Engineered Wood Flooring – Frequently Asked Questions

In order to help you in your choice, we have collected answers to the most frequently asked questions. We hope that it will help you.

1. What is the difference between engineered wood flooring and laminate?

The modern version of the hardwood parquet, the engineered wood flooring consists of three layers: the top layer (called wear layer or facing) is made from noble wood, and the other two layers from wood derivatives (sapwood, HDF). It is a durable and high quality floor covering, which has the same appearance as a solid parquet, but which is much easier to install: it can be quickly layed and easily clipped, hence its name of floating parquet.

Unlike engineered wood flooring, laminate flooring is not made of noble wood and is only an imitation. Improprement called "parquet", the laminate floor is composed of resin, a HDF or MDF panel and a decorative layer, which reproduces the appearance of different wood species. More fragile and less authentic, it is all the time cheaper than a real floor and often resists to water and moisture.

2. Can I install my floating floor in my bathroom or kitchen?

Water and moisture damage wood and therefore the engineered flooring as well. It is therefore not suitable for a bathroom installation, even varnish. We advise you to choose a laminate parquet special wet rooms like Quick Step Impressive, which will not be damaged by water.

It isn't forbidden to install a engineered wood flooring in a kitchen, especially if it is open and well ventilated. However, laying a parquet near a washing machine, sink or dishwasher can be a risk in the event of a leak. Consider taking all possible anti-humidity measures. A floating floor deformed by water damage is mostly unrecoverable.

3. What are the advantages of the engineered wood flooring?

Advantages	Precautions
- Great value for money - Cheaper than a hardwood parquet - More stable than a hardwood parquet - More ecological than a hardwood parquet because less wood is needed - Very solid thanks to its 3 layers composition - Real wood, unlike laminate - Can be clicked, loose lay installation - Durable and long lasting (about 50 years - Adapts to every surface	- Damp rooms and water are the enemies of the engineered wood flooring!   - An underlay is mandatory   - Requires more maintenance than a laminate (wax or oil, and varnish)

4. Is it possible to install my engineered parquet without having to glue it?

Of course ! Today, most manufacturers offer engineered wood flooring with a lock or click system: you can quickly assemble your parquet by clicking, alone, without effort, without glue and without drying time! Thanks to this installation system, the parquet is immediately usable after being laid and it is even possible to replace a single blade individually.

5. Who are our engineered wood flooring main manufacturers?

BERRYALLOC
The manufacturer BerryAlloc, a true specialist in wood floorings, offers a wide range of high-performance, innovative and durable floors. BerryAlloc flooring will meet your expectations of authentic flooring and will look good everywhere, including in professional use. Moreover, BerryAlloc puts all its know-how to guarantee its floors for life, in order to offer you the best quality possible.

Tarkett
With more than 130 years of experience, it is natural that Tarkett is one of the market leaders in engineered wood flooring. This unrivaled manufacturer, which never fails to inspire, has a diversified range of floors, from LVT flooring and laminate, and of course engineered wood flooring. With a Tarkett engineered flooring you are sure to have a comfortable, environment friendly and truly aesthetic floor.

6. What are the different surface finishes?

The different types of surface finishes in engineered wood flooring are often unknown to the public. Thus, it is generally difficult to make the right choice. In this article we’ll help you to understand the differences. The three main surface finishes are:

• Oil
• Varnish
• Wax
  

Each finish has advantages and disadvantages. Factors that can influence your choice include: appearance, resistance, style, but also maintenance, which is certainly the most delicate process to perform on flooring. You might be interested in learning and reading more abouut surface finishes, so here is a blog article which describes the advantages of each finish.

ORDER YOUR ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING AT BRICOFLOR NOW

Order samples for a better overview of our products and receive your new flooring directly at home! For more questions, you can call us at 01264 980370 or send us an email at info@bricoflor.co.uk our products.

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