Pros and cons of engineered timber flooring
An article written by Imperial Flooring Australia discussing the Pros and cons of engineered timber flooring.
Engineered timber flooring is an alternative to solid timber floors that consists of a real hardwood top layer (wear layer veneer) ranging (2mm-6mm in thickness) manufactured on top of a multi layer plywood structure core. Engineered timber is designed to be more stable than traditional solid timber floors. This style of flooring works so that the grain runs perpendicularly, giving the flooring much more strength & stability with minimal expansion and contraction with the changes in seasonal weather conditions. Making this type of timber perfect for Australian building projects due to the volatile climate.
Pros of Engineered Timber Flooring
Luxury appeal
Authentic look & aesthetic appeal, each panel is unique with no repetitive pattern telling it's own beautiful story throughout each panel. Engineered Timber Flooring is versatile with a large variety of options in colour species available.
Adds value
Increases property value and adds a touch of luxury to every household / project. Engineered Timber adds value to your home, and this is often a tactic people employ to increase their home’s value. Engineered hardwood will accomplish the same thing and is a great way to add some extra long-term value to your property. Even if you aren’t looking to sell right now engineered hardwood flooring can be an investment for the future.
Extremely durable & low maintenance
Hard wearing and easy to clean + maintain. Highly durable for residential & commercial applications.
Engineered Timber Flooring Keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer
Long lifespan
Engineered timber flooring provides a long life span for up to 100 years.
The best installation method available
Engineered Wood can be installed in a direct stick glue down method, Not only the best feel to the foot when walking on wood stuck floors, it also provides one of the best acoustic & stable performing flooring available to the Australian market, considering our harsh climate.
Hypoallergenic
Engineered timber floors do not trap dirt or dust, unlike carpet. Engineered Timber Flooring has Zero to little VOC making it a safe option for all families.
Suitable for kitchens
Engineered Timber can be installed in kitchen areas with cabinetry/joinery installed directly onto the flooring for glue down methods, giving a touch of luxury to every finish detail.
Temperature and moisture resistance
Due to its composite core layers, engineered timber flooring is not as sensitive to changes in temperature or to moisture as solid wood flooring.
Suitable for most subfloors
Engineered Timber is the perfect floor covering selection for subfloors not flat or even reducing costs for floor preparation. Engineered Timber Flooring can be installed directly to concrete subfloors with the correct moisture barrier, say goodbye to the good old days with high cost of having to install builders film, battens & plywood on concrete before commencing the installation of timber floors.
Affordable cost
Lower costs compared to solid timber flooring, providing a more affordable alternative.
Cons of Engineered Timber Flooring
Limited resurfacing
Limited Resurfacing applications compared to solid timber flooring. Because of the veneer layer, an engineered hardwood floor can only be sanded and refinished a few times—and sometimes only once.
Higher maintenance requirements.
Higher Level of Maintenance required, since the surface layer of an engineered timber floor is made of real hardwood, you will need to actively maintain your floor in order to retain its quality and protect it from water & moisture damage. A little care and maintenance is all is needed. Read more on our 5 top tips to cleaning and maintaining engineered timber flooring.
Not very DIY friendly
Engineered Timber Flooring is often not considered an easy DIY option to install, especially when it comes to installing engineered wood in a direct stick glue down method; having to seek a professional to install the product increasing project costs. But all nice things in life come at a price and compromising on one of the biggest features within a property when it comes to floors is continued mistake we tend see in building projects across the country.
Conclusion on pros and cons of engineered timber flooring
Call us bias, but the pros of engineered timber flooring far out way the cons making it the perfect and our premium selection on your search for the right flooring option. With just a little care and regular maintenance, your engineered timber floors will be looking luxurious for many years to come.