Floor Show: The Lowdown on Engineered Wood
Engineered wood flooring is a popular and practical choice in homes. But how do you choose the right type for you?
If you want the look and feel of solid wood floors without the associated cost and maintenance, engineered wood is a smart choice. However, as with all wood floors, there are practicalities to consider before you start. Here, four experts answer some essential questions.
Professional advice from Amanda Couzens-Davies of Ted Todd Hardwood Floors I Charlie Mil-Homens of 123Floor I Harvey Booth of Kährs I Peter Keane of The Natural Wood Floor Company
Professional advice from Amanda Couzens-Davies of Ted Todd Hardwood Floors I Charlie Mil-Homens of 123Floor I Harvey Booth of Kährs I Peter Keane of The Natural Wood Floor Company
How much does engineered wood cost?
Prices are driven by a number of factors. Wide boards generally cost more than narrow boards; thicker boards are typically more expensive than thinner ones.
“Price is also influenced by the process the wood goes through,” says Mil-Homens. “Wood can now be sandblasted to make it look worn, fumed to give it a much deeper, more luscious colour, or distressed by getting a bicycle chain and literally beating it.”
Where you buy your engineered wood flooring also affects its price. Ethically sourced wood from well-established brands will cost you more. In return, you can expect a higher-quality product with a better finish, plus a generous guarantee of around 20 years.
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Prices are driven by a number of factors. Wide boards generally cost more than narrow boards; thicker boards are typically more expensive than thinner ones.
“Price is also influenced by the process the wood goes through,” says Mil-Homens. “Wood can now be sandblasted to make it look worn, fumed to give it a much deeper, more luscious colour, or distressed by getting a bicycle chain and literally beating it.”
Where you buy your engineered wood flooring also affects its price. Ethically sourced wood from well-established brands will cost you more. In return, you can expect a higher-quality product with a better finish, plus a generous guarantee of around 20 years.
How to Get the Look of Timber Without the Cost of Solid Wood
What does the guarantee cover?
Wood is a natural product, so you have to come to terms with the fact that it will mark (although you can protect it by putting felt pads underneath furniture and trying not to drag heavy items around).
“Be aware that the guarantee does not cover everyday wear and tear, such as scratching. However, if the solid wood elements come away from the backing, for example, it’s covered,” Mil-Homens advises.
Wood is a natural product, so you have to come to terms with the fact that it will mark (although you can protect it by putting felt pads underneath furniture and trying not to drag heavy items around).
“Be aware that the guarantee does not cover everyday wear and tear, such as scratching. However, if the solid wood elements come away from the backing, for example, it’s covered,” Mil-Homens advises.
What do I need to know about finishes?
Engineered wood floors are generally available either oiled or lacquered. There are pros and cons to both.
Choosing an oiled finish gives your floor a beautiful natural look, but it can be stained by spills. A lacquered finish is less susceptible to staining and will preserve the colour of the floor for longer. “The downside of lacquer is that if you scratch it, the whole floor needs to be sanded and re-lacquered,” says Mil-Homens.
Most of Mil-Homens’s customers choose a natural-coloured wood for their floor with an oiled or UV-oiled finish. “If you buy a stained floor, unless the manufacturer is prepared to give you a small pot of the stain, it’s harder for you to do repairs, irrespective of whether it’s oiled or lacquered,” he points out.
“Fortunately, if you scratch a natural-coloured oiled floor, more often than not you haven’t actually damaged the floor, you’ve just taken the oil off the top. This means all you have to do is buy a small pot of natural oil, put it on a rag and go over the scratch until it’s gone,” he continues.
“Or, if your oiled floor is looking a little dry in five years’ time, you can give it a new lease on life with a fresh coat of oil. Use a roller and go with the grain of the plank. You don’t need to sand the floor down first.”
Engineered wood floors are generally available either oiled or lacquered. There are pros and cons to both.
Choosing an oiled finish gives your floor a beautiful natural look, but it can be stained by spills. A lacquered finish is less susceptible to staining and will preserve the colour of the floor for longer. “The downside of lacquer is that if you scratch it, the whole floor needs to be sanded and re-lacquered,” says Mil-Homens.
