What Is Engineered Timber Flooring?

Floors made of engineered timber are constructed with three layers of wood, making them more durable and stable. Typically, plywood or another low-quality wood is used for the layers beneath the top layer of hardwood timber.

Lifewood floors are constructed with solid timber in all three layers of the board and are fully sealed to prevent damage from moisture.

An engineered wood floor must have a real wood decorative layer. While laminate flooring's decorative layer can be printed, engineered floors can only have a naturally decorative top layer. A laminate floor is made with actual wood. The core HDF material is made with wood chips, but the decorative surface is not made from real wood.

You can make the real wood veneer that serves as the decorative top layer however thick you like. Generally speaking, the top layers of a product have a greater impact on its durability and sandability. It's important to remember that a more substantial top layer can come at an additional cost. At HP Constructions, we have the best home constructions selection to make your house a dream come true.

The scoreboard is the second part of engineered flooring. This is the layer upon which the decorative topcoat can be bonded. It's crucial to have a good core board. In doing so, it reinforces and stabilises the floor as a whole. Its core is constructed from materials that are more resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations than solid wood flooring. Engineered wood flooring uses a number of different types of core boards.

There is a visual distinction between the top layer and the total thickness. Example: 18mm x 5mm = 18mm total thickness with a 5mm solid wood veneer.

Planks used in an engineered wood flooring system have several layers of plywood formed a bond together and a thin layer (lamella) of hardwood glued to the top. Because of this, an engineered wood floor can mimic the look of hardwood flooring while offering increased durability and stability.

Manufactured wood floor is a solid wood floor that is simple to install, requires minimal upkeep, and can be used in a variety of settings without breaking the bank.

Engineered wood flooring comes in a wide variety of styles. A genuine timber construction means that engineered timber products can be found in the same wood species as conventional hardwood flooring. Native options like Spotted Gum and Blackbutt engineered timber flooring are included in this broad category of engineered flooring.

What options do you have for staining and colouring your engineered wood flooring? Engineered wood flooring is a great choice for any room because it can be stained and finished to match any aesthetic. Modern homes often feature herringbone or chevron patterns, both of which are popular in engineered parquetry flooring.

Different Kinds Of Engineered  Flooring

Stability is improved by pressing and glueing solid timber planks together to form a wear layer (also called a lamella) that is then pushed and glued to a synthetic backing.

An engineered timber floor's wear layer is typically made from the same hardwood timber species as is used for solid timber flooring; the wear layer's thickness determines the number of times the floor can be resanded. Look at our piece on "What is a Wear Layer?" if you want to learn more.

The backing layer(s) of an engineered wood plank is made to resist warping and bending, as well as to dampen the effects of humidity and temperature swings. Different manufacturers use a wide variety of materials and techniques when constructing their backings.

Pre-finished lacquer, UV oil, or natural oil are common ways that engineered flooring is sold. Shrinkage, warping, cupping, and bowing are much less likely to occur in a well-made engineered timber floor compared to solid timber flooring. Once an engineered floor has been installed, it cannot be distinguished from a solid wood floor to the untrained eye.

The most popular variety of wood flooring is multi-ply engineered wood. It mimics the feel of real wood flooring the most closely. The layered construction makes it less likely to cup or expand too much. The average total thickness is between 13 and 20 millimetres. Plywood's reinforced centre provides the support necessary for widths of up to 350 millimetres.

The three-ply engineered flooring is another popular option. It has a wonderful feel once installed and offers excellent protection against cupping and overexpansion. Common total thicknesses are between 12 and 18 millimetres. For boards with widths of up to 200mm, we advise using only 3-ply cores. Wide plank wood floors can be unsteady because their core isn't as sturdy as a multi-ply core.

Engineered flooring with an HDF core is more unusual. Their versatility, however, is contributing to their rising popularity. The core is compatible with click installation systems that are user-friendly for the average person, making set up a breeze. With high-density fibre cores, the total thickness can often be reduced, allowing for smoother transitions between different floor types.

ENGINEERED FLOORING DIFFERENT TO SOLID FLOORING

Solid strip flooring (also known as tongue and groove flooring) is a more conventional option, but it must be sanded and coated on site. However, engineered flooring typically comes pre-finished and ready to install.

Either choice can be maintained with periodic sanding and polishing. However, unlike solid flooring, which has width restrictions, engineered flooring can be sold in wide boards.

Due to the cross lamination used in its construction, engineered flooring is less likely to expand and contract as a result of changes in humidity and temperature.

