What is engineered timber flooring: Pros and cons
When choosing timber flooring, engineered wood is one of the most common types used these days. It is an economical alternative to conventional hardwood and is easier to install. Here’s everything you need to know about engineered timber flooring in Melbourne.
What is engineered timber flooring?
Engineered wood is natural but more stable and flexible than traditional hardwood. It is made of multiple layers of hybrid wood materials glued and pressed against each other. Using the tongue and groove method, the inner core consists of hard or soft plywood. Whereas, the top layer consists of thick hardwood.
Advantages and disadvantages of engineered timber flooring
Compared to conventional timber flooring, such as European oak timber flooring in Melbourne, engineered timber flooring has many advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore the pros and cons of engineering wood flooring!
Pros of engineered wood flooring:
· Low environmental impact
Rather than just certain portions, engineered timber floors use all parts of the trees they are crafted from. This dramatically reduces waste in the manufacturing process. Plus, the top layer of engineered flooring is crafted from resource-intensive hardwood materials. These materials are obtained from trees that grow quickly in a farm setting.
· Pre-finished wood
Another great benefit of engineered wood flooring is that it comes pre-finished with a protective layer to help it survive daily wear and tear. This means you can lay the engineered wood floor without additional interventions.
· Quick and easy installation
Installing a solid hardwood floor requires specialty tools and can take over a week to complete. On the other hand, engineered wood floorboards can be laid in mere hours. No need to replace or refinish your entire floor. They don’t require any specialised expertise and are easy to repair.
· No swelling or warping
Because of the way engineered wood is manufactured, the flooring is not susceptible to warping and swelling. It is compatible with under-floor heating and easily installed over concrete subfloors.
Cons of engineered timber flooring
· Limited resurfacing
Due to the veneer layer, engineered timber floors can only be sanded and refinished quickly. Some of them can’t be refinished more than once.
· High-level maintenance
Since the top layer of engineered wood flooring is hardwood, it requires active maintenance to retain its quality. It would be best to take care of everything from fading and scratches to dents and other common issues associated with your timber flooring in Melbourne.
· Low-quality core
Although the engineered wood planks look like solid oak, they are made up of layers of inferior wood. These internal layers often consist of oriented strand board (OBS). This can make engineered wood flooring less durable to heavy weights and impacts.
The bottom line
If you are on a tight budget and want something environmentally friendly without sacrificing the timeless aesthetic of Merbau timber flooring in Melbourne, choose engineered wood flooring. Besides its cons, engineered wood is a great flooring solution at the best prices. I hope you are clear enough to make your next flooring decision.
