Timber floor installation companies in Melbourne

ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORS - HOW ARE THEY MADE OF?

The best engineered wood floors are manufactured having 3-12 multiple ply layers that are cross layered, glued and pressed together. The internal core layers are generally built up with either a hardwood and/or soft plywood type of material, which incorporates the tongue and groove fastening system along the edges of the boards. The top thicker hardwood veneer wear layeris then glued and pressed on the top surface of the core. Engineered hardwood flooring is available in almost any wood species. The profits of using engineered wood floors include more resistance to slightly lower and higher moisture levels than solid wood flooring, which adds to their appeal to use in damp basements or in regions of the country that have higher or lower than normal relative humidity levels. Also, engineered flooring (excluding the newer Click Lock flooring) can be direct glued-down over (dry) concrete slabs above or below grade or stapled down over a wood subfloor. Quality Engineered Hardwood flooring has the same resale value as 3/4" solid wood flooring, if you ever decide to sell your home.

Click Lock engineered flooring is becoming a more and more popular trend in the melbourne engineered timber flooring market. Click locking engineered boards have special tongue and groove systems that simply lock together, forming a tight seam and a seamlessly smooth presence. Click locking floating engineered floors require absolutely no glue during installation and just lay over a foam or cork underlayment. Click locking engineered floors can be installed on any grade level in the home and not only over traditional plywood or concrete subfloors.

Engineered wood floors are manufactured two ways. first way is where the top surface wear layer is Sliced/Sawn cut from the log like solid wood flooring is. Engineered hardwood flooring that has a Sliced/Sawn cut wear layer displays the ordinary look of the wood and finer graining. Sliced/Sawn cut engineered flooring also allows a thicker wear layer.

Engineered wood floors can also be Rotary cut, which the veneer hardwood wear layer is peeled off the log using big lathes. This peeling method can show dramatic wilder graining.

Buying engineered wood flooring supports preserve expensive prized wood. For every 1 sq foot of 3/4 inch thick solid wood flooring manufactured you can manufacturer approx 4 times that amount into engineered wood flooring. Engineered wood flooring is the finest flooring to provide people with to conserve our forests.

Advantages of engineered wood flooring

Any hardwood timber floor can be a great savings as it adds a natural, timeless appeal to your property, along with warmth and luxury. Engineered hardwood flooring is an alternative to solid hardwood flooring as it has more strength, can be less costly, and it is very difficult to differentiate between the two once they have been installed.

Engineered wood timber flooring is constructed in such a way that it offers better solidity and resistance to variations in temperature and moisture. The exciting part is that it looks like solid wood flooring as the top layer is real, solid wood but it then has a plywood base construction underneath. The top layer of hardwood runs perpendicular to the plywood base, which produces the strength and stability of the

As the top layer is real wood, engineered hardwood timber flooring can be found in a wide range of species, colours and finishes, just like solid wood flooring. It is usually found in fixed lengths, but is available in different thickness ranging from 12.5mm – 22mm.

Because engineered hardwood flooring is dimensionally stable, it also means that it can be installed in a number of different ways, including: nailed or screwed down, glued down using flexible flooring adhesive or floated over an underlay.

The main advantages of engineered hardwood timber flooring are that it is

  • Less expensive than solid hardwood flooring
  • Hard to tell apart from solid wood flooring once installed
  • Has a real layer of wood on top (unlike laminate flooring)
  • More resistant to fluctuations in temperature and humidity than solid wood flooring
  • A steady product so can be installed in a variety of ways to suit your property and preference
  • Frequently found with a click fitting system, making it fast and easy to install
  • Available in different wood species, styles, colours, finishes and plank widths
  • The top layer (wear layer) can be sanded and re-finished if necessary

Engineered hardwood flooring should not be confused with laminate flooring, which is only a picture of wood flooring laminated onto a base layer.

Engineered hardwood timber flooring – what is a wear layer?

Engineered hardwood timber flooring is constructed by attaching multiple layers of wood together and the top layer or ‘wear layer’ is the surface of the flooring that is walked on. The wear layer \is the chosen species of wood, for example, Walnut or Oak and once the flooring has been installed it is almost impossible to tell the difference between engineered wood flooring and solid wood flooring by sight alone. Beneath the wear layer are several layers of wood that have been glued together at 90 degrees to each other to give dimensional steadiness to the planks of timber flooring. This technique of construction means that engineered timber hardwood flooring is more resilient to temperature and humidity than solid wood flooring.

The wear layer of engineered wood timber flooring is generally between 2.5mm and 6mm in depth, reliant on the quality and type of flooring you wish to purchase. It must be thicker than 2mm, else it is classed as veneered wood flooring. Also, it is important not to mistake engineered wood flooring for laminate flooring, which does not consist of any hardwood at all.