There is a significant distinction between laminate and engineered flooring. The subfloor of a laminate floor is made of fibreboard, and the top layer is a paper that is printed to look like wood. Hardwood or solid timber veneer overlay is what engineered flooring is made of.

COST OF ENGINEERED FLOORING

Engineered flooring prices can vary widely between retailers. Price per square metre ranges from $90-$110 for high-quality, long-lasting engineered flooring. The installation time for engineered flooring is drastically reduced.

It is delivered to the construction site already finished, saving both money and time because workers can immediately begin laying it and walking on it. Traditional floors, on the other hand, take weeks to install because they must be sanded and coated multiple times. We have a wide range of Melbourne tiling renovations to help you choose in creating a new design for your house.

CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING ENGINEERED FLOORING

• What material is used for the floor?
• Is the supplier using high-quality woods for both the wear layer and the substrate?
• How is the floor put together, if at all? (Such as with a well-balanced building)
• To what extent, if at all, can the flooring be sanded and re-polished over its lifetime, the wear layer?
• What is the coating made of, and what is its Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) rating?

Various manufacturers have different colour schemes to attract customers. If you can't find the exact shade you're after among the company's standard colour options, see if they offer colour customization.

Check for engineered flooring that also has these qualities:

• The method of balanced construction is used in its construction (gluing the veneers together in a cross lamination orientation)
• In this case, an eco-friendly Australian hardwood is used for the wear layer.
• Provides colour customization choices, hot off the Melbourne coating line.
• LED-cured hard wax oil gives it a GOLD VOC rating and makes it extremely long-lasting.
• You can sand it down and give it a new shine multiple times because of its thick 4mm wear layer.
• Guaranteed to last for 25 years without structural failure and 15 years without wear and tear.

HOME APPLICATIONS OF ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING

The best alternative to solid hardwood is engineered timber flooring, which is still entirely real wood but has been specially engineered for superior performance as a flooring material. All of the planks have the following three layers:

• a beautiful veneer of hardwood that has been lacquered for protection,
• Core of sustainable hevea grown in a plantation,
• A backboard made of spruce or pine.

There are a number of performance advantages over solid hardwood, thanks to the engineered timber design, including stability and longevity. You can use engineered timber floorboards for anything from standard flooring to accent walls, joinery, and countertops, just as you would with solid hardwood.

Engineered wood flooring has many benefits

There are many benefits to choosing this flooring material over conventional solid hardwood.

• Real in appearance and texture : The fact that engineered wood rarely differs in appearance from solid hardwood is one of its main selling points. Since engineered hardwood consists entirely of real wood, it is not surprising that it can fool people into thinking it is fake.
• Better consistency: Designed hardwood is more stable in high-humidity environments because its structure and heave core are designed to mitigate the effects moisture can have on the wood.
• Green manufacturing: Planks of engineered timber, which are typically made from trees grown in plantations, are more environmentally friendly than those of slow-growing, aesthetically pleasing hardwoods.
• Cost-saving: Most of the time, engineered timber will be less expensive than solid hardwood because trees grow so quickly. You may also stand lower for installation costs thanks to the simple locking system of floating wooden floor.

Problems with Engineered Wood Floors

The choice of flooring always requires some planning. If you're thinking about using engineered wood, here's what you need to know.

• Concerns about prices : While engineered wood typically costs less than its solid hardwood counterpart, the amount you save will depend on a number of factors.

ENGINEERED WOOD FLOOR INSTALLATION METHODS:

• Tongue-and-groove: There is a groove on one side of the board, and a tongue on the opposite end. The tongue and groove join seamlessly, and no one will ever know it's there. The planks are affixed with glue.
• Woodlock systems: Tongue and groove is also used in this installation method, but the boards must be curved to fit. Unlike the tongue-and-groove system, glue isn't required for this.
• Floor connection system: Those grooves run around the entire plank, on all four sides. Two grooved plans are joined by a separate rubber or plastic piece.
• Glue down method: To allow for growth, an expansion gap is typically made with spacers. Croquet courts are prepared by smearing glue across the surface and then tapping the highest plank into place with a rubber hammer.
• Floating installation: As the name implies, glue is not used in this type of flooring installation. The locking planks are not fastened to the ground, but they do keep each other in place. The flooring is suspended above the subfloor in this installation method.

HIGHEST QUALITY ENGINEERED TIMBER FLOORING AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA

We've compiled a list of some of the finest engineered timber floorings currently available.

