Engineered flooring is a modern and attractive way of creating a floor, which is simple and quick to install with minimal expertise required. These floors can work with traditional woods like oak, but for those who want a contemporary wood for a modern floor, walnut may fit the bill.
There are several such products available, offering plenty of choice for you if you have decided to opt for walnut floors. These come from three different suppliers: Tarkett, Florence and Panaget.
Walnut Flooring Options
Several varieties of walnut engineered wood flooring exist. Dark walnut floors are a dark wood with a number of lighter features included, providing a pleasing contrast between dark and light, rather like the juxtaposition of milk and white chocolate.
This effect can be enhanced in some cases by having the planks made up of short slats known as a 3 strip formation, which fit together like bricks in a wall, each providing a different look from the plank nearest to it on each side.
Other varieties of walnut flooring also offer combinations of light and dark, which are often displayed through the swirls, rings and knots of contrasting colour, providing a visually striking appearance that make walnut floors stand out.
Engineered Walnut Flooring Finishes
The finishes on walnut floors also vary. You can have a floor that is oiled, or one covered in satin lacquer, or matt lacquer. Each of these will offer extra strength to the surface and the lacquer in particular will give your floor a bit of extra sheen.
There is also variation in the joins of the planks. One choice is to have smooth edges, so that the planks fit snugly side-by-side and create a flat, even, smooth surface across the entire floor. In contrast, there are also bevelled edged planks. These products have v-grooved edges that provide a more pronounced join between each plank, giving the floor greater definition for a dynamic, modern look.
The products available also vary in a number of other ways. For instance, some have thinner planking at just 8.5 mm, while widths of 14 mm, 15 mm and 22 mm are also available. The width of the planks varies from 110 mm to 207 mm, with various widths in between also being available.
Such widths can influence the warranty levels, but these are never less than 15 years, this being the figure for the 8.5 mm thick Tarkett products. Others have warranties of 20 or even 30 years.
Installing Engineered Floors
Two different installation systems exist for engineered walnut hardwood floors, these being tongue and groove and click-system. Both involve the various parts fitting together like the pieces in the jigsaw, interlocking and holding fast together without there being any need for adhesives or glue to be applied.
It is for this reason that the products are very easy to install, although it should be noted that a flooring underlay is required. Different products are available for either concrete or wooden sub-floors.
With so much choice of colour, style and finish, plus ease of installation, you should find a walnut floor that you love and that provides many years of great service.
