Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Renovating

engineered timber flooring 101

Looking for that perfect floor finish? An engineered wooden floor may be just the thing for you. - by Rhys McKay
  • 04 Oct 2019
engineered timber flooring 101
Getty

Few things can bring rustic ambience to a home like wood flooring. For years, interior designers believed that solid wood was the only way to get this coveted finish without resorting to plastic imitations. But thanks to advances in technology, engineered wooden floorboards can strike a perfect middle ground between form and function.

RELATED: The beginners guide to hard and soft flooring

What is engineered timber flooring?

Engineered wooden flooring is a two layered flooring type composed of a thin hardwood as a surface layer and a solid plywood core at the bottom. It was developed as a cost-efficient answer to the usual problems of solid wood flooring, all without sacrificing durability and appearance. And because of the increase in materials and wood types available, it’s become a popular choice for wooden flooring in recent years.

A person getting out of bed in the morning
Getty

It’s versatile and easy to install, with most flooring companies offering tons of pre-finished choices for homeowners to choose from. However, for a marginal increase in fees, there are a few companies which can offer site-finished wood flooring.

Appearance and cost of engineered flooring

Engineered timber flooring has the same appearance as solid hardwood upon initial examination. It’s only when closely examining the pieces that you can see the layers that make up each panel.

panelworks View Profile
29 likes - View Post on Instagram
#frenchoak 5" select French oak 6mm on 12mm getting ready for lamination #engineeredwoodflooring #panelworks #panelworksengineeredflooring #madeinlosangeles #madeincalifornia #madeinusa

The price for installation of engineered flooring can be quite cheap – even in the most expensive cases it’s a little under what you’d expect for a solid hardwood installation. Depending on the wood flooring you get, it’s even possible to install it yourself! Although the cost of a professional installation (with the quality assurance and expert application) can help avoid potential headaches with the flooring down the road.

Compare and contrast with solid hardwood

How does engineered wooden flooring hold up to solid wood? There are four particular characteristics that set the two apart:

Moisture

Dealing with water is arguably the only reason you would get an engineered wooden flooring over solid hardwood. The stable plywood base is more waterproof than solid hardwood, because the dampness can’t penetrate the layers easily. This helps it avoid the usual problems with wood flooring like mould and wood rot.

Hardness

Since the two-layer construction of engineered wood relies mostly on the plywood base for stability, only hard hardwoods can be used as a surface sheet. Solid timber like oak, maple, and walnut are the usual choices with engineered wooden flooring, while solid wooden flooring can range from soft to extremely hard, with a wider variety of woods available.

Structure

Since engineered wooden flooring comes as a pre-finished product, it’s possible to get several planks to adjust and replace as needed. Solid hardwood comes in one piece and is often cut down during a site finish, though plenty of companies also offer pre-finished hardwood. Solid hardwood is thicker (¾ inches) compared to engineered boards (⅜ to ½) because of this difference.

Durability

Finally, the two-layered construction of engineered flooring can’t withstand consistent wear and tear. Because of the thin surface layer, it’s vulnerable to chipping and denting. The average lifespan of an engineered floor is a little under ten years, while a well-maintained solid hardwood floor can be durable for decades.

dekael_floors View Profile
10 likes - View Post on Instagram
Type Flooring Construction #engineeredflooring #woodflooringsamples #woodenfloors #dekael

Installation and maintenance of engineered wood flooring

Installation of engineered timber flooring is easier than solid hardwood, but the layered surface means that you can’t install it over under floor heating, since that may cause the layers to separate with prolonged use. It’s best installed over solid subfloors like concrete, which it can stick on easily. If you’re installing your wood flooring yourself, ask your supplier on how to lay the planks in the best possible way.

You can’t maintain engineered wooden floors – if you sand them off more than once or twice, you’ll be removing the top layer. The best way to keep them in pristine condition is to install a rug or carpet to help reduce impact damage.

panelworks View Profile
9 likes - View Post on Instagram
Making re-purposed bark beetle kill pine panels for retail displays. These become 4x8' slat-wall mounted on NAUF MDF. We make all kinds of engineered laminated wood products including parts for #doors #windows #plywood #veneers #lamellas #woodfloors #repurpose #reuse #recycle

Engineered timber flooring is a good investment for homeowners looking for a classic yet practical approach to their wood flooring. It’s less trouble to maintain than solid hardwood and can be more versatile in where it’s placed in the home.

RELATED: Flooring inspiration for your home

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The beginners guide to hard and soft flooring

The beginners guide to hard and soft flooring

How to upgrade your laundry

How to upgrade your laundry

A romantic bedroom makeover

A romantic bedroom makeover

Adam and Juliet give an old kitchen an industrial barn-style makeover

Adam and Juliet give an old kitchen an industrial barn-style makeover

{headline}

{headline}

3 steps to declutter your home

3 steps to declutter your home

Juliet and Melissa transform an unused sunroom

Juliet and Melissa transform an unused sunroom

Reader reno: It only cost $126 for this mum to give her bathroom a complete makeover

Reader reno: It only cost $126 for this mum to give her bathroom a complete makeover

{headline}

{headline}

7 etiquette rules for working with tradies

7 etiquette rules for working with tradies

How to choose the best ceiling fans for your home

How to choose the best ceiling fans for your home

Amazing homes: The terracotta house

Amazing homes: The terracotta house

Temple & Webster launches a new online store for home renovators

Temple & Webster launches a new online store for home renovators

A flexible dining room makeover

A flexible dining room makeover

How to choose the right white paint, according to design experts

How to choose the right white paint, according to design experts

Adam and Juliet transform an old bedroom using shiplap boards

Adam and Juliet transform an old bedroom using shiplap boards

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription