Wooden Floorings are an essential part of every structure. Whether it’s your dream home or office space, they are not trivial matters to ignore. They may be there for you to step on, but they play a pivotal role in the aesthetics and functionality of a room.
As architecture progresses, so do the ideas for better and suitable materials. Wooden flooring has evolved over the years to accommodate various needs. Putting the design aside, construction materials today are consistent in elevating what’s possible. These materials keep improving in heat resistance, durability, and price to meet demands.
One of such modern construction materials is engineered wood flooring. This wooden flooring, known for its composite characteristics, might be precisely what you’re searching for.
How to Fit Engineered Wood Flooring?
Installation of engineered wood flooring is relatively more straightforward than solid hardwood. They often come with click-lock interlocking mechanisms, making it feasible for DIY enthusiasts. Although professional installation can ensure longevity and a flawless finish, having a basic understanding can also allow homeowners to fit the flooring themselves, given they have the right tools and follow the guidelines closely.
What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Aesthetic Wooden Flooring
As the name implies, engineered wood flooring is real wood. They underwent engineering (or modification) to better fit the user’s needs. They stem from efforts to enhance their predecessors and possess unique qualities.
Comparisons between engineered wood flooring and solid wood are common. Both offer the warmth and beauty characteristic of wooden flooring, but they differ in construction and benefits.
Engineered wood flooring isn’t cut from a single type of wooden slab. These floorings have hardwood as their top layer and plywood underneath. The combination of these layers provides stability, especially in humid climates like Singapore, where traditional solid wood might warp.
How to Remove Wooden Floor Scratches?
Scratches can be a bane for homeowners with wooden floors. For engineered wood flooring, it’s vital to identify the depth of the scratch. Superficial scratches on the surface can be addressed using a floor cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Deeper scratches may require a wood filler or a stain marker matching the floor color. After the repair, it’s recommended to apply the best floor varnish for wooden floors to seal and protect the area.
Engineered wood flooring, due to its construction, can offer a more affordable and durable solution for many homeowners. It’s important to note, however, that like all wooden floors, they require care to maintain their beauty.
How To Fit Wooden Flooring?
Installing engineered wood flooring isn’t as complex as one might think. Thanks to advancements, many engineered wood options come with click-lock mechanisms, making the process smoother. It’s advised to start by preparing the subfloor, ensuring it’s clean, dry, and level. Lay down an underlayment, if required, and start fitting the boards from one corner of the room, ensuring they lock securely. Always leave a small gap around the room’s perimeter to account for expansion.
When end users consider wooden flooring, they desire a blend of aesthetics, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Engineered wood flooring often checks all these boxes.
Solid Wood Vs Engineered Wood Flooring Comparison
Historic homes and structures often showcase the beauty of traditional solid wood flooring. But as times change, the benefits of engineered wooden flooring are becoming more apparent.
Here’s a comparison between the two:
1. Price
Engineered wooden flooring, given its method of production, often offers a more cost-effective solution than solid wood, especially for the same dimensions. This is because the engineered version uses a combination of hardwood and plywood, making it generally cheaper yet equally robust.
2. Longevity
Solid wood, with proper care, can last almost a century. Engineered wooden flooring, on the other hand, can last up to a couple of years, depending on environmental conditions and maintenance.
3. Refinishing
Both floor types can be refinished. Solid wood offers the option of being refinished multiple times, while engineered wood can generally be refinished up to two times in its lifespan.
4. Stability
Both solid and engineered wooden flooring offer excellent stability. Engineered wooden flooring, however, performs better in humid conditions due to its layered construction.
5. Dimensions
Since markets sell them as slabs, you can buy enough of such to fill the area of your floor. Wood allows for convenient sawing to fit irregular sections, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Sold as planks, both of these materials are longer than wide. In comparison, engineered wood planks tend to be wider, but solid planks tend to be longer.
6. Ease of installation
When it comes down to installation, solid planks are more challenging. To be specific, self-installation is ill-advised for solid hardwood flooring for a person with no experience. These materials are pretty sturdy and can behave far from your expectations.
For this reason, solid woods come with a cost of installation. They’re typically tucked in place by an experienced carpenter. They do last longer, so it’s reasonable to start big if you think about it. Doing it yourself is one of the things that makes engineered wood flooring popular. They use click-lock interlocking mechanisms, and glue-down methods are standard for this material. Many things are common to solid and engineered wood flooring, like cleaning them and how they look overall. Though solid wood comes in regard as premium in the market, it’s hard to tell once they’re on the floor.
What is the Best Floor Varnish for Wooden Floors?
Choosing the right varnish for your wooden floor is essential for longevity and aesthetics. The best varnishes provide a protective layer against daily wear and tear, UV rays, and moisture. They enhance the natural beauty of the wood and can come in various finishes, from matte to glossy. Water-based varnishes are popular due to their low odor and quick drying times.
However, oil-based varnishes often offer a richer finish and deeper penetration for added protection. When selecting a varnish, it’s essential to consider the type of wood, the room’s usage, and the desired finish.
Why Should You Opt for Engineered Wooden Flooring?
So, why opt for engineered wooden flooring? As you might glean from our earlier segments, there are myriad benefits to consider. The floor of any space is a significant aspect, making the choice a crucial one.
Given that floors are infrequently changed, the decision you make is pretty much final. Furthermore, the cost of flooring is substantial and isn’t something you can spread out over time. Hence, when weighing your options, it’s vital to adopt a long-term perspective.
Discover the Advantages of Engineered Wooden Flooring
- Aesthetic Appeal of Wooden Floors – Wooden flooring, whether traditional or engineered, exudes an aura of beauty and sophistication. It’s adaptable, seamlessly fitting into both residential and office spaces.
- Timeless Elegance – Just like any piece of wood, what was stylish a decade ago retains its charm even today. Regular maintenance and polishing can elevate the grandeur of this wooden floor.
- Easy Maintenance – If installed correctly, maintaining this type of flooring is a breeze. Simple sweeping and mopping should suffice.
- Flexibility for Change – Fancy a change in your floor design or material? Engineered wooden flooring offers ease of replacement. Though securely fastened, they can be detached when needed.
- Diversity in Wooden Flooring Options – As alluded to earlier, the market is replete with various engineered wooden flooring types. They evolve to address the dynamic needs and preferences of clients.
- Resale Potential – One of the compelling aspects of engineered wooden flooring is its resale value. Should you decide on a change, there’s always a market for your current flooring, thanks to its durability and refinishing capabilities.
In essence, engineered wooden flooring can rarely be a misstep. Even if your preferences change, there’s always the option to modify or resell.
Conclusion
While many engineered wooden floor products suggest a DIY approach, it’s a tall order for most. It demands time, patience, and a knack for problem-solving. Thankfully, professional woodworking services are readily available if you’d rather not embark on this DIY journey. For those in Singapore, your go-to should be Good Wood Carpentry Pte Ltd.
Good Wood Carpentry Pte Ltd. not only offers installation expertise but also provides the requisite materials. Moreover, we have an array of other wooden fixtures that might pique your interest. Visit our website for our contact details and engage us for consultations on upcoming projects or to discuss pricing!
