| Engineered flooring is a modern flooring material that | | | | install engineered flooring you can literally move the |
| imitates traditional hardwood floor boards. This looks | | | | furniture back in and be using the room again in a |
| exactly like its traditional counterpart but has many | | | | matter of hours. |
| advantages over the traditional flooring system. | | | | - It is generally easy to lay making it a perfect DIY |
| Engineered flooring is a composite material made up | | | | project and saving you money on installation. |
| from several layers of medium or high density | | | | - Engineered flooring can be nailed, stapled or glued |
| fibreboard or plywood with an upper layer of genuine | | | | down or installed as a floating floor. A floating floor |
| hardwood. The core of this flooring (the fibreboard | | | | only requires that a moisture barrier, usually a foam |
| or plywood layers) are constructed by stacking the | | | | underlay is placed on the existing floor and the |
| individual layers or ply's in the opposite direction of | | | | engineered flooring is laid directly onto it - no sticking |
| each other this provides strength to the flooring but | | | | down is required. This allows the option that the floor |
| also eliminates expansion or contraction. | | | | can easily be removed and taken away if you move |
| It is available in a wide variety of natural timbers such | | | | home etc, and also makes replacement of any |
| as the traditional red and white oaks, maple and ash | | | | damaged boards a relatively easy task. |
| and now exotic hardwoods from all over the world | | | | - It looks exactly the same and offers the same rich |
| are being used. With the wide variety of different | | | | warmth and ambiance to a room as traditional |
| timbers available home owners will be able to find an | | | | hardwood flooring, but is generally considerably |
| engineered flooring product to suit their individual | | | | cheaper than the traditional boards. |
| tastes or to compliment their decorating scheme. | | | | - Some are constructed with a thick upper layer or |
| | | | wear layer that can be sanded and refinished in the |
| The main benefits of engineered flooring include: | | | | future to remove wear and renew the flooring. |
| - The ability to use engineered flooring in areas | | | | - It is available in many different timber species, sizes, |
| where traditional hardwood cannot be used such as | | | | styles and grain patterns. There is an engineered |
| damp areas or places where the floor would be | | | | flooring solution for every taste and decorating need. |
| exposed to radiant heat. When exposed to moisture | | | | This flooring is growing in popularity for many reasons |
| or radiant heat traditional boards warp or cup; the | | | | and is being used in preference to solid wood due to |
| core of the engineered flooring is constructed with | | | | its durability - the fact it will not warp or cup, even |
| the individual ply's laid in opposite directions which | | | | when laid in a basement or other high moisture area |
| ensures the flooring will not enlarge or shrink when | | | | or when exposed to radiant heat. It is easy to lay |
| exposed to changes in humidity. | | | | and when installed looks exactly like traditional |
| - Most are fully finished (coated), this means that you | | | | hardwood floors. |
| do not have to sand and coat before use. When you | | | | |