8 Different Types of Engineered Wood Flooring (With Pictures)

We’re not interior designers, but we’ll notify you this much—understanding the distinct elements of flooring is important if you desire to produce a useful space. It could make or split your complete space, even if you did almost everything appropriate from the soar.

Owing to its significance and substantial client demand, we’ve constantly found ourselves in a market flooded with different supplies. And although most of people resources are great, some are, for lack of a greater phrase, substandard.

Thankfully for us, engineered wood does not tumble in the latter group. It is amid the very best on the market, and you can notify just by seeking at how well-liked it is. But then again, this is not a reputation contest—it’s about which substance provides what’s promised, such as supplying benefit for funds.

The 8 Different Engineered Wood Flooring Types

Technically, there isn’t one specific sort of engineered wooden flooring. They are usually categorised based mostly on various things, but some of them drop into more than a single group.

The classifications are based on:
  • Wood species
  • The pressure applied during production
  • Wood texture
  • Installation method

To steer clear of confusion, we like to begin with the method of set up, as this normally narrows down our choices.

Based on Method of Installation

1. Click-Lock

Most of the wood flooring options that we currently have in the market apply this method during installation. The flooring planks have features that are referred to as “tongues and grooves”, that are clicked together to create a floating floor.

The floating ground, for people wondering, is a variety of flooring that floats previously mentioned the substrate.

This technique is expense-successful, straightforward to put in (particularly if you are an enthusiastic DIYer), and effortless to remove. But you have to be a hundred% specified that the subfloor is degree prior to setting up the planks. In any other case, you won’t get an stylish end.

Pros
  • Cost-effective
  • Easy installation
  • Has an elegant finish
  • Easy to remove
Cons
  • Requires a level subfloor

2. Nail-Down

The nail-down installation method is not that popular, almost certainly because of to the quantity of function that has to go into it throughout set up and repairs. The only individuals who choose it are house owners who comprehend that they’ll have to connect their engineered flooring to a wood subfloor, to get a best end and eliminate the likelihood of gaps forming. And that attachment can only be produced achievable by means of nailing.

To prevent the planks from transferring after set up, owing to temperature alterations, you’ll have to add a small glue.

Pros
  • Will deliver a perfect finish
  • No gaps between planks
Cons
  • Strenuous installation process
  • Not easy to repair
  • Sensitive to temperature

3. Adhesive

As you may have guessed, this technique included utilizing some kind of glue to make confident the joints are properly related. The adhesive set up method may not be effective on subfloors created of wooden, but it will go the distance if you’re applying it on individuals manufactured of concrete.

With adhesive flooring you’ll never hear creaks, offer with gaps in in between planks, wrestle with installation, or feel like the ground is unstable.

But if you are seeking to install an adhesive engineered wood flooring, be mentally geared up for the operate forward when it comes to repairs. Getting rid of and replacing people planks has never ever been easy.

Pros
  • User-friendly installation process
  • No creaking
  • Very stable
  • No gaps between planks
Cons
  • Not easy to repair

Pressure Applied Engineered Wood

4. High pressure engineered wood

These types of installations typically have a quite large resistance to drinking water and hearth chemicals, thanks to their solid build. And they usually produce in the toughness section, courtesy of the processing method employed in creation.

To make a substantial-force engineered board, brands normally saturate several compact layers of the content in a artificial polymer referred to as Phenol Formaldehyde Resin. For the process to be successful, it has to be carried out under intense pressure.

The only discouraging issue about putting in large-force engineered wooden is the price. Besides becoming greater than that of the immediate-force engineered board, the fees also boost per sq. meter of installation.

Pros
  • High resistance to water and chemicals
  • Sturdy
  • Durable
Cons
  • High installation costs

5. Direct pressure engineered wood

8 Different Types of Engineered Wood Flooring (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Kyle Lee, Shutterstock

The distinction among these boards and their counterparts is the simple fact that their levels are only infused when. And as a consequence, the bonds among them are typically weaker, making the material more inclined to use and friction.

Immediate-stress engineered wooden is a excellent flooring option for residential structures because it cannot take care of the large visitors seasoned in professional buildings. Also, as implied previously on, it’s considerably less pricey.

Pros
  • Not as costly as high-pressure engineered wood
  • Great for residential buildings
Cons
  • Susceptible to tear and friction
  • Cannot handle high foot traffic

Engineered Wood Texture

No one stated you couldn’t have the very best of each worlds when it arrives to flooring. You can put in an engineered wooden flooring and give it a texture that mimics that of the authentic content. But the texture you choose to go with will depend on the location you program on putting in it.

6. Distressed Texture

Distressed flooring has a texture that is not only dramatic but also irregular in colour, with prominent knots. It is due to the fact of this search that things like dents and scratches will variety of blend seamlessly into it.

Unless of course you are the home-owner who understands its original sort absolutely everyone else will just believe people rugged vibes are element of the design and style! The other advantages consist of lower upkeep, increased longevity, and flexibility.

Unfortunately even though, since the materials is device-manufactured, the carbon footprint produced is considerably more substantial.

Pros
  • Versatile
  • Durable
  • Low maintenance
  • Hides dents and scratches
Cons
  • Large carbon footprint

7. Wire Brushed

If you’re not into rustic looks, notably these that make homes appear more conventional, you could settle for wire brushed boards. They are boards that have been treated with oil soon after currently being lightly sanded. Your ground will nevertheless appear genuine and be very good at concealing scratches or damage.

Can the flooring endure dress in and tear? Totally. That is why it is usually advisable for homes that have plenty of foot visitors and animals. That currently being explained, if you have by no means enjoyed cleansing, you must go with a different ground option—this one will be rapid to accumulate filth.

Pros
  • Makes your home look traditional
  • Conceals scratches and damage
  • Can withstand wear and tear
  • Ideal for pet owners
Cons
  • Quick to collect dirt and grime

8. Hand Scraped

The scraped choice is excellent for people searching for that ‘old’ or ‘worn’ look. You know, the kind of look that leaves you pondering, “could this be a new set up or an aged 1?” It brings authenticity to the table, and that is certainly a excellent issue. We also preferred how durable its complete was, but disliked the installation process—you’ll have to be a pro to set up this a single.

Pros
  • Looks authentic
  • Durable
Cons
  • Difficult to install

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the thickness of the wood equate to durability?

No, it doesn’t. Just simply because the wood appears thicker than most woods does not automatically mean that it will provide you for a lifetime. Toughness is all about how considerably harm the wood can consider and even now appear very good. It’s often decided by the force used while making it too—if it is substantial-force engineered, you know you’ve got anything tough.

How do you get a sticky substance off an engineered wood floor?

The worst blunder that you could ever make is to use a sharp instrument to get substances off the ground. What you will end up performing is harmful the floor and spending a lot more income doing work on repairs.

When working with sticky substances, all you want is a detergent and an acidic cleaner. These two things will make certain the quantity of scrubbing required is not too extreme so as to hurt your boards.

Are engineered floors biodegradable?

Regrettably, they are not. They pollute the environment just the exact same way plastics do. As a subject of reality, they could even be even worse, viewing as some of them are usually produced employing chemical compounds that could easily compromise our immune and respiratory systems.

Final words

By now you can notify that engineered wooden flooring is the most current pattern in city. We’re guessing you are just as enthusiastic as we are that a lot of people are ready and ready to explore a lot more options in the flooring industry. Only spend after performing your due diligence, however, and you’ll never regret it.


Featured Image Credit score: BILD LLC, Shutterstock

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