Is your house under renovation? Are you planning to replace the old withered hardwood floors? Considering to ditch the carpet altogether?
Then may we direct your attention to engineered timber flooring? Amongst the latest trends in flooring options, this one stands out the most. That’s because it has the benefits of engineered timber flooring surpass those of the solid hardwoods. Albeit before you make your decision it’s better to have weighed in all the pros and cons of this newest brand of flooring. After all, you don’t want to make a hasty decision!
Here’s all that you need to know about these modified wooden floors:
The Basics: What Is Engineered Timber Flooring?
Generally speaking, the engineered timber is an alternative for traditional hardwood as it tries to overcome the failings of the latter. People prefer it over vinyl and laminate floors because despite the modification engineered floors are still the real deal.
How is it made? Instead of getting sawed off from a particular tree, this modified variety of flooring is a mixture of different wood species. The top layer is made from hardwood veneer while the core essentially consists of high-density fiberboards/plywood/hardwood. The inner layers are responsible for making it sturdier than normal hardwood and the wear layer adds the quintessential solid hardwood element.
Now, that you know what it is, let’s see why you should buy it.
The Pros: What Are the Benefits of Engineered Timber Flooring?
1. A Cost-Effective Flooring Solution
Admit it. Remodeling costs a ton of money and you would do anything to shave off a few bucks during the process. This is where engineered floors help you. They provide the same aesthetic appearance as the traditional hardwood floors. But they are a whole lot cheaper than the pricey solid woods.
So you’re getting the look you want at a fairly affordable price!
2. Highly Durable
One of the biggest disadvantages of solid hardwood floors is that they drink moisture. The floors have a habit of expanding and contracting due to seasonal climate. The end result is that you’ve got some ugly looking swollen floorboards in your hands.
Unlike solid hardwood, engineered wood is resistant to moisture. Its intricately crafted layers block any moisture that seeps into the wood. This helps prevent any form of warping or swelling. Consequently, the modified woods have a longer lifespan than ordinary hardwoods.
3. Environmentally Friendly.
Are you part of the green revolution? Many people have started avoiding solid hardwood floorings because of the deforestation and other environmental concerns. Well, lucky for you this isn’t the case with engineered timber. How is that possible if it’s made from real wood?
Well, for starters, the wood used in this modified variety comes from fast-growing trees. So any tree utilized in the process can be replaced rather quickly. The other plus point with engineered timber is that the veneer wood is sliced now sawed. This substantially reduces the amount of wood and shaving wasted during the manufacturing process. The fact that the veneer layer is pretty thin is an added bonus.
4. Easy and Simple Installation
If you’ve remodeled your house before then you know that the flooring installations are tedious and time-consuming. The bigger the house the longer it will take for you to cover it up with traditional flooring options.
On the contrary, the installation process for engineered timber is pretty basic. It can be nailed down, glued or connected with grooves. With the right kind of contractors, your project will be completed in no time.
The Cons: Is There Anything to Worry About?
1. Competitive Costs
You might wonder why the cost is an issue here. Didn’t we just say that this flooring option was affordable? Yet, this aspect is still brought up in arguments where the buyer is comparing the engineered floors with laminated and vinyl options. That’s why we figured that it’s better to get things straight.
Engineered timber floors might cost slightly more than your average flooring options. But considering the fact that laminated and vinyl floors aren’t even real wood, it’s worth the investment. Moreover, the wooden floors are easier to maintain. You don’t have to struggle with stubborn stains or spend much money on cleaning supplies here.
On the whole, the modified wood variety is actually not that expensive. Plus, the authentic woodsy appearance adds this refined and classy look to your homes. This is something its competition can’t achieve.
2. Thin Veneers
Another disadvantage with engineered woods is the thin veneer. While that kind of consistency helps protect the environment it narrows down the refinishing option. That’s because if you re-sand it too many times than you might tamper the veneer and damage the core. At most, you can sand and refinish the floors at least twice in its lifetime.
Pro-tip: A thicker veneer or alternative refinishing option can help you here!
3. Core Problem
Considering the fact that engineered timber floorings are man-made things you should be wary of shabby finishing. Some contractors try to deceive you by filling the core with low-quality wood or basic fiberboards. The outcome is shabby looking flooring with a shorter lifespan.
You can avoid this by collaborating with reputable professionals who are committed to their jobs.
The Verdict: So Is It Worth the Hype?
Yes, it is! Engineered timber floors put homeowners at an advantage because of its practicality, durability and low maintenance. They are simply worth every because they aren’t much of a hassle in the long run. Even the cons are easy to manage because it doesn’t create a dent in your main objective i.e. to get beautiful floorboards made from authentic wood!
How Can Australian Sustainable Hardwoods Help?
ASH uses authentic Australian wood for all its furnishings. Their Australian Oak collection is one of the best flooring options in Australia. They rely on smooth finishing, durable timber cladding, glossy laminated timber and an assortment of options to make every purchase worthwhile.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s go get you the best engineered timber flooring out there!
About Simon:-
Simon is an entrepreneur and self proclaimed jack of all trades. Currently Simon works as Marketing Consultant for ASH, one of the prominent suppliers of IronAsh, AlpineOak, laminated timber and other wide range of amazing hardwood products in Australia. Another niche for Simon is travel and outdoors leisure, including sporting equipment and bikes. A big kid at heart if it goes fast, bounces, slides or you can climb it Simon has put it to the test.
