Where Solid Oak Flooring is exactly what it says, 1 solid oak piece of wood, engineered wood flooring is constructed using several layers of ply wood. these layers, usually between 3 and 12 are bonded and pressed to create an extremely strong bond. The unique way that engineered flooring is constructed is what makes it so strong and durable.
After each plank has been formed, the T&G (tongue and groove) system is made. When purchasing engineered flooring it is worth considering the quality you select, as the budget 3 ply version is very thin, which mean the tongue and groove connecting is quite weak and can break over time regular traffic. It is worth going for a mid range board with must layers, although the cost is more initially it will save you money in the long run as it will let longer.
How is this Flooring Made?
As discussed earlier, the boards are made up of between 3 and 12 layer of ply. The top layer however is what differentiates the styles and textures of engineered wood flooring, this is the real solid wood layer that is available in 100’s of styles and colours.
The solid wood top layer is create in one of 2 ways, slicing or rotary cutting. A sliced top layer is produced by slicing cross sections of the tree and creates a natural look. Rotary cutting is generally preferred when you require a more dramatic look to the finish.
Why is Engineered Wooden Flooring so Popular?
The outstanding feature of engineered wood flooring is its strength, in fact it is much stronger the solid wood flooring due to the several bonded layers of ply in the core board.
The extra stability enables the flooring to withstand climatic changes in the room like in a bathroom or kitchen. Solid wood flooring tends to swell and shrink in warm and damp conditions.
