Choosing engineered wood flooring can seem like a daunting task due to the sheer number of options available. There are five factors you should consider, however, which should help you to streamline the choices.
Wear Layer
This is a major factor to consider, as it is likely to determine how long your engineered wood flooring will last for and whether it will be suitable for sanding and refinishing in the future. In general, the thicker this solid hardwood layer is, the more it can be sanded and the longer it will last. For the highest quality, you should also choose a single strip layer rather than those made up of multiple layers.
Under-core
This is what you will find beneath the hardwood exterior and will determine how stable your floor is. Under-cores vary in price and quality. Higher-quality flooring will make use of multi-laminate hardwood ply, which is stronger and more stable than block board under-cores. This may be particularly important if you are choosing engineered wood flooring from companies such as Irwin Tiles to work alongside underfloor heating.
Dimensions
Engineered wood flooring comes in different board widths and lengths, and what you choose will be determined by the area you want to cover and the look you want to achieve. Different types of wood flooring will work better in different environments.
Finish
The finish is vital in ensuring that your engineered wood flooring looks and performs as you want. Finishes not only dictate the appearance of your floor but also influence other factors such as maintenance requirements, durability and practicality. Finishes can add the likes of water resistance and stain resistance to ensure the flooring fits in with your lifestyle needs.
Maintenance
When choosing your flooring, it is important to think about maintenance and how much time you can dedicate to this. For example, wax finishes can look great, but you need to make sure that you can commit to regular reapplication to keep it looking and performing as it should.
