Oaktree Carpets
What is Engineered
Hardwood Flooring?
The wide world of flooring, including hardwood flooring, is exciting, varied and interesting. Several types of flooring exist within just the hardwood flooring category, such as engineered wood and solid wood. Understanding the different types can help inform your purchasing decisions and identify the different types with proper inspection. Below, we look at engineered hardwood and how it is made.
How is Engineered Hardwood Flooring Made?
There are three general categories for engineered hardwood flooring, which we will distinguish in a moment. Before that, however, we must identify the difference between engineered and typical hardwood.
As you might expect, engineered hardwood involves using multiple types of wood or wood products to create flooring planks. Conversely, solid hardwood is just planks of wood sawn and cut from a tree’s trunk. Now, let’s look at the three types of engineered products available.
All-Timber
All-timber floors use multiple layers of wood that are bound together with a strong adhesive to function like typical hardwood flooring.
Veneer
Veneer flooring uses a thin layer of wood over a core made with a composite wood product, like medium-density fibreboard.
Acrylic-Impregnated
Acrylic-impregnated wood flooring uses impregnated wood that is hardened and made durable for use as a flooring material.
How Does It Measure Up Against Hardwood?
Ultimately, both engineered and natural hardwood flooring have benefits and disadvantages in equal measure. The lower cost, greater durability and availability of engineered materials makes them a popular choice, especially in Europe. However, there is no replacing the quality, look and feel of real hardwood flooring, and lovers of the material may swear by the product.
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