GUIDE TO CHOOSING ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Toronto has increasingly become a popular option with homeowners. The fact that it looks almost exactly like solid hardwood flooring and can be installed at almost half the price has made it a go-to option. When choosing the floor, you want to get everything right. These decisions will have a long-term impact. The whole process can seem kind of daunting. We are here to help you with just that.

Different Types of Wood

There is a wide selection of real wood species available with engineered hardwood floors. Following are some of the main species you can choose from.

  1. Oak: when it comes to hardwood flooring, oak is a popular option. It’s ranking in hardness is medium and has a slightly reddish tone. If the European Oak Engineered Timber flooring will experience an average amount of footfall, oak is a great choice.
  2. Maple: This wood has an attractive natural colour. Being one of the hardest wood species, it is a durable option. Hence, it is ideal for the rooms with a lot of foot traffic like the kitchen and mudrooms.
  3. Hickory: It makes for a good choice as the wood is hard and highly resistant to moisture. If looking for a flooring material for a room that faces significant temperature fluctuations, hickory is the way to go. It can easily take high foot traffic.
  4. American Walnut: A softer wood than hickory. It comes with a distinctive flowing grain pattern which is attractive. The American Walnut wooden flooring is available in rich opulent colours. It easily pairs with various themes of home décor.

The thickness of the Ply

Engineered hardwood planks are available in various thicknesses. Some of these planks have more than seven layers of thickness. If you opt for a lower-quality engineered wood, its thinness can be around 3/8th of an inch. Whereas, the best-quality planks have several layers. It is usually about ¾ of an inch. Each layer has a crucial role to play. The topmost layer is the most important one and should be thicker.

The Core of the Plank

The core of the plank determines the durability of the flooring. It provides support to the top layer and prevents the whole structure from falling apart. There are various options available when it comes to the core:

  1. Plywood: When present at the core of the plank, it gives a great amount of support and durability to it.
  2. HDF: When layered alternatively with plywood, it creates the most stable and durable core option available.
  3. Fibreglass: Not really common, but it isn’t highly supportive. Especially as compared to the other options.

Finishes to choose from

Finishing is when the plank is sealed. It helps to increase the lifespan of the flooring. There are three main finishes you can choose from:

  1. High Gloss: This is the shiniest finish and perfects when you need to impress.
  2. Matte: This finish enables you to hide scratches. Perfect for homes with kids and dogs.
  3. Semi-gloss: when you want an amazing looking floor which isn’t too shiny, this is the ideal option.

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