The thickness of the wear layer of engineered hardwood flooring will slowly get worn down with time due to daily wear and tear. If the wear layer needs sanding and re-finishing this can be done without any issues, as long as you do not sand through the wear layer into the base layers of the planks of flooring. So, a thicker wear layer will inevitably give your flooring a longer life.

How to care for Engineered wood flooring-:

The closest thing to solid wood flooring, engineered wood will give you a classically high end finish, a luxurious feel underfoot and timeless styling. Made from layers of timber boards, topped with a real hardwood veneer, engineered wood flooring is versatile, easy to install and looks simply stunning wherever it is fitted. Keep it looking its utter best by caring for it in the right way. Here are some information, packed with expert hints and tips on cleaning and maintenance Engineered wood flooring to help you.

  • 1.Use manufacturer Recommended Liquid Cleaner-:Different styles of engineered hardwood floors require different cleaners. When you’re looking for a liquid cleaner, it’s important you choose one that has been manufactured or recommended by the same company that created your floor. If you use the wrong type of liquid cleaner, you could seriously damage your engineered hardwood.
  • 2.Do Not Use Excessive Water-:Extra water is the enemy of your engineered hardwood floors, and it could cause irreversible damage or stains if it stays on your floor too long. Of course, life happens, and you’ll occasionally spill something on your floor. When that occurs, make sure you wipe it up right away. As you’re cleaning up the spill, be sure to blot gently instead of scrubbing or using forceful pressure. Putting too much pressure on your floor could press the liquid into the layers and cause damage
  • 3.Dry mop and vacuum daily-: No matter what type of floor you have at home, dirt and grime can cause difficulties. When you walk around on your floor, these particulates will act as abrasives that can scratch the finish and leave it susceptible to damage. Therefore, one of the best ways to keep your engineered hardwood floors clean and safe from damage is to dry mop or vacuum them every day.

Engineered timber flooring preventive maintenance methods

Good preventative maintenance between cleanings can help make sure your engineered hardwood floors stay beautiful for so many years. First, you want to make sure you keep the right environmental conditions inside your house. Aim to maintain the temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels between 35 and 55 percent. Wood reacts to changes in temperature and humidity. If the air inside your house is too warm or dry, the wood in your floors can become brittle and possibly crack or split. On the other hand, if you have too much moisture in your air, the wood can swell and buckle.

Since it’s important to keep dirt off of your floor, consider putting a doormat outside all exterior doors to trap dirt before it enters your house. You can also put a throw rug just inside the entrance for added protection. Just make sure you regularly clean the rugs. If you want to protect your floors from accidental spills in the kitchen, cotton area rugs in front of the sink, stove, and refrigerator work best because you can easily wash cotton. Just make sure you don’t use mats with a rubber backing since they can trap water underneath. If you want to help prevent scratches and marks on your floor, don’t use furniture with rolling casters because they can cause damage. Instead, put fabric glides on the bottom of furniture legs. These glides will let the furniture move easily across the floor without scuffing it. Just make sure you remember to occasionally clean the glides to remove dirt that gets embedded in them. You should also consider keeping your pets’ nails trimmed and keeping your shoes in good repair to prevent scratches.

Engineered hardwood floors are a popular choice for homes because of their beauty and durability. With these helpful cleaning tips, you can make sure your floors continue to stay lovely for years to come.

