When it comes to choosing quality wood flooring, you either go for solid hardwood or engineered hardwood. Although engineered hardwood appears identical to solid hardwood after installation, the surface of engineered hardwood flooring is only the top layer of a stack of wood veneers glued together to resemble a solid board of wood. The more layers for each floorboard, the higher the quality and the more durable the flooring is.
More consumers are opting for engineered hardwood because of its several advantages:
Structural Advantages :
Engineered wood flooring offers structural advantages for home construction and more design options without sacrificing structural requirements. Engineered wood features real wood, but these are more stable than solid wood flooring and are less prone to buckling, forming gaps, swelling, and contracting compared to standard hardwood flooring types.
With engineered timber flooring, there are no issues of expansion and contraction that causes solid wood cupping or warping. Solid wood flooring moves constantly as the humidity level changes, specifically higher levels of humidity can cause the boards to expand and buckle while lower levels can cause the flooring to shrink and leave gaps in between the boards.
Installation :
Engineered wood panels are easy to work with using ordinary tools and basic skills. They are easy to install and there are a number of DIY projects providing guides on how to install an engineered hardwood floor. They can be cut, drilled, glued, and fastened, among others. It is similar to installing solid wood flooring using glue and nails and the boards can also come with a click system.
Maintenance :
Compared to regular hardwood, engineered hardwood flooring is easy to maintain and less prone to scratching. And since the finish is applied before installation, there is no need to apply any coatings after you have them installed. If the floor gets some unsightly scratches, you can easily sand and refinish your floors.
Maintaining the quality of engineered hardwood flooring is as easy as simply keeping it free from dirt and debris. A good sweep and vacuum dusting twice or thrice a week will keep it clean. Use a damp mop or sponge sparingly and make sure to use only mild soap and water or a floor cleaning product that is made specifically for wooden floors. Wipe spills immediately and make sure that there are no wet spots remaining.
Costs :
The prices of engineered wood flooring are slightly less than solid wood. Ease of installation helps save labor costs. When choosing a stain or wood finish, there are limitless options to the visible or top layer of engineered hardwood. If you wish to refinish your engineered hardwood floors, they may be refinished from time to time.
Considering the above-mentioned advantages, for those opting for this flooring type, Market Timbers gives you engineered timber flooring in Melbourne. With an extensive range of engineered flooring options, consumers can choose from a wide array of colors that include varying hues of black, brown, grey, tan, and white.
Engineered hardwood flooring can come in an array of wood types that come in two categories, specifically domestic or exotic hardwood flooring. Domestic types have a warmer look and feel, and this category includes Red Oak, White Oak, Black Walnut, Beech, Ash, North American Cherry, Hickory, North American Maple, and Alder. Exotic hardwood features different styles of graining and are a bit pricier than the domestic type. Exotic options include Tigerwood, Brazilian Cherry, Teak, Mahogany, Cumaru, African Mahogany, and Patagonian Rosewood.
So, if you’re considering a good quality hardwood flooring, you should think through the benefits of getting engineered wood flooring.
