Engineered wood flooring is also known as parquet, or semi solid.  It comes with the traditional (tongue and groove joint) and a locking system (such as wood loc) which clicks into place.  Often it is made using a surface or facing layer - this is the top layer of the parquet board on which you walk.  It is formed from one or more wood strips fixed to one another to form the decorative or visible finish.  The thickness varies according to product and can be sanded down several times.  The central core is the middle layer of the board.  It integrates the system used to attach the boards to one another (the tongue and grooved or wood loc part).  It is formed from a resistant material that varies with each engineered wood flooring product - either high density chipboard (E1 chipboard) HDF or plywood.  The under layer or under face is the part that provides stability and avoids deformations this is usually softwood or exotic wood.

 

Engineered wood flooring comes in a large range of finishes it can be lacquered, oiled or stained and  the range of wood types is large to - oak, ash, beech, cherry,  iroko merbau, jatoba and maple amongst others.  Almost anything  you  can have in a solid wood product is made in engineered wood too.  It comes in different thickness from 7mm up to 22mm and wear layers from 0.5mm up to 4mm.   

It is possible to lay an engineered  wood flooring  yourself and full instructions are included in any you purchase from iloveflooring.co.uk.  You may find it easier to source a reputable floor fitter and a professional fitter can lay your floor in a surprisingly short space of time.

 

The choice in engineered wood flooring is astonishing, from that country feel of natural oak that looks great in any home to the exotic walnut that evokes a rich, modern feel in your home.  To look after your engineered wood flooring is simplicity itself.  Lacquered floors are largely maintenance free for the first 10-20years.  With an average 4mm wear layer they can be sanded around 2-4 times and followed by your treatment choice.  Most marks can be removed using  a manufacturers cleaner although some more stubborn marks may need, cleaning spirit, white spirit or methylated spirits.  UV oiled floors just needs the usual mopping with a well rung cloth or mop and can be refreshed after extended use with oil refresher.  Natural oiled engineered flooring need a little more attention, try to stop dirt at the entrance points, wipe spills immediately and refresh with oil every so often.  As with all wooden floors make sure you use castors with furniture to prevent denting or scratching.  

 

Try to choose an engineered wood floor that is  using  sustainable forests - for each tree used new trees are planted, and where possible traditional and ecological methods are used., and often the waste chippings are used for energy  in the manufacturing plant or surrounding areas.