Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered Wood is very widely used for a contemporary feel; it is very popular in new properties due to the sub floors and with developers. The boards are available in a wide variety of finishes and are manufactured so are available in longer and wider lengths than solid boards.

An engineered board is made up of a top layer of solid hardwood bonded to a plywood base. Cross ply birch is the best option, the plywood is made up of approximately 2mm slices of hardwood and bonded together in presses under high pressure. The best boards have a 14mm to 15mm plywood back The top layer is then bonded to the ply in the same manor and then dried to ensure that the moisture of the boards are consistent.  The top layer or wood veneer can be anywhere between 4mm to 6mm and the thicker the layer the better.

Advantages / disadvantages of Engineered Wood

Advantages - Engineered boards do not expand and contract as much as solids. They can be used over under floor heating, can be fitted as a floating floor or secret nailed or glued and is less prone to moisture.

Disadvantages - None really but always better to buy the boards with a thicker birch ply base and a thicker veneer.

Variations of Wood Finishes for Engineered Wood Flooring