FAQ about Engineered wood flooring

  • WHAT'S THE ADVANTAGE OF USING AN ENGINEERED WOOD FLOOR OVER A SOLID NAIL DOWN FLOOR? Engineered hardwood floors can be installed in areas where there is slightly higher relative humidity levels. Engineered wood flooring being more steady is a great choice to use in summer homes where the heat is turned lesser when no people is there. Because manufacturing engineered flooring doesn’t waste valuable prized wood below its wear layer purchasing engineered flooring also supports preserve our forests.
  • CAN I USE ENGINEERED FLOORS IN MY BASEMENT?Yes, as long as the humidity content of the concrete does not exceed 4%. Basements are known to have higher relative humidity due to being under the ground. It is recommended to use a floating engineered wood floor which allows the use of a 4-6-mil plastic vapor barrier in any parts where there is a higher moisture conditions.
  • DOES IT MATTER WHAT SIZE WIDTH BOARD OR COLOR TO USE? Is one width better than another?Using whatever width board you prefer aesthetically. Usually a narrower board will give you a more formal look and impression to your floor. A wider board will give you a more Country look and feel. Floor colour is your own choice that would have more to do with your personal tastes and decor. A natural light coloured wood floor will go with any décor and will lighten up the room.
  • CAN I GLUE DOWN AN ENGINEERED WOOD FLOOR OVER MY CONCRETE SLAB THAT IS ON GRADE? Yes, you should make sure that your slab is dry and that the moisture content does not exceed. Again, depending on your particular situation we may recommend using a floating engineered floor. Like any wood product, engineered hardwood expands and contracts because of changes in moisture levels. Due to that reason, make sure you use an adhesive that contains no water – like a moisture cure urethane or modified silicone adhesive. Your adhesive desires to combine bond strength and flexibility.
  • ARE ALL BRANDS OF ENGINEERED FLOORS SAME? No its not same, like everything else you purchase there can be big differences in quality. Some manufacturers use a lower quality wood along with low grade, cheaper bonding glues for their ply layers. Their milling could also be off and their finish quality could be poor
  • WHAT IS THE STRUDINESS OF ENGINEERED FLOOR PLANKS?Engineered hardwood planks are built differently. They’re still made of wood, but instead of a single plank, they’re made up of many different layers. Each layer is positioned in a different direction than those surrounding it. This means that when the wood is exposed to moisture, it’s much more stable and doesn’t warp or hump the way that a solid hardwood floor might. For this reason, an engineered hardwood floor will last much longer in damp areas, and can be installed below grade and in places where solid hardwood cannot. So, if you have a building with a basement level, and you still want a hardwood floor to enhance the appearance of the area, an engineered hardwood floor will be a much more durable choice than a solid hardwood or a laminate
  • WHY IS A THICKER PLANK IMPORTANT?The main cause the wear layer thickness is significant in your decision making process is that it basically dictates how many times a particular engineered floor can be sanded and refinished. Sanding and refinishing a hardwood floor is not generally something that homeowners do very frequently. Typically, it’s something that would be done if your flooring is showing a lot of wear, scratches, dents, etc. and you would like to give the hardwood a bit of a face lift, taking it back to its original and new looking appearance. This process involves taking a tiny bit of the wear layer off to remove the scratches and dents by sanding the entire floor. Then, a coat of finish would be applied to the hardwood to restore the original sheen.
  • WHAT ENGINEERED HARD WOOD FLOORS INSTALLATION METHODS?similar hardwood floors, engineered planks are available in two different styles: traditional tongue and groove and modern click-lock technology, which let you literally snap boards together. You can select to either nail, glue, staple or float the boards over a 2-cm (3/4-inch) thick plywood subfloor. If you are working with a concrete subfloor, then you should stick with floating or gluing. The special properties of engineered hardwood floors allow you to install this versatile product in a wide range of rooms whether they are on, below or above grade. Each engineered hardwood installation method requires specific tools, preparation, materials and carpentry knowledge, but engineered hardwoods are generally easier and faster to install than solid hardwoods. Additionally, solid hardwood is not suggested for below grade or moisture-prone rooms.
  • IS ENGINEERED HARDWOOD REALLY MOISTURE RESISTANT?While the creation of engineered hardwood makes it more resistant to moisture and seasonal fluctuations, it is still disposed to water damage. Engineered wood floors should not be installed in rooms that have high humidity, which growths the risk of warping and mold growth. Pet urine as well as burst pipes and slow leaks from bathtubs, dishwashers and sinks can seriously damage floors. In high-risk areas, it is a good practice to allow for air movement between the flooring and foundation so that moisture can dry out. Basements and concrete subfloors require glue down or floating floor systems.
  • LIFE TIME OF ENGINEERED FLOORING? Most engineered wood flooring is designed to last a life span of between 20 and 30 years. This number overlaps with the replacement period of most other aspects of a home such as the roof and certain appliances. They manufacturer of the engineered wood flooring can provide more detailed information relative to the life span of their brand of engineered wood flooring. Manufacturers will provide different life span information for the flooring that the produce and sell to the public.
  • WILL MY ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORING FADE OVER TIME?All hardwood flooring obviously counters to ambient light as it gets older, but direct sunlight exposure can darken or lighten an exposed zone. An aluminum oxide finish paired with a UV coating supports to slow down this shading process. Also be aware of irregularly moving your furniture and rugs around the room to prevent noticeable spots from forming. Mats and rugs with latex, vinyl or rubber backing also contribute to floor discoloration. Choose an underlay that has a breathable mesh or grid pattern.
  • CAN I RESTORE MY ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORS?Yes, but there are several aspects to consider before restoring an engineered floor. Since the planks have a thin veneer of hardwood, you only have so much product to sand down before hitting the core layer. The sanding process removes 1/32 of an inch, so a 2-mm layer can be sanded once or twice. In contrast, a hardwood floor can resist between seven and 10 refinishes every 10 to 20 years.