What is 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.
Engineered Timber Flooring can be installed as a floating floor or a direct stick (glue) down method (Just like Tiles) Solid feel & noise reduction on the foot to the subfloor. No need to spend 1000's of dollars packing up the new concrete subfloor with plywood & battens to install real timber flooring, our Engineered Timber Flooring can be installed directly onto new & existing concrete subfloors.
Imperial Flooring Australia offer a large range of exclusive affordable and premium Engineered Timber Flooring Options in Oak & Australian Species.
What are the key benefits of engineered timber flooring?
Long life span
Can be installed in a direct stick glue down method - Providing the best acoustic & stable performance flooring in the market
Hard wearing and easy to clean + maintain
Keep you warm in winter and cool in summer
Each panel is unique with no repetitive pattern
Aesthetic appeal
Highly durable for residential & commercial applications
Versatile with a large variety of options in colour species available
Increased property value
Hypoallergenic: Engineered timber floors do not trap dirt or dust, unlike carpet
Zero to little VOC making it a safe option
Can be installed in kitchen areas with cabinetry installed directly onto the flooring for glue down methods.
Perfect floor covering for subfloors not flat or even reducing costs for floor preparation
Is it better to glue or float an engineered timber floor?
Many installers and manufacturers prefer the glue down method because of its superior stability. Gluing down your floor leads to less shifting and creaking, making the engineered hardwood timber floor feel and sound more secure. You can also glue down floors on any type of subfloor, even if it's uneven.
What is a wear layer (veneer) in engineered timber flooring?
A plank of engineered hardwood flooring consists of an inner core of plywood and a thinner top layer of hardwood. This top layer, often referred to as the wear layer, is what gives engineered hardwood the beautiful appearance of solid hardwood. However, unlike solid hardwood, this wear layer isn’t always thick enough to sand and refinish. One of the perks of having wood floors in your home is the ability to refinish them every 10 to 20 years. While some engineered hardwood floors allow this, others don’t hold up against the process. That’s why understanding the wear layer of an engineered hardwood floor can help you choose the best option for your room. Our products all come with a thick enough wear layer to be able to refinish the floor with a light sand at least 1 time in our 14mm / 2mm Wear Layer options. For further information on the resurfacing process, chat to your local floor sanding & polishing company.
What are the grades of engineered timber flooring?
The most commonly sold timber grade in the Australian market is ABCD grade
AB Grade
This is the highest grade available in timber flooring. This wood is cut from the centre of the tree, and the wood from the centre is much more uniform and has far less knots & imperfections. AB grade flooring has a much lower sap content, usually no more than 5% of the board which leads to a more uniform colour across different boards. If you like an engineered timber floor with minimal feature and character this is for you.
ABC Grade
This wood will contain slightly more knots than the AB grade and can often be larger in size. To ensure the planks can be considered as ABC grade, the knots should be no bigger than 20mm. This timber can contain anywhere up to 10% sap content in each plank, this grade has slightly more varied colour between boards.
ABCD Grade
This grade of timber contains more knots than both AB and ABC grade flooring. These knots can be as big as 50mm in diameter. Manufacturers often use coloured wood filler or “putty” to fill in the larger knots, which then allows for a more even finish. This putty can be either lighter or darker than the board and can look attractive in both ways, depending on personal preference. This is the floor for you if you like feature and character.
What is the construction of engineered timber flooring?
Wear Layer: The top layer of engineered timber flooring is the wear layer. It is made of real hardwood veneer, ranging from 2mm to 6mm in thickness. This layer determines the appearance and characteristics of the flooring, providing the desired wood species, grain pattern, and color.
Core Layer: Beneath the wear layer is the core layer, which provides stability and structural integrity. It is composed of several layers of plywood, high-density fiberboard (HDF), or a combination of both. The core layer’s composition may vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific product.
Backing Layer: The bottom layer of engineered timber flooring is the backing layer. It adds further stability and acts as a balancing layer to counteract the stresses of the wear layer and core layer. The backing layer is usually made of plywood or HDF
Is engineered timber flooring pet friendly?
