Engineered Wood Timber Flooring

Engineered flooring comprises several timber layers stuck to one another using high pressures. This method of construction helps in creating wooden flooring, which boasts higher strength and durability compared to a wooden floor of solid material. Most solid floorings have a tendency to shrink as well as expand. This happens because of room humidity changes, changing room temperature as well as moisture in the sub-floor. Engineered flooring can prevent such problems from occurring.

As people's tastes vary so do the shades and colour spectrum of the products on offer starting from light white varieties right through to dark black engineered timber flooring. We have unfinished, rustic, prime and natural style products - there are lots to browse.

Construction of Engineered Timber Flooring

Most solid floorings have a tendency to shrink as well as expand. This happens because of room humidity changes, changing room temperature as well as moisture in the sub-floor.  Because of its unique construction method, engineered timber flooring isn't prone to these problems.

Engineered timber flooring comprises three different layers - bottom layer, middle core and top layer. The mid core is made from plywood, softwood or even HDF layers and the top layer is hardwood. Its thickness ranges between 0.7 mm to around 6 mm.

Advantages of Engineered Timber Flooring

Engineered flooring has several advantages, the biggest being easy installation. Using the floating floor method easy click installation is possible with these products, which is probably the fastest and easiest option.

Alternatively tongue and grooves can be stuck together which is an advantage when you are installing your floor on a concrete subfloor. Even floors of thicknesses having 22 mm can provide proper structure and these are nailed into the battens or joists.

The top layer has a finish of matte lacquer, satin lacquer, oiled, brushed and lacquered, brushed and oiled or age distressed. Your choice with these will come down to personal preference. Six coats of this finish can be easily provided.

The layer of hardwood varies in thickness from 0.7 mm to around 6 mm and the middle core area is designed to help the flooring retain its shape and stability.

A variety of materials such as hardwood, softwood or HDF can be used for the mid core section. There is an additional layer of stabilizing agents provided, of 1 mm thickness. This provides stability and prevents flooring movement because of changes in temperature or humidity.

Engineered Timber Flooring Looks As Good As Solid Timber

Because the top layer of engineered timber flooring is similar to solid floors there are no compromises in terms of style because the finish is the same.

Engineered flooring is designed to resemble hardwood so you will also find the same great selection of species, shades and colours as you would with solid wood.

What Different Types Of Species Of Engineered Timber Flooring Are Available?

We have a very wide range of different species of timber along with a variety of types available.

These include very popular oak, ash, beech, walnut and pine as well as a warm shade of cherry, light coloured maple and a beautiful merbau with hints of gold. It is easy to choose from the species you want by using the filter tabs on our product pages on the left hand side.

How Thick is the Veneer of Hardwood?

The hardwood veneer is the topmost layer of engineered flooring. It ranges in thickness between 0.6 mm to around 6 mm.

This particular part of the floor offers high durability, just like any solid flooring, and the other layers mean that it is even stronger. The wear layer has thicknesses around 4-8 mm located above the groove and tongue.

Is Refinishing Possible?

Most hardwood layers are not refinished, however, this does not mean that it can't be done. The possibility of refinishing depends on the hardwood thickness.

Using high quality techniques all damaged regions are eliminated professionally. As much as 0.5 mm thickness can be removed with sanding. However, the upper wear layer should never reduce more than 0.5 mm as you risk damaging your floor.

Can It Be Placed Above Underfloor Heating?

Underfloor heating can restrict the type of flooring that you choose because many products should not be installed with it.

However with engineered timber flooring it is possible to have underfloor heating as long as certain guidelines are followed.

Proper heat distribution layers are required so that the temperature is even across the floor and the surface temperature should not rise above 27 degrees celsius.

The entire floor needs to be heated and your floor construction should include a vapour barrier close to the wood. There must not be any gaps between the underlying surface and the wood but if you are unsure about anything concerning engineered flooring and underfloor heating then please make further inquiries.

Do I Need Flooring Underlay With An Engineered Wood Timber Floor?

This all depends on the type of sub-floor that you are going to use.

Some form of underlay must always be used on an engineered timber click system product, it supports the joints and prolongs the life of your flooring.

Underlay should also be used if you choose to float a tongue and grooved engineered floor by glueing the joints, if you are fully glueing down then no underlay should be used.

If you are pinning the floor with nails or screws then underlay can be used if you want, for instance, sound insulation in the room, or the levelling properties, which underlay can provide, not to mention the damp proof flooring membrane (required for a concrete sub-floor).

If you do chose to use underlay then be aware that you will need underlay designed for use with underfloor heating.