• Ottó XVIII: The highest quality French Oak is used to create this engineered floor, which can be used anywhere. The stain, which was developed in collaboration with prominent designers, brings out the wood's natural, luxuriant tones. You can get them in long lengths or shorter, wider planks to create herringbone or chevron patterns in engineered flooring.
• Baden By George Fethers: These high-end floorboards are made from solid Douglas fir, and they come in widths of 200-400mm and lengths of 1-15 metres. Urban grade has fewer branches and more consistent grain than country grade, but both have a more natural appearance.
• Otto XIII Engineered flooring: The Ottó XIII finish, with its butterscotch chocolate grey tones and bee overtones, is ideal for high-end homes and business products that feature a heavy dose of marble or stone. The finish is ideal as engineered parquet flooring because it is naturally durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic in its plank, herringbone, or chevron configurations.
• Woodsmith Huon Trail Engineered Flooring: These engineered planks come with a 25-year warranty and are sourced from environmentally-friendly Tasmanian forests. Huon Trail is crafted from lush Tasmanian Oak and finished with a light stain that highlights the natural grain of the wood for a charming, rustic look.
• Maison Scandia:The engineered flooring in the MAISON range is made from affordable French oak and is available in both commercial and residential configurations. The colour scheme at MAISON Scandia is bright and simple. It comes in two different grades: Sleek, with minimal knots and variations, and Traditional, with more subtle characteristics such as veins and knots.
• URBIS Milan Oak Ultra Matte: The Milan collection is European Oak engineered flooring that was designed with large multi-family buildings in mind. The dark, textured finish this product has is the result of being coated in an extremely matte UV Oil.
• URBIS Warehouse Oak:This European oak item has a luxurious but non-glossy finish thanks to the use of an ultra-matte UV oil. Boards are available in 1820mm lengths and 190mm widths, giving them a rich, luxurious appearance, and the product consistently receives positive reviews.
• Woodsmith Freycinet Morning: This contemporary stain gives Tasmanian Oak a spectral grey appearance, and it's another product designed to highlight the wood's natural beauty. These planks work wonderfully with a variety of other finishes and furnishings, and they are particularly well suited to spaces with an industrial or stone-focused design scheme.
• Hakwood European Oak Engineered Flooring: Dutch manufacturer Hakwood offers engineered flooring in several different grades of European Oak (or French Oak). Hakwood's engineered oak timber flooring is available in a wide range of sizes and colours, including both light and dark greys and blacks of varying shades.
• Maison North Black: This all-black colour scheme comes in a variety of different plank sizes and quality levels, making it a versatile addition to modern decor. The luxurious oak hardwood used in Maison engineered wood flooring is enhanced by the use of natural oils and lacquers in the prefinishing process.

How to Choose Engineered Wood Floors in 3 Easy Steps

Looking for the perfect timber flooring for your new construction, remodel, or major overhaul? When you walk through the front door, the flooring is the first thing you'll notice about the room's design.

Engineered timber flooring is constructed with a thick layer of plywood sandwiched between layers of real hardwood, creating a very sturdy and long-lasting floor. More so than solid wood flooring, it can withstand moisture without warping or buckling.

We've simplified the process so that in just three steps you can have the engineered timber flooring that will complement your home and your lifestyle.

Step 1 - Do a thorough inventory of what you need.

You should look for engineered wood flooring that can withstand the wear and tear of your busy household. We stock a variety of high-quality engineered wood floors that are also resistant to sound, scratches, and wear and tear.

Things to think about before purchasing wood flooring:

• Can you tell me about your subfloor? Everything from concrete to solid planks to yellow tongue and groove boards, etc.
• Which features would you prioritise the most? Different types of decks, lengths, widths, thicknesses, materials, finishes, prices, etc.
• In what areas will the engineered wood flooring be installed, and how much will be required?

Step 2 - Choose your style

Homeowners are often impressed by the quality and longevity of engineered timber flooring. It has the power to transform the aesthetic of a space in an instant and increase the worth of your home. Whether you're looking for a floor with a light coloration or a dark one, a fine grain or an Australian appearance, engineered timber provides a wide range of options.

Due to its fine grain structure and variety of available finishes, oak timber species is equally at home in more traditional and contemporary settings.

Blackbutt, Jarrah, Brushbox, Spotted Gum, Tasmanian Oak, and Sydney Blue Gum are just some of the many Australian Hardwood timber species. These come in a wide range of colours and hardnesses, making them an excellent choice for accommodating a wide range of aesthetic preferences.