Yes, engineered timber flooring is a safe option for a home with pets. Engineered timber is designed to be more durable than traditional solid timber flooring with the latest technology on surface coatings. Our engineered flooring collections feature durable coatings that help reduce the risk of scratches, stains, and other issues common in pet-friendly homes.
Is engineered timber flooring child friendly?
Yes, engineered timber flooring is a excellent choice for a home with kids. Engineered timber flooring often features excellent protection on the surface, including stain resistance, scratch resistance, and more. All our engineered options feature premium surface coating.
How do I order engineered oak timber flooring samples? Follow the links below..
Do I need expansion gaps around the perimeter when installing Engineered Timber Flooring?
Yes, Expansion gaps are essential in all laminate, hybrid & engineered flooring installations. Temperature and humidity will change in all rooms. The floor coverings will then expand and contract as the temperature and humidity change, resulting with a defect flooring installation when not leaving the correct allowance of expansion gaps . It's the same with solid and wood floors.
We recommend a minimum of 10mm expansion across the perimeter, but check the product manufacturer requirement guidelines on the flooring collection you purchase.
Can I install engineered timber flooring in kitchen areas?
Yes, engineered timber flooring can be installed in kitchen areas. Engineered Timber Flooring can be installed in kitchen areas with cabinetry installed directly onto the flooring for glue down installation methods for a superior clean finish.
What glue (adhesives) do you recommend for engineered timber flooring direct stick method installation?
What underlay do you recommend for engineered timber flooring for a floating floor method installation?
How to clean & maintain engineered timber flooring?
Simply take some precautions and follow the regular cleaning and maintenance guide.
1. Routine maintenance
• Vacuum, mop or sweep the floor on a regular basis, we recommend minimum once a week or more if needed, to remove dirt, dust, water, grit etc. that can scratch or harm the floor.
• When mopping your timber floors, always use a damp mop. The mop must be as dry as possible. The mop must be cloth-covered and used with a pH neutral floor cleaner. Do not spray or pour excess amount of water or floor cleaner on the floor or allow it to remain on the floor for long periods of time, excess amount of water or floor cleaner may damage the floor.
• Do not use soap based, oil based, ammonia based, wax based or abrasive floor cleaners, acrylic finishes, bleach, or acidic material (e.g vinegar) on the floor which can leave a slippery and dull finish that is extremely hard to remove or may damage and abrasive the floor.
• Never use a steam mop, steel wool or wax and polish on the floor.
• The vacuum must be used with a brushed head, dust filter or with a floor head attachment suitable for wood floors. Do not use the vacuum with a hard head attachment or with a beater bar on the brush roll.
• Always soak up or wipe up any spills (water, wine, pet urine, etc.) on the floor with a dry or clean cloth promptly; most spills can be easily wiped up with the immediate handle. However, some liquids or materials containing strong pigments and dyes may still migrate permanent stains to the floor, such as grease, oil, dyes material, waxes, ball point pens, marker pens, pet accidents, some renovation or construction products (e.g. tar), or foods and beverages such as mustard, curry, wine, coffee or tea, etc. Do not leave spills unattended for an extended period of time.
• Stubborn stains can be removed by spot cleaning using a damp cloth or sponge with concentrate pH neutral floor cleaner (e.g. pH neutral Bona Wood Floor Cleaner) or stain remover designed specifically for wood floors
• Place drip pans beneath indoor plants to prevent water leakage.
• Maintain the indoor temperature above 5°C (preferably between 18°C – 30°C).
• Radiant Underfloor Heating Systems: Make sure the temperature of the floor never exceeds’ 26°C at any time.
Conclusion, why should you choose engineered timber flooring?
Engineered timber flooring has the same look and feel as hardwood timber flooring, but can cost much less than solid timber. Another benefit of engineered timber over solid timber is the ability of engineered timber to adapt well to all types of conditions. Whereas solid timber might warp, fade, move, shrink, or expand due to changes in weather or season, engineered timber will maintain the same quality. Engineered timber flooring can be installed far more quickly and easily than solid hardwood flooring. All our engineered timber flooring products come pre-finished, which means that sanding, staining, or sealing is not required during or after installation. You can save time and money on installation costs by choosing engineered timber whilst maintaining the premium high end finish as solid timber flooring.