Engineered Wood Floors

Installation process of engineered hardwood flooring

Engineered flooring adds value and beauty to any home. It is made from layers of real wood pressed together. Engineered hardwood floors are better, they are able to handle changes in moisture and humidity than solid hardwood.

Engineered wood floors have totally revolutionized the world of real wood flooring. They look the same as solid wood floors, but they are more stable due to their construction. They consist of cross ply layers glued one on top of each other, with a top layer of real wood.  They are also more durable and friendlier to your budget!

Potential Benefits & Maintenance:

• They are Cheaper to install than solid timber – quick professional installations.

• Thick timber wear layer can be re-sanded and re-coated for complete surface renewal.

• No sanding or coating is needed during installation.

• Uniqueness of a genuine timber surface.

While all wood floors expand and contract due to changes in temperature and humidity, due to its unique construction, engineered hardwood is more stable than solid wood floors. Engineered hardwood  layers are positioned in opposite directions. This makes them more stable and reassures that the wood will less likely warp and bow in moist or humid conditions. This is especially important in rooms where moisture might be an issue, like a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room.

Engineered timber or hardwood flooring is a beautiful, durable flooring product that offers a few different installation options. Some application  are designed for glue-down technique and is often used when installing flooring over a concrete slab. Other techniques such as the nail-down installation, are well-suited for securing to a wood subfloor with nails or staples. But for those who want to do it themselves, the floating-floor installation is the most popular method, which uses no glue or nails. With this installation method, the engineered wood planks are joined together with interlocking joints, creating a single, continuous layer that "floats" over the subfloor.

If you’ve decided to install engineered hardwoods, there are four possible installation methods depending on the subfloor: glue, nail, staple and float.

Whichever method you choose, you’ll need to prep the subfloor by cleaning and leveling. Make sure to Read and defer to the manufacturer’s instructions to insure a properly installed floor.

Before You Begin:

• Allow at least two days to complete this project.
• You can’t walk on new flooring for 24 hours, so plan your work accordingly.  You may have to leave a walking strip bare and complete the flooring the following day.
• Check all boards for warping and defects.
• Wear safety glasses and latex gloves.
• Purchase a trowel with teeth for applying glue if you’re using the glue-down method.
• Mix planks from different containers to avoid patches of color.  Stains and finishes can vary from batch to batch and mixing pieces from different boxes creates a more unified look.

Engineered wood flooring can also sometimes be installed directly over concrete and even in below-grade applications. This is something that is not possible with solid wood floors. However, before installation over a concrete floor, it is very important to do a vapor transmission test to determine whether the level of concrete slab vapor emissions (hydrostatic pressure) is acceptable.

Excessive moisture in a concrete slab can easily destroy an engineered wood floor causing the plies to separate. Moisture emissions through the slab must not exceed 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet in 24 hours. You can test a slab on your own by using a calcium chloride vapor transmission test kit sold by flooring suppliers.

Engineered flooring in Sydney continues to grow in popularity, and it is by far the preferred flooring type for homes. Hardwood makes a house a home, and you can refinish hardwood every few years to change the color and style. Floors are the foundation of your home and set the tone for your color palette and decorating style.  You want to get this right as good floors will last a lifetime. Paint colors as well as styles, may come and go, but good hardwood floors will be there for over a century. Not all colors suit all homes, and you also need to consider your overall decor theme so choose something that you love and will love for a long time. To help you with your indecisiveness or doubtfulness about choosing something that is modern, unique and everlasting we have listed the array of colors that have been favored throughout the years. It is certain that these colors will blend well with everyone’s color palette, suited for each home.

These are some of the most popular types of hardwood flooring and colors we offer:

• Delft - Featuring smoky brown hues mixed with hints of warm red tones, the Delft range exudes luxury.
• Blanc - Blanc combines soft cream hues with light silver-grey undertones to create a space that is light and airy.
• Bizet - The aged oak-colored grain of the Bizet range features deep rich brown colors that can enrich any space and add a sense of moodiness.
• Gris - With a mix of deep charcoal and rich brown tones, the Gris range evokes a rustic charm.
• Bianche - One of the most natural looking oak color, Bianche features rich caramel hues, providing a feeling of pure comfort.
• Auber - The warm antique grey and cream tones of the Auber range run through the grain, highlighting the unique texture of oak.
• Elmo - A mix of rich honey tones make up the Elmo range that create a warm and comforting environment.