Technically speaking, bamboo timber species are made from grass rather than wood. It's a good alternative to hardwood in terms of both durability and aesthetic appeal.

Step 3. Deciding on the best method for installing timber flooring.

Flooring made of wood can be nailed or glued down on top of other materials, such as concrete or vinyl.

Check out our range of timber repairs Melbourne at Hitch Property Constructions.

Some types of engineered wood flooring require the use of PVA wood glue in the tongue and groove during installation.

Some types of engineered wood flooring can be installed with a simple "click together" method that eliminates the need for nails, staples, and glue. They're built with a tongue-and-groove system that allows for easy assembly.

Conclusion

Engineered timber floors are constructed with three layers of wood, with plywood or another low-quality wood used for the layers beneath the top layer of hardwood timber. They must have a real wood decorative layer, while laminate flooring can only have a naturally decorative top layer. The top layers of a product have a greater impact on its durability and sandability, and it is important to remember that a more substantial top layer can come at an additional cost. Manufactured wood flooring is a solid wood floor that is simple to install, requires minimal upkeep, and can be used in a variety of settings without breaking the bank. Engineered wood flooring is a genuine timber construction that can be found in the same wood species as conventional hardwood flooring.

It is a great choice for any room because it can be stained and finished to match any aesthetic. Staining and colouring options include herringbone or chevron patterns, and the wear layer is made from the same hardwood timber species as is used for solid timber flooring. The backing layer is made to resist warping and bending, as well as dampen the effects of humidity and temperature swings. Pre-finished lacquer, UV oil, or natural oil are common ways that engineered flooring is sold. The most popular variety of wood flooring is multi-ply engineered wood, which mimics the feel of real wood flooring and offers excellent protection against cupping and overexpansion.

Three-ply engineered flooring is another popular option, with average total thicknesses between 12-18 millimetres for boards with widths of up to 200mm. Engineered flooring with an HDF core is more unusual, but is compatible with click installation systems and can be reduced in thickness for smoother transitions between different floor types. Laminate and engineered flooring are distinguished by the cross lamination used in its construction, which is less likely to expand and contract as a result of changes in humidity and temperature. Engineered flooring prices vary widely between retailers, but can range from $90-$110 for high-quality, long-lasting engineered flooring. It is delivered to the construction site already finished, saving both money and time.

When purchasing engineered flooring, consider the material used, how it is put together, how it can be sanded and re-polished over its lifetime, the wear layer, the coating made of, and the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) rating. Check for engineered flooring that also has these qualities: balanced construction, eco-friendly Australian hardwood, LED-cured hard wax oil, and guaranteed to last for 25 years without structural failure and 15 years without wear and tear.

Content Summary:

