Chances are that if you have ever looked at a hardwood floor, you likely decided whether you liked it or not by its appearance. In fact, there’s much more to a hardwood floor than how it looks on its surface.
The character in any wood flooring can be found in its knotholes, streaks and veins. Even if they are cut from the same tree, each board can have its own unique characteristics. All of these details can make it very difficult to choose the right kind of wood flooring in Bedford.
Real wood flooring has many benefits. However, the natural knots that exist in real hardwood floors can be difficult to protect with seals and finishes. This is where engineered flooring enters the picture.
The Beauty of Engineered Flooring
Just as with real hardwood, engineered flooring is available in various grades. These are natural, select, prime and rustic.
The type of engineered flooring you choose will depend on where in your home you wish to install it. Not only is engineered wood flooring easier to install than its traditional counterpart, but it is far less likely to shrink or expand with temperature and moisture fluctuations, which is why it’s often chosen for high traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Finished basements are also good locations for engineered flooring to be installed. Engineered wood flooring is also competitively priced.
Another benefit of engineered wood flooring is that depending on the type and application chosen, it can be installed without the need for glue. This can drastically reduce installation time.
Engineered Wood Flooring Construction
This type of flooring is made from layers of wood which have been glued together. These layers can be as few as three or as many as ten. This layering is what provides engineered wood with its unparalleled stability. Atop these layers is an attractive wood veneer.
Choosing the Right Colour
Today’s choices for engineered wood flooring are many, making it difficult to choose the best colour. Some flooring has been stained while others contain only a simple finish. You can find flooring in any colour from natural wood to white and even black.
Ultimately, the look you wish to create will determine the colour of engineered wood flooring you choose. For example, if there is a dark room in your home that you want to brighten, a light coloured floor may do the trick. A light floor may also do well where the goal is to inject some charm into a modern room.
Finding a Finish
Just as with colours, there are many options available for finishing when choosing a floor. Those who have chosen natural wood and want a natural, matte finish can opt for a brushed and oiled finish, which will protect the wood while keeping it in its natural state.
Engineered wood flooring is usually finished in a hard lacquer. This provides an attractive gloss but also offers added durability that can handle just about anything, from traffic to spills. Other finishing options available for engineered wood flooring include distressed, hand-scraped, wire brushed and smooth lacquer.
One finish that’s relatively new for engineered flooring is titanium finish. This particular finish is made from titanium oxide, and is an ingredient in the polyurethane coating which usually covers the wood’s top layer. The titanium option itself has several sub-options, including UV protection. However, titanium finish can be quite a bit more expensive than other, more commonly available finishes.
The best flooring option for your home will be the one that can withstand what you throw at it, and yet not break your budget.