are wood floors? How to install engineered wood flooring With a machined profile, click systems make it easy to join each board to the next. The look of engineered wood flooring The look of engineered wood flooring depends on four main aspects; the species of wood, the grade of the grain, surface finish and the size of the plank.

How to maintain engineered wood flooring Engineered wood flooring makes a great investment and while most floors from UK Flooring Direct will last for decades if cared for and looked after properly.