Once you have installed a hardwood flooring, it is difficult to tell whether it is a sold plank floor or engineered flooring. In fact, both types of floors can help bring a natural look to your home, it could be quite difficult for even trained eyes to tell the difference. Engineered wooden floors work differently – they are easier to install and usually cost less. Some of the main reasons for choosing engineered flooring are described as following:
1. Stronger Resistance to Wear
An engineered wooden floor has multiple layers, one over the other in cross structure. It is because of this unique structure that this type of flooring receives its durability and strength. Its top layer is technically known as the “Wear Layer” and is made up of solid hardwood. Relatively cheaper engineered floors will have this layer made up of different strips of wood.
A higher quality engineered wood floor will have a wear layer made up of a single layer, which is made from a single section of timber. When choosing a board, check them for the thickness of their wear layer.
2. More Stability
Another factor that makes engineered flooring a better option is the under-core – the part of the board constructed under the hardwood. This part of the floor ensures higher stability. The best quality boards have multi-laminate hardwood ply, which adds additional strength because of its cross-layer construction. Even a relatively cheaper engineered wooden floor will have a block-board kind of under core with a couple of layers.
3. Versatility
Engineered Hardwood flooring is available in pre-treated or untreated finish. The advantage of choosing pre-treated floors is that they are already finished at the factory. You will not have to spend your time and effort in finishing them. On the other hand, you could choose untreated flooring to
create your own custom finish.
Pre-treated boards are well protected against damages. You will not have to worry about any marks or scratches. You can lay these engineered floors as such without the need for further treatment.
Additional Benefits of Engineered Wood Floors
There are many more benefits of choosing engineered wood floors over simple solid planks. They are more resistant to moisture. It should be known that a wooden floor can never be 100% resistant to water, but this type of floor is much better compared to other options, including solid wood floors and concrete.
Another reason for choosing engineered flooring is that they are available in different sizes and thicknesses. You can always find something in the required size and thickness for different rooms and different applications. In other words, there will be no need to worry about asymmetry between different floors.
Pre-treated engineered wood is much more sustainable and long lasting. They can have a thick layer of lacquer or veneer and you will never have to worry about anything going wrong with the underlying wood surface. Thus, there are many reasons for choosing engineered floor over almost any other type of floors including solid wood floors.
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