Wood flooring is timelessly beautiful in any home. But with the cost of living, having kids and trying to live life to the full, you may be under the impression that it’s outside of your budget. You are wrong!

Engineered wood flooring is the perfect alternative to solid wood flooring that is not only identical in appearance and life span, but is much cheaper.

How is this possible?

Luxury Flooring & Furnishings are here to help with all the information you need on engineered flooring.

What Is It?

Engineered flooring is made up of plywood layers fused together to create a strong base, and topped off with a real wood layer that can range in thickness. This base adds practicality in comparison to solid wood flooring, as it is resistant to warping and shrinkage that occurs in solid wood with humidity, high moisture, or changes in temperature. Although these floors look identical, it is clear there is a much greater advantage to purchasing engineered flooring.

What Else Makes It Better Than Other Floors?

Many people choose solid wood for its prestige, history and ability to be sanded many times in its life span, allowing it to look good as new. Although this sanding can be carried out more times on solid wood, engineered wood can be sanded many times too. The thicker the wear layer (the wooden part), the more you can sand it, and considering this only needs to take place every 15 years or so, even the thinnest engineered floors can last a lifetime. Why pay extra for a solid wood floor that you won’t experience the full life span of? In addition, you can refinish a floor after sanding, so if you ever get bored of the look you have chosen, the same engineered floor can be given a brand new appearance every time.

In comparison to non-wood flooring, engineered flooring will more likely impress guests and increase the value of your house if you are looking to sell. Again, the sanding and refinishing will save you money given you will never have to buy a new floor again, even if you get bored of the original finish you chose. Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) and laminate floors that accrue damage cannot be fixed through sanding like engineered can when scratched or dented either. Wood is comfier than stone underfoot, but without being slippery like tiles, and to top it off, engineered floors can cost the same price! Even the cheapest options last around 25 years minimum, so you are sure to save money in the long run.

Is It Suitable For My Home?

After all that, is this flooring even right for your home? Luckily, engineered flooring is very versatile. As stated, scratches or dents from pet claws or children dropping things can be rectified through sanding or using filler, or you can simply choose a rustic finish so the damage only serves to improve the look of the flooring. A lacquer finish on top of this will prevent it from being too rough for children or anyone who prefers being barefoot, allowing the floor to be as smooth as vinyl or tiles but with lower slip risk. Although engineered can handle moisture, temperature and humidity better than solid wood, you should still be careful to clear up spillages as soon as they occur in kitchens, but bathrooms are usually off-limits due to the wood layer being penetrable. Conservatories and rooms with underfloor heating will work well with engineered flooring too, but make sure temperatures do not exceed 27C.

Engineered flooring is definitely recommended for those on a budget who still want their home to look expensive!