Most of Mil-Homens’s customers choose a natural-coloured wood for their floor with an oiled or UV-oiled finish. “If you buy a stained floor, unless the manufacturer is prepared to give you a small pot of the stain, it’s harder for you to do repairs, irrespective of whether it’s oiled or lacquered,” he points out.
“Fortunately, if you scratch a natural-coloured oiled floor, more often than not you haven’t actually damaged the floor, you’ve just taken the oil off the top. This means all you have to do is buy a small pot of natural oil, put it on a rag and go over the scratch until it’s gone,” he continues.
“Or, if your oiled floor is looking a little dry in five years’ time, you can give it a new lease on life with a fresh coat of oil. Use a roller and go with the grain of the plank. You don’t need to sand the floor down first.”
Is it possible to have an unfinished floor?
While most people prefer to buy pre-finished engineered wood flooring, you can have your floors finished at home. Ask your fitter or do it yourself. While it’s labour-intensive – “drying times are between 10 and 12 hours per coat,” says Mil-Homens – there’s a large range of oils and lacquers to choose from, so you’ll be able to get the exact look and feel you want.
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While most people prefer to buy pre-finished engineered wood flooring, you can have your floors finished at home. Ask your fitter or do it yourself. While it’s labour-intensive – “drying times are between 10 and 12 hours per coat,” says Mil-Homens – there’s a large range of oils and lacquers to choose from, so you’ll be able to get the exact look and feel you want.
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Can I use engineered wood flooring in my bathroom?
There are two schools of thought when it comes to putting engineered wood in the bathroom. Amanda Couzens-Davies of Ted Todd Hardwood Floors says it’s a myth that it can’t be used. “A good-quality engineered wood floor should not only be able to cope with a lot of foot traffic, but as long as you clean up any spills straight away, it should stay looking good, providing you use the correct cleaning and maintenance products,” she says.
However, in bathrooms, you need to ensure you have plenty of ventilation and good bath mats, so water doesn’t sit on the floor.
The finish of the floor is also important. “You should choose a sealed board rather than one that’s natural oiled or has a hard wax finish,” Couzens-Davies explains.
Asked the same question, Mil-Homens says that wood – be that solid or engineered – does not sit well in environments where there’s excess moisture, heat and condensation. “If your bathroom has either a bath or shower, the wood will expand and warp,” he says. “You should ideally be looking to tiles or alternatives such as vinyl.”
There are two schools of thought when it comes to putting engineered wood in the bathroom. Amanda Couzens-Davies of Ted Todd Hardwood Floors says it’s a myth that it can’t be used. “A good-quality engineered wood floor should not only be able to cope with a lot of foot traffic, but as long as you clean up any spills straight away, it should stay looking good, providing you use the correct cleaning and maintenance products,” she says.
However, in bathrooms, you need to ensure you have plenty of ventilation and good bath mats, so water doesn’t sit on the floor.
The finish of the floor is also important. “You should choose a sealed board rather than one that’s natural oiled or has a hard wax finish,” Couzens-Davies explains.
Asked the same question, Mil-Homens says that wood – be that solid or engineered – does not sit well in environments where there’s excess moisture, heat and condensation. “If your bathroom has either a bath or shower, the wood will expand and warp,” he says. “You should ideally be looking to tiles or alternatives such as vinyl.”
Should I install my engineered wood flooring with underlay?
You don’t always need to install underlay for engineered wood floors. If you choose not to, you’ll have what’s known as a ‘fully bonded’ floor: the engineered wood will be glued directly to the surface below. ‘Floating’ floors have underlay beneath them.
“The thickness of the underlay not only determines noise reduction qualities, but also whether it can be used with underfloor heating,” says Couzens-Davies. “Underlay is available in 2, 3 and 5 millimetre thicknesses. The 2 millimetre underlay is not suitable for use with underfloor heating and has no noise reduction properties. Both the 3 and 5 millimetre can be used with underfloor heating; each has slightly different noise reduction qualities.”
