Engineered Wood Flooring FAQs | Engineered Flooring Guide | Square Foot

SQUARE FOOT FLOORING SOLUTIONS FAQ

Engineered Wood Floor

Q. What is engineered hardwood flooring?

Engineered wood flooring represents all the traditional aesthetics of solid hardwood with an innovative design. Comprising of several layers, the top layer being a species of real hardwood, engineered hardwood flooring is robust flooring. The core layer of engineered hardwood is made up of pine and spruce woods, which allows the engineered flooring to expand and contract with changing temperature and moisture levels without affecting your floor.

The engineered flooring has been designed to provide greater stability.

Q. What are the benefits of engineered hardwood over laminate and solid hardwood floor?

Engineered hardwood is more versatile and stable than solid hardwood and laminate flooring;

Durability:
• More resistant to moisture and humidity than solid hardwood
• better for below-grade installations - basements, where dampness is common; able to install over radiant heating systems, which tend to dry out solid hardwood causing the boards to shrink, cup and buckle

Installation:
Ideal on a concrete subfloor because it can be installed with direct glue-down or a floating floor, where in solid wood floor needs to be nailed on plywood.

Q. What does greater stability mean?

The stability of wood floor is symbolized with an ability to withstand moisture and heat. The volatility of solid hardwood is usually moisture or heat related. Under adverse conditions, solid hardwood floors can warp, cup, swell or split apart. Engineered hardwood flooring overcomes these problems by constructing a multiple-ply plank which counteracts twisting and remains flat and intact.

Q. What is the thickness of the hardwood veneer?

The hardwood veneer, top layer hardwood, can typically be 2.0mm to 6.0mm or more in thickness.

Q. Can I refinish (sand) an engineered floor?

Yes. Due to excessive wear and tear the top layer of engineered wood floor do gets scratches or dents. With the help of flooring expert, sanding can be done to engineered wood floor. The frequency and feasibility of sanding depends upon the thickness of hardwood layer. The fact is that 95% of hardwood surfaces are never refinished. With the high quality finishes that are offered and the extensive process that refinishing a floor entails, damaged areas are often removed professionally. If sanding is desired, typically, the professional sanding procedure removes less than an mm. Thus if your floor has a 2mm layer you can sand the floor 1-2 times.

Q. Is there a benchmark for comparing the relative hardness of other wood?

The 'Brinell scale' characterizes the indentation hardness of materials through the scale of penetration of an indenter, loaded on a material test-piece. These rating serve as a benchmark for comparing the relative hardness of other wood species.

Q. While preparing a sub floor, what is the maximum variance you should allow?

The preparation of your sub floor is a key factor to the final finishing of your floor. You should have no more than 3-5mm over 10' variance on your sub floor.

Q. What does it mean when hardwood is sold in random lengths?

Wooden flooring comes in plank and each plank has fixed length and width. On external packaging of wooden flooring, length and width of planks is mentioned.

Some hardwood flooring comes in fixed length of planks and some has random length of planks but width remains constant. In case of random length external packing indicates the shortest length and longest length of the plank. This means planks inside the box can fall in between those two lengths.

Generally, fixed lengths flooring comes at higher cost.

Q. How should I install my engineered hardwood?

Installation of Engineered wood flooring must be done by experts. Allow your engineered wood flooring to acclimate in the room where it will be installed for a minimum of 72 hours. Inspect each strip of engineered wood flooring carefully for defects or damage before installing it.

For float installation, use an underlayment with a vapor barrier. Usually for floating, the seams will still need to be glued together using regular wood glue. The interlocking of wood flooring is matched correctly to complete the installation.

Please note that the explanation above is a general guide. Please refer to your installation instruction for details.

Q. How is engineered wooden flooring different from solid hardwood flooring?

Solid hardwood flooring is made entirely of solid wood, while engineered wooden flooring is made up of multiple layers of wood. Engineered wooden flooring is more stable and less prone to warping or cupping than solid hardwood flooring. Additionally, engineered flooring can be installed over concrete subfloors, while solid hardwood flooring cannot.

Q. How do I choose the right engineered flooring for my home?

When choosing engineered flooring, consider factors such as the thickness of the top layer, the type of wood, the level of foot traffic in the space, and your budget. It is also important to choose a reputable manufacturer and installer to ensure that the product is high-quality and installed correctly.

Q. Can I install engineered wood floors in a bathroom or kitchen?

Yes, engineered wood floors can be installed in a bathroom or kitchen. However, it is important to choose engineered wood flooring that is specifically designed for wet areas. Additionally, it is important to properly maintain the flooring to prevent damage from moisture.

Q. How much does engineered wood flooring cost?

The cost of engineered wood flooring can vary widely depending on the quality of the product, the thickness of the top layer, and the type of wood.

Q. What are the benefits of engineered wood planks?

Engineered wood planks offer several benefits, including increased stability and durability compared to solid hardwood flooring. They are also less susceptible to moisture damage, making them suitable for use in areas with high humidity or moisture, such as basements or bathrooms. Additionally, engineered wood planks are available in a wide range of colours, styles, and finishes, making them a versatile choice for any design aesthetic.

Q. What makes Square Foot a top choice for engineered hardwood flooring?

Square Foot is a top choice for engineered hardwood flooring in India due to its high-quality products, wide range of colours and finishes, and excellent customer service. Their flooring products are made using advanced technology and sustainable materials, ensuring a durable and long-lasting product.

Discover our wide range of custom flooring solutions including engineered wood flooring, laminate wood flooring, hardwood flooring, outdoor flooring tiles, wood tiles design, homogeneous vinyl flooring, vinyl wall paper, heterogeneous vinyl flooring, linoleum flooring, sports flooring, carpet flooring and ecofit flooring.

Contact us at 022 4047 6211 or submit an enquiry at sales@squarefoot.co.in to receive personalized recommendations for your specific needs.

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