Engineered Timber Flooring: All You Need To Know

One of the most common types of flooring used these days is the Engineered Timber Flooring, although many of its users are not aware about this term. This type of flooring is made with 3-12 multiple ply layers which are layered on top of each other in multiple directions, glued and then pressed against each other. The layers of the inner core are made up of hard or soft plywood that follows the tongue and groove system. The top layer is made up of thick hardwood veneer wear layer which is glued and pressed to the top surface. Almost all wood species have been engineered to make hardwood flooring.
Engineered timber flooring proves out to be more cost effective and easier and quicker to install as compared to solid wood flooring.

Here is an insight into the benefits of engineered timber flooring:

1. The dimensions of engineered timber panels are larger than solid planks and width of engineered timber panel is not limited unlike a solid wood plank.

2. Nailing engineered wood over joists does not require any plywood sub flooring.

3. In areas such as basements and where concrete has been used, solid wood flooring might not be suitable. Engineered timber flooring comes to rescue in such situations and others where there is a radiant heating of the floor.

4. Engineered timber flooring are available in attractive appearances due to a variety of designs and finishes.

5. Engineered wood does not gap or cup like solid wood.
You should be concerned with the amount of traffic that your flooring is going to be pitched against. If there is going to be a lot of traffic, such as in a shopping mall, then engineered timber floor with a thick wear layer is a must. If there is going to be moderate traffic and proper maintenance can be carried out, then a very thick layer is not required.

Using engineered timber flooring also gives you a satisfaction that your decision has saved our precious forests. A square foot of 3/4 inch solid wood flooring is equivalent to 4 times that size when translated into engineered timber flooring.

Singapore markets are filled with a multitude of engineered timber flooring manufacturers. The age old popular adage “you get what you pay for” holds true for engineered timber flooring. The less costly flooring is usually 3 /8 inch thick and have a paper thin wear layer. On the other end of the price line, you will find flooring with thick wear layer that can be sanded and refinished to look like new if need be later.

The flooring industries’ biggest problem is that the perspective buyer does not have a true knowledge of the quality of engineered timber flooring and retailers are readily intermingling different qualities of the flooring. This result in the customer purchasing a low quality flooring for a higher price only to have it fail at the place of installation. It is very necessary for the consumer to know the difference between different qualities of engineered timber flooring and then only make a wise and informed decision while picking up flooring in markets in Singapore.