Picking the right flooring for your spaces is a big deal. It is a decision based on practicality and visual appeal, so it takes time to reach. Engineered hardwood is a great floor choice with winning properties. It is made from several layers underneath the veneer. The material possesses several excellent features. Being that it is made from wood, you can expect a wide selection of timbers and finishes; thus, you have a decision to make.
Any buyer interested in purchasing engineered wood should know what their options are. With information, you can make the best decision for your space. Paying for quality is an investment guaranteeing long-term use and an increase in value for your room. To choose a suitable floor, here are some insightful guidelines to steer you in the right direction.
The costs
An essential part of any purchase is the budget. While taste drives some choices, finances say it all. It comes down to quality and the strips you want because, in flooring purchase, you get what you pay for. One strip plank is more costly than three-strip wood floors sawn from a single log. Engineered wood floors come in various kinds of wood, so the quality you choose will affect the price. Additionally, depending on the surface treatment you choose from metallic stains, beveled and hand scraped finishes for your floors, you will have to pay more.
Which wood?
With any wood flooring, consumers have an array of choices. Oak, maple, beech and walnut are only a few of the options one has. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference. Different types of woodwork with varying styles of interior. Some wood tones marry well with modern styles, while others blend perfectly in traditional space settings.
Longevity
How long will the floor last? When looking at different engineered flooring choices, the material’s longevity is an essential factor to help make your choice. The longevity of your floors is determined by the thickness of the solid top floor and the foot traffic in the space. High floor traffic subjects the floor to more punishment leading to wear. If you want your floors to last, consider going to even nine plies for total thickness. Take into account the recommendations for sanding and refinishing. While some beautiful hardwood floors do not need sanding, those that do have suggestions of how much you should remove on the surface layer.
Best core equals best floors
If I do say so myself, your floor is only as good as its core. Most engineered hardwood cores are either made from fiberboard or plywood. Are they both wood? Yes absolutely, while both are made from natural wood, they differ all the same. Fiberboard is made from chunks of wood glued together under pressure, whereas plywood is constructed with individual wood fibers glued perpendicularly. Which is better, you ask? In terms of strength and durability, plywood takes the crown.
Scratch resilience quality
When it comes to wood in general, maintenance to keep the floors in the best condition is high. Thankfully, wood comes in different species, so the hardness scale varies. The higher the rating, the more scratch-resistant the flooring. Floors that stand up best to scratches, dents and dings will be best if you have pets or children in your space: harder wood species are the best choice in this case.
The more finishes, the better
Most buyers prefer finished engineered hardwood floors because of the character it adds to their space. How far do you go with the coating? When buying engineered wood, the more the coats, the higher the durability of your floors. Layers of at least five coats on the floors will ensure you do not worry about refinishing earlier than you’d like. However, if you would like more, you can get up to nine coats of finish just to give your floor more extra layers of durability.
The right floor can be a valuable investment for your space. Apart from upping the curb appeal, it increases the value of your property. How do you ensure you choose the right flooring? Engineered hardwood floors come in variety; thus, you need to select your space best. Luckily this guide will come in handy when making your decision. Use it to narrow down your options to flooring worth your buck! Visit our engineered hardwood page to view our selection of materials.
