Several residential as well as commercial property owners are installing engineered wooden floorings considering that they offer several benefits over real hardwood and other flooring materials. Engineered wood floorings look exactly like natural wood but are actually made up by layering a thin real wood veneer over plywood or other MDF core layers. They are easy to install, versatile and are available at a much cheaper cost. If you, too, are evaluating different materials for wooden floorings, and want to know more about engineered wood flooring, this post is for you. Here we will answer four most frequently asked questions about engineered wood flooring in India. 

 

1. Real hardwood floors or engineered wooden floors - Which one’s better?

 

This is a matter of budget and preference. Real hardwood floors are known for their rich appeal, sturdy support and long lasting nature, but they are very high maintenance and costly. Real hardwood floors are also prone to warping, expanding and contracting under high temperature and moisture conditions. Engineered wood floorings are cost effective flooring solutions which have a layer of veneer giving them the same aesthetic appeal as real wood but at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, engineered wood floorings offer superior resistance to water heat and so they can be laid on a variety of surfaces without the problems of warping, buckling or drying out. The installation of engineered wood floorings is also comparatively easy and less messy.

 

2. What is the difference between engineered wood flooring and laminate flooring?

 

While engineered wood floorings are made of a veneer layer over a premium plywood core, laminate floorings are composed of high density fiberboards with a printed photographic wear layer on top. Engineered wood has more dimensional stability than lighter laminates. Engineered wood floors are a little more expensive than laminates but also offer longer durability. Engineered wood floors from reputable brands can last up to 30 years while laminate floorings tend to wear off after 15 to 20 years. Another benefit of engineered wood floors is that they have a lower abrasion rate compared to laminate floors. But the biggest difference between engineered wood flooring and laminate flooring is their appearance. Laminate wood flooring might try to replicate the same finished look as engineered wood but it does not match the feel due to the lack of real wood veneer on top.  

 

3. What are the downsides of installing engineered wood flooring?

 

Engineered wood floors have several benefits but they have a few downsides too. Though engineered wood floors have a good resistance to moisture but are not waterproof. Therefore, engineered wood floors cannot be installed in bathrooms, toilets or other high moisture areas. Another disadvantage of engineered wooden floors is that as they age they begin to lose some color. It is also not easy to refresh the look of an old engineered wood flooring as there is a limit to re-polishing and sanding it. Further, you cannot use chemical cleaners on engineered wood as it tends to damage the surface, and so it may not be suitable for spaces with high traffic, pets or kids which may require frequent cleaning. 

 

4. Can engineered wooden flooring be customized?

 

Yes, engineered wooden floors are highly customizable. Engineered wooden floorings are available in a range of sizes, thickness, textures, or colors, so you can get the engineered wooden flooring customized according to your preference. They are also available in horizontal and vertical grains and are suitable for large flooring surfaces that require a consistent pattern across the entire surface for a cohesive look.

 

Last words

These were some of the most frequently asked questions on wooden floorings. We hope you have better clarity about engineered wood floors by now. If you have any other questions, get in touch with a leading laminate manufacturer in india. It will also help you discover the best range of solutions for wooden floorings suitable for your residential or commercial space.