Tuesday 23 July 2013

The Advantages of Using Engineered Flooring

While designing the interior of your home, you need to pay careful attention to the flooring that you select. Most people generally go in for hardwood flooring as it lends a rich feel to their home. But it is easier said than done, as hardwood flooring is difficult to install on your own, which in turn implies costs of installation. On the other hand, laminated flooring looks like real wood and is much simpler to install and also not difficult to maintain.

A type of flooring available nowadays is engineered flooring which looks a lot like real wood and is becoming increasingly popular. It is actually a layer of finished wood placed on top of a layer of unfinished plywood below. So, in effect, it can be called 100% real wood. The underlying layer of plywood is crucial as it adds more strength to the flooring. Did you know that for all types of solid hardwood flooring, there is a parallel type of flooring, which is actually engineered wood flooring? Some of the common types of engineered wood include hickory, maple, oak and bamboo, all of which have their own pros and cons.

Another fact about engineered wooden flooring is that it is pre-finished. This means that the upper layer is sealed, so it effectively allows you to walk on the floor immediately after it has been laid out. On the other hand, solid timber or hardwood flooring which is unfinished needs to be pasted on to the underlying floor with glue, which means that it needs time to dry up before one can walk on it. However, the opposite is true in the case of Engineered Flooring as it can be refinished if scratches develop on it, using the method of sanding. However, take care so as not to do the sanding too often; else it may lose its glossy finish, as it is a thin layer of wood after all. Also, regular sanding might cause cracks on the engineered wooden layer. So, the best thing to do would be to call a professional who is trained at doing the job.

A major benefit of engineered wooden flooring is that it can be used in areas which are likely to get wet or damp; therefore it is the perfect choice for spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms or basements which are affected by water. However, be careful as too much water spilled on engineered floors can spoil its sheen.

Solid wood needs to be nailed on to or pasted on top of an underlying wooden substrate, but engineered wooden flooring can be installed in several ways. It depends on the type and thickness of the wood you choose. Engineered wooden flooring can be nailed down or glued like solid wooden flooring or can be simply used as a floating floor. All said and done, engineered floors are worth the investment. Although they may be more costly than laminated flooring, however, in the long run they are value for money and are easy to maintain as well as install.

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This article has been taken from http://victoriandesignerfloors.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/the-advantages-of-using-engineered-flooring/

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