Oak Flooring

The Benefits of Engineered Oak Flooring

Engineered oak flooring is becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners and interior designers. Its versatility, durability, and perhaps most importantly, its stunning aesthetic appeal, mean that for many customers, it is the obvious style choice. It looks authentic and traditional but with the added benefit of being significantly more economical than solid hardwood flooring and, often one of the most important points for new projects, is that fact that it can be used with underfloor heating where non-engineered hardwood floors cannot.

How is engineered wood flooring made?

Engineered oak flooring is a type of wood flooring that is created by bonding real hardwood oak to mutliple layers of plywood. The layering of materials creates a highly durable and stable flooring material with many benefits. 

It is the perfect choice for areas that have underfloor heating. The engineered layering makes the wood flooring super stable and hence it can cope with the stresses of underfloor heating. Its acoustic properties suit perfectly entertaining or relaxation areas in the home such as dining rooms, lounges, snugs etc. There is no clacking of foot-steps or hollow echoes that can occur with stone or tiled floors and the wood helps to create a beautifuly warm and welcoming aesthetic.

The layered materials used to create the flooring create a structure which prevents warping or movement sometimes found in natural wood flooring. Once installed it has very low maintenance requirements. Engineered flooring is easy to keep clean and looking its best as it only requires an occasional vacuum clean or wipe with a damp cloth, though bare in mind, that engineered wood floors are not water resistant and shouldn't be installed in areas that are likely to get wet often.

An attractive feature of wood floors is its versatility. The oak layer can be finished in a wide range of stunning styles and rich colours making it easy to adapt to any home interior and decor. Whether you prefer a warm and rustic atmosphere or a slick contemporary style, engineered oak flooring can be installed to suit your tastes. Engineered hardwood is available in light and dark tones, in an antiqued style, or with a herringbone design. This makes it easy to see why it is such a popular flooring option. 

For many customers today, design choices are more than just about cost and aesthetics. Materials and products which are environmentally friendly are becoming more and more popular. Engineered oak flooring falls into this eco-friendly category. It is more sustainable than traditional solid wood flooring as it uses less wood. The combination of its stunning appearance, coupled with its environmentally friendly qualities can only add to the appeal of solid wood floors.

Is engineered wood flooring easy to install?

Installation of engineered wood flooring is easy and straightforward. It can be glued down or nailed down, on a variety of sub-floor types, including concrete, plywood and existing flooring. This means preparation is minimal, taking away the time-consuming and costly process of preparing the sub-floor before installation.

Is engineered hardwood flooring expensive?

Investing in engineered oak flooring is investing in the long-term value of your home. Wooden flooring is an aesthetically desirable option and as discussed has a whole range of other beneficial qualities. It is durable and versatile. It is economical and easy to install. And perhaps most importantly when improving the decor of your home - it looks stunning! Its installation will also provide your home with some green credentials, which will undoubtedly improve the sale value should you choose to move house. If your tastes are drawn to the appearance of a solid wood floor, then perhaps you should consider engineered oak flooring as an alternative!