Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered flooring comprises several wood layers stuck to one another using high pressures. This method of construction helps in creating wooden flooring, which boasts higher strength and durability compared to a wooden floor of solid material. Most solid floorings have a tendency to shrink as well as expand. This happens because of room humidity changes, changing room temperature as well as moisture in the sub-floor. Engineered flooring can prevent such problems from occurring.
These types of flooring are comprised of three different layers namely bottom layer, middle core and top layer. The mid core comprises plywood, softwood or even HDF layers and the topmost layering comprises veneer of hardwood. Its thickness ranges between 0.7 mm to around 6 mm.
Engineered flooring poses several advantages, the biggest being easy installation. Using floating method techniques easy click installation is possible with such floorings. Grooves and tongues can be stuck together and is advantageous when you want installation of the floor on concrete flooring. The floating technique is faster and easier. Even floors of thicknesses having 22 mm can provide proper structure and these are nailed into the battens or joists.
Construction of Such Flooring
The engineered flooring comprises a top layer whose finish can range between oil or lacquer. Six coats of this finish can be easily provided. The layer of hardwood varies in thickness from 0.7 mm to around 6 mm. The middle core area helps the flooring retain its shape and stability. A variety of materials such as hardwood, softwood or HDF can be used for the mid core section. There is an additional layer of stabilizing agents provided, made of spruce of 1 mm thickness. This provides stability and prevents flooring movement because of changes in seasons.
Engineered flooring looks as good as solid wood
The engineered flooring has a similar top hardwood as in solid wood floors. Thus, the structure and finish are the same.
How thick is veneer of hardwood variety?
The veneer hardwood is the topmost layer of the engineered flooring. It ranges in thickness between 0.6 mm to around 6 mm. This hardwood offers high durability just like any solid wooden flooring. The wear layer has thicknesses around 4-8 mm located above the groove and tongue.
Is refinishing possible?
Most hardwood layers are not refinished. However, the possibility of refinishing depends on the hardwood thickness. Using high quality techniques all damaged regions are eliminated professionally. As much as 0.5 mm thickness can be removed with sanding. However, the upper wear layer should never reduce more than 0.5 mm.
Can it be placed above underfloor heating?
Certain requirements should be followed to achieve this. Proper heat distributing layers should offer even temperatures across the floor. Entire floor should be heated and surface temperature should be able to be regulated accurately. Surface temperatures of the flooring should not go above 27 degrees Celsius. Floor construction should include vapor barrier in close proximity to the wood. There must be no gaps in air between underlying surface and wood. Temperature during laying must be minimum 18 degrees.