You don’t always need to install underlay for engineered wood floors. If you choose not to, you’ll have what’s known as a ‘fully bonded’ floor: the engineered wood will be glued directly to the surface below. ‘Floating’ floors have underlay beneath them.
“The thickness of the underlay not only determines noise reduction qualities, but also whether it can be used with underfloor heating,” says Couzens-Davies. “Underlay is available in 2, 3 and 5 millimetre thicknesses. The 2 millimetre underlay is not suitable for use with underfloor heating and has no noise reduction properties. Both the 3 and 5 millimetre can be used with underfloor heating; each has slightly different noise reduction qualities.”
Should I use a professional fitter?
In a word – yes. Laying a wood floor may appear simple, but there are lots of factors you need to think about, some of which you may not even be aware of. “Technical issues, such as the moisture content of the sub floor, the relative humidity of the room, and expansion joints all need to be factored in before you even begin to consider aesthetics,” explains Couzens-Davies.
“Floors need to be laid sympathetically to make sure that natural variations in colour, grain texture and knots take into account the visual impact of the floor as a whole and ensure an elegant finish that displays the wood to its best advantage,” she adds.
Herringbone and chevron floors remain popular, and the skills of a professional fitter become even more important when fitting these designs, as even small mistakes can be obvious.
Hardwood floors are an investment, so the cost of a professional fitter is a small price to pay to ensure you get decades of use and enjoyment from your floor.
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In a word – yes. Laying a wood floor may appear simple, but there are lots of factors you need to think about, some of which you may not even be aware of. “Technical issues, such as the moisture content of the sub floor, the relative humidity of the room, and expansion joints all need to be factored in before you even begin to consider aesthetics,” explains Couzens-Davies.
“Floors need to be laid sympathetically to make sure that natural variations in colour, grain texture and knots take into account the visual impact of the floor as a whole and ensure an elegant finish that displays the wood to its best advantage,” she adds.
Herringbone and chevron floors remain popular, and the skills of a professional fitter become even more important when fitting these designs, as even small mistakes can be obvious.
Hardwood floors are an investment, so the cost of a professional fitter is a small price to pay to ensure you get decades of use and enjoyment from your floor.
10 Reasons to Love Parquet Flooring
Does plank size affect how my room looks?
Plank size and the direction the floor is laid can dramatically alter the feel of a room. Wide planks with very little grain detail create the sought-after and sophisticated Scandi look, especially when very pale boards are used. Conversely, skinny boards can create a quirky, more individualistic style.
Just as important to the feel of the room is the direction in which the planks are laid. “Laying planks across the room as you look at it will make the space appear smaller, whereas planks laid down the room will lengthen it. Another alternative is to lay planks diagonally. This is definitely worth considering if there are a number of rooms running off each other, as it can create a natural flow,” advises Couzens-Davies.
“There are also a number of practical considerations to take into account, such as the direction of the joists. Make sure you talk to your flooring company to ensure all these are carefully considered before you fit your floor.”
Plank size and the direction the floor is laid can dramatically alter the feel of a room. Wide planks with very little grain detail create the sought-after and sophisticated Scandi look, especially when very pale boards are used. Conversely, skinny boards can create a quirky, more individualistic style.
Just as important to the feel of the room is the direction in which the planks are laid. “Laying planks across the room as you look at it will make the space appear smaller, whereas planks laid down the room will lengthen it. Another alternative is to lay planks diagonally. This is definitely worth considering if there are a number of rooms running off each other, as it can create a natural flow,” advises Couzens-Davies.
“There are also a number of practical considerations to take into account, such as the direction of the joists. Make sure you talk to your flooring company to ensure all these are carefully considered before you fit your floor.”
How should I take care of my engineered wood floors?
Use the right products for the finish of your floor, advises Couzens-Davies. “Most floors are either lacquered, UV oiled or natural oiled, and all require very different types of cleaning products.”
Sweep often to ensure dirt doesn’t become ingrained, then use cleaning products when required. “The key is not to use too much moisture or let water sit on the surface of the floor,”says Couzens-Davies.