• Floors made of engineered timber are constructed with three layers of wood, making them more durable and stable.
• Typically, plywood or another low-quality wood is used for the layers beneath the top layer of hardwood timber.
• Lifewood floors are constructed with solid timber in all three layers of the board and are fully sealed to prevent damage from moisture.
• An engineered wood floor must have a real wood decorative layer.
• While laminate flooring's decorative layer can be printed, engineered floors can only have a naturally decorative top layer.
• A laminate floor is made with actual wood.
• The core HDF material is made with wood chips, but the decorative surface is not made from real wood.
• You can make the real wood veneer that serves as the decorative top layer however thick you like.
• Generally speaking, the top layers of a product have a greater impact on its durability and sandability.
• It's important to remember that a more substantial top layer can come at an additional cost.
• At HP Constructions, we have the best home constructions selection to make your house a dream come true.
• The scoreboard is the second part of engineered flooring.
• This is the layer upon which the decorative topcoat can be bonded.
• It's crucial to have a good core board.
• In doing so, it reinforces and stabilises the floor as a whole.
• Its core is constructed from materials that are more resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations than solid wood flooring.
• Engineered wood flooring uses a number of different types of core boards.
• There is a visual distinction between the top layer and the total thickness.
• Example: 18mm x 5mm = 18mm total thickness with a 5mm solid wood veneer.
• Planks used in an engineered wood flooring system have several layers of plywood formed a bond together and a thin layer (lamella) of hardwood glued to the top.
• Because of this, an engineered wood floor can mimic the look of hardwood flooring while offering increased durability and stability.
• Manufactured wood floor is a solid wood floor that is simple to install, requires minimal upkeep, and can be used in a variety of settings without breaking the bank.
• Engineered wood flooring comes in a wide variety of styles.
• A genuine timber construction means that engineered timber products can be found in the same wood species as conventional hardwood flooring.
• Native options like Spotted Gum and Blackbutt engineered timber flooring are included in this broad category of engineered flooring.
• What options do you have for staining and colouring your engineered wood flooring?
• Engineered wood flooring is a great choice for any room because it can be stained and finished to match any aesthetic.
• Modern homes often feature herringbone or chevron patterns, both of which are popular in engineered parquetry flooring.
• Flooring Stability is improved by pressing and glueing solid timber planks together to form a wear layer (also called a lamella) that is then pushed and glued to a synthetic backing.
• An engineered timber floor's wear layer is typically made from the same hardwood timber species as is used for solid timber flooring; the wear layer's thickness determines the number of times the floor can be resanded.
• The backing layer(s) of an engineered wood plank is made to resist warping and bending, as well as to dampen the effects of humidity and temperature swings.
• Different manufacturers use a wide variety of materials and techniques when constructing their backings.
• Pre-finished lacquer, UV oil, or natural oil are common ways that engineered flooring is sold.
• Shrinkage, warping, cupping, and bowing are much less likely to occur in a well-made engineered timber floor compared to solid timber flooring.
• Once an engineered floor has been installed, it cannot be distinguished from a solid wood floor to the untrained eye.
• The most popular variety of wood flooring is multi-ply engineered wood.
• It mimics the feel of real wood flooring the most closely.
• The layered construction makes it less likely to cup or expand too much.
• The average total thickness is between 13 and 20 millimetres.
• Plywood's reinforced centre provides the support necessary for widths of up to 350 millimetres.
• The three-ply engineered flooring is another popular option.
• It has a wonderful feel once installed and offers excellent protection against cupping and overexpansion.
• Common total thicknesses are between 12 and 18 millimetres.
• For boards with widths of up to 200mm, we advise using only 3-ply cores.
• Wide plank wood floors can be unsteady because their core isn't as sturdy as a multi-ply core.
• Engineered flooring with an HDF core is more unusual.
• Their versatility, however, is contributing to their rising popularity.
• The core is compatible with click installation systems that are user-friendly for the average person, making set up a breeze.
• With high-density fibre cores, the total thickness can often be reduced, allowing for smoother transitions between different floor types.
• Solid strip flooring (also known as tongue and groove flooring) is a more conventional option, but it must be sanded and coated on site.
• However, engineered flooring typically comes pre-finished and ready to install.
• Either choice can be maintained with periodic sanding and polishing.
• However, unlike solid flooring, which has width restrictions, engineered flooring can be sold in wide boards.
• Due to the cross lamination used in its construction, engineered flooring is less likely to expand and contract as a result of changes in humidity and temperature.
• There is a significant distinction between laminate and engineered flooring.
• The subfloor of a laminate floor is made of fibreboard, and the top layer is a paper that is printed to look like wood.
• Hardwood or solid timber veneer overlay is what engineered flooring is made of.
• Engineered flooring prices can vary widely between retailers.
• Price per square metre ranges from $90-$110 for high-quality, long-lasting engineered flooring.
• The installation time for engineered flooring is drastically reduced.
• It is delivered to the construction site already finished, saving both money and time because workers can immediately begin laying it and walking on it.
• Traditional floors, on the other hand, take weeks to install because they must be sanded and coated multiple times.
• We have a wide range of Melbourne tiling renovations to help you choose in creating a new design for your house.
• What material is used for the floor?
• Is the supplier using high-quality woods for both the wear layer and the substrate?
• How is the floor put together, if at all?
• To what extent, if at all, can the flooring be sanded and re-polished over its lifetime, the wear layer?
• What is the coating made of, and what is its Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) rating?
• Various manufacturers have different colour schemes to attract customers.
• If you can't find the exact shade you're after among the company's standard colour options, see if they offer colour customization.
• Check for engineered flooring that also has these qualities: The method of balanced construction is used in its construction (gluing the veneers together in a cross lamination orientation) In this case, an eco-friendly Australian hardwood is used for the wear layer.
• Provides colour customization choices, hot off the Melbourne coating line.
• LED-cured hard wax oil gives it a GOLD VOC rating and makes it extremely long-lasting.
• You can sand it down and give it a new shine multiple times because of its thick 4mm wear layer.
• Guaranteed to last for 25 years without structural failure and 15 years without wear and tear.
• The best alternative to solid hardwood is engineered timber flooring, which is still entirely real wood but has been specially engineered for superior performance as a flooring material.