Timber Floor
An engineered timber floor is a multi-layered floor composed of a timber veneer or lamination surface layer sitting on a cheaper substrate of ply, pine or rubber wood. The top layer of timber is generally thin (1mm – 4mm), making it easier to age and condition the wood, drastically reducing the expansion and contraction.
Timber Product
Engineered timber flooring is the best alternative to solid hardwood – made from 100 per cent real wood but strategically manufactured for optimum performance as a flooring material. Each plank consists of three layers:
- A protected, lacquered layer of aesthetic hardwood,
- A core of plantation-grown sustainable heave,
- A backing of pine or spruce.
What Styles Do Engineered Hardwood Support?
Engineered hardwood can offer a variety of style for your home:
- Available in today’s trendiest wood species; hickory, oak, maple and more.
- There are multiple finishes available in matte, semi-gloss, and high-gloss.
- To add visual interest to your floor, engineered hardwood comes in a variety of surface effects such as hand scraped for a time worn appearance, distressed for a slightly rustic appearance, or wire-brushed.
AUSTRALIAN AND EXOTIC SPECIES
ATF consists of a layer of natural solid wood on top of a base of high-quality plywood
OAK HERRINGBONE
When choosing a floor for your environment, it’s important to have all the facts.
OAK RANGES
ATF are constantly developing new products, whilst pursuing technological advancements in stabilising and strengthening our products
Pros and Cons of Engineered Timber Flooring
Pros: This flooring option has a wealth of advantages over traditional solid hardwood.
- Authentic look and feel: One of the top benefits of engineered timber is that it is often indiscernible from solid hardwood. Being made entirely of real timber, it’s little surprise anyone would be fooled by the appearance and texture of engineered hardwood.
- Greater stability: The structure and hevea core of engineered timber is specifically designed to mitigate the effects moisture can have on the wood, meaning engineered hardwood is more stable in high-humidity environments.
- Sustainable production: Made primarily from plantation-grown trees, engineered timber planks are a more sustainable option over slow-growing aesthetic hardwoods.
- Cost saving: Due to the faster growth rate of trees, engineered timber is often more affordable than solid hardwood. You may also stand to save on installation costs thanks to the simple locking mechanism of floating floorboards.
- Quick and clean installation process
Cons: No flooring is without its considerations. Here’s what you should be aware of if you’re considering engineered timber.
- Cost considerations: While more cost-effective than solid hardwood, your savings can vary and engineered timber is not cheaper than laminate or vinyl timber-look alternatives.
- Doesn’t age gracefully
- Not as durable
- More susceptible to water and spills
- Cheaper wood underneath isn’t as strong as hardwood
- Can’t sand and polish if it’s a floated floor
- More susceptible to termites and white ants
- Typically no warranty when glued down
- Sounds cheap and hollow to walk on
Hardwood Vs. Engineered Wood Flooring
| Hardwood flooring | Engineered wood flooring |
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made of solid wood, It is usually made of hardwood species like maple, oak or walnut. And it has a significantly longer lifespan that allows for sanding and refinishing over and over.
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looks almost identical to the hardwood on the surface, but instead of a single wood plank, it’s made of a high-quality plywood core with a thin layer of hardwood flooring on top.
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Which Flooring Is Best? Appearance and Comfort
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| Hardwood flooring planks vary in width, ranging from 75mm-160mm wide. | looking almost exactly like hardwood, engineered wood flooring offers more flexibility in terms of width. More common options are 190mm,220mm,240mm |
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Maintenance and Care
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Solid hardwood is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Most floors only need sweeping and vacuuming, with the occasional mopping with a special wood cleaner to treat stains.
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Like hardwood, engineered wood flooring only needs sweeping and vacuuming to stay clean. Occasionally mopping it with wood cleaner can help prevent stains and revitalize the top layer. |
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Lifespan
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| Hardwood flooring can last anywhere between 30 to 100 years with the proper maintenance and care. |
Although engineered wood flooring can’t be refinished as often as solid hardwood, it can still last up to 30 years or more with proper maintenance.
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Cost
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| Out of the many types of flooring in the market, hardwood is among the most expensive ones. | On the other hand, engineered wood flooring is a more budget-friendly flooring option. |
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Installation
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| The majority of hardwood floors are nailed down to the sub-floor. Another common installation method is using tongue-and-groove planks to join the planks together. Hardwood flooring needs to be attached to a subfloor, usually plywood. Then, planks are nailed to the subfloor through the tongue, so the nails don’t show when the floor is completed. | While some engineered wood floors are also nailed to the sub-floor, in most cases, it’s done using the click-and-lock system. This installation method uses tongue-and-groove boards that lock together |
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Water, Heat and Environment
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| When it comes to water and the environment, hardwood flooring is more sensitive than other flooring options. Hardwood is not recommended for installations where humidity or moisture can go through because it causes swelling and warping. | While engineered wood flooring isn’t waterproof, it has better performance in humid locations compared to hardwood. Because plywood construction is more stable, this flooring is less susceptible to warping and swelling. |
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Resale Value
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When it comes to selling your house, hardwood flooring is often considered a premium add-on that can increase the resale value.
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Engineered Wood Flooring
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FAQ
How Thick Is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered flooring is typically 14mm-21mm with 2mm-6mm veneer.
How Long Will an Engineered Wood Floor Last?
Depending on the thickness of the veneer that tops the flooring, the quality of flooring used, and how well you maintain your floors, engineered hardwood can last a lifetime. All 3 factors play a big role in determining the longevity of any floor in your home. Engineered hardwood typically lasts between 20 and 30 years.
Is Engineered Hardwood the Same as Laminate?
While engineered hardwood may look similar to laminate flooring, they are not the same.
Engineered hardwood contains a top layer of solid wood, while laminate flooring has a photographic layer coated with a wear-layer that appears to look like a wood surface.
In addition, laminate flooring is usually thinner than engineered hardwood.
Is Engineered Hardwood More Expensive Than Solid Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood is typically less expensive than hardwood flooring
Does Engineered Hardwood Scratch Easily?
they are susceptible to scratches.
Small scratches on engineered hardwood can be repaired a wax repair kit or a cotton cloth and some rubbing alcohol.