There are also intensive cleaning products to rejuvenate floors, but make sure you get the right one for the finish. Ted Todd has put together two cleaning and maintenance videos, which you can find on its website.
Use the right products for the finish of your floor, advises Couzens-Davies. “Most floors are either lacquered, UV oiled or natural oiled, and all require very different types of cleaning products.”
Sweep often to ensure dirt doesn’t become ingrained, then use cleaning products when required. “The key is not to use too much moisture or let water sit on the surface of the floor,”says Couzens-Davies.
There are also intensive cleaning products to rejuvenate floors, but make sure you get the right one for the finish. Ted Todd has put together two cleaning and maintenance videos, which you can find on its website.
What are the main trends in engineered wood flooring?
“Soft silver, greys and whites are still the must-have colours, while large-scale patterned floors using upsized parquet blocks and chevron panels are also a hot look,” says Peter Keane of The Natural Wood Floor Company.
“In general, we’re seeing a move away from perfect, smooth finishes and a stronger leaning towards heavily brushed surfaces with coarse textures. The rough, irregular surface is an upward trend, as it has such a natural and authentic look and feel. It’s something that fake wood products just can’t replicate.”
Harvey Booth of Kährs notes that parquet wood floors have been given a new spin. “In classic interiors, they reinforce a traditional style, but they’re also great in modern rooms too, where they give a historical stamp and can create an individual, eclectic look.”
Unlike parquet staves, which are glued to the floor piece by piece, the new breed of patterned floors are laid as planks, which is much faster and simpler. “Many also benefit from durable pre-finishes and surface treatments, which add even more interest,” Booth continues.
According to Mil-Homens, the next big thing is to clad your walls in wood. “People want to do something different, so instead of opting for run-of-the-mill paint or wallpaper, they’re being inspired by what’s going on in high-end boutiques and bistros in London.”
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What’s your experience of engineered wood floors? Share your tips in the Comments below. And if you found this story helpful, like it, save it, and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
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“Soft silver, greys and whites are still the must-have colours, while large-scale patterned floors using upsized parquet blocks and chevron panels are also a hot look,” says Peter Keane of The Natural Wood Floor Company.
“In general, we’re seeing a move away from perfect, smooth finishes and a stronger leaning towards heavily brushed surfaces with coarse textures. The rough, irregular surface is an upward trend, as it has such a natural and authentic look and feel. It’s something that fake wood products just can’t replicate.”
Harvey Booth of Kährs notes that parquet wood floors have been given a new spin. “In classic interiors, they reinforce a traditional style, but they’re also great in modern rooms too, where they give a historical stamp and can create an individual, eclectic look.”
Unlike parquet staves, which are glued to the floor piece by piece, the new breed of patterned floors are laid as planks, which is much faster and simpler. “Many also benefit from durable pre-finishes and surface treatments, which add even more interest,” Booth continues.
According to Mil-Homens, the next big thing is to clad your walls in wood. “People want to do something different, so instead of opting for run-of-the-mill paint or wallpaper, they’re being inspired by what’s going on in high-end boutiques and bistros in London.”
Tell us
What’s your experience of engineered wood floors? Share your tips in the Comments below. And if you found this story helpful, like it, save it, and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about flooring
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There are two types of wood flooring on the market: solid wood (on average between 18 and 22 millimetres thick) and engineered wood, which is a thin cut of solid wood compressed onto either soft wood or plywood.
“The best-selling thicknesses of engineered wood are 15, 18 or 21 millimetres,” says Charlie Mil-Homens of 123Floor. “You can expect around 3 to 3.5 millimetres of solid wood on a 15 millimetre engineered wood floor, around 5 millimetres on an 18 millimetre floor, and around 6 millimetres on a 21 millimetre floor.”
Knowing the thickness of the solid part of the wood is important, because it relates to the number of times the floor can be sanded down and refinished. “You can probably sand a 15 millimetre engineered wood floor once,” Mil-Homens says. “An 18 millimetre floor can be sanded two to three times, while a 21 millimetre floor can be sanded three to four times – as much as any solid wood on the market.”