Article: A Buyer's Guide To Engineered Wood Flooring
A Buyer's Guide To Engineered Wood Flooring
Choosing wooden flooring for your home can feel like quite the task, but at Knot & Grain our mission is to simplify the decision process and make shopping for engineered wood flooring a whole lot easier – and more fun too!
Here are our top tips for choosing the right engineered wood flooring for your home.
Plank construction
Our plank depths - 14mm, 15mm and 20mm
Not all engineered wood is manufactured in the same way. Quality varies significantly based on factors such as thickness, the number of layers (piles) and the grade of the wood veneer itself. Multi-ply flooring is generally more durable and stable, while poor-quality veneers may crack or peel over time.
When searching for engineered wood flooring, seek out brands that meet industry standards and ensure their products come with a reputable manufacturer’s warranty. At Knot & Grain, all our floors meet these standards and are made from premium French Oak on top of an engineered Eucalyptus core - so you can rest assured that you’re investing in a floor that will stand the test of time. Additionally, all raw materials in the production of our floors are derived exclusively from sustainable forestry areas.
We offer three thicknesses of plank, 14mm (3mm oak veneer), 15mm (4mm oak veneer) and 20mm (6mm oak veneer) which is our deepest plank. Your choice should be informed by the room function, your subfloor depth and your design preferences.
Our regular 14mm is a great choice for all moderately used rooms within the home, for high-traffic areas such as the hallway, you may wish to opt for 15mm or our extra chunky 20mm for long-term durability.
Location
You may be planning to install engineered wood flooring in one room of your home, or perhaps you’re going all out and covering an entire open-plan area. Whatever you choose, the location of your new flooring plays a key role in selecting the right grade and style, for example, a busy kitchen dining area will require a harder-wearing plank than a quiet home office.
Lifestyle also plays an important part in the decision-making. If your home is a hub of activity, bustling with pets, young children and a love for outdoor activities, your floor may require more regular sanding and re-treating, so a thicker veneer would be a good idea.
The design
Once you have chosen the location of your new flooring, you can start the fun part of designing your plank.
The first step is to choose from herringbone or straight plank, then on to grade - this is where you can look in detail at the aesthetic, choosing a design which complements your home and interior style. We offer four grades: Rustic, Classic, Pristine or Heritage.
The Pristine Herringbone in colour 'Cotswold Stone'
Each grade is characterised by the number of knots, sapwood, grain and colour variation that is naturally present in the wood. A Rustic or Heritage plank is a great choice for a period or country home. Rustic is filled with charming knots and a rich grain. Heritage is planed by hand creating an undulating texture and distressed bevelled edges, emulating a naturally aged wooden floor.
Pristine is our cleanest grade with fewer knots and minimal sapwood, the consistent tones create a uniform look across the floor, perfect for a modern interior. If you sit somewhere in the middle, then Classic is the perfect choice, with medium knots and tonal variation, this plank is a great middle ground.
You can then go on to select thickness (14mm, 15mm, 20mm), colour (choose from 20 shades), texture (light, medium or heavily brushed) and finish (oil or lacquer). Oil beautifully penetrates the wood, enhancing its colour and highlighting the natural grain and texture, whereas lacquer sits on top of the wood, acting as a barrier against dirt and moisture.
Ongoing care
Once you have beautiful, engineered wood flooring, you’ll want to keep it in tip-top condition. Vacuum and sweep your flooring regularly with a soft brush, this will remove the buildup of any dirt, dust or debris from the surface. For a deeper clean, use a slightly damp mop, but make sure to wring out excess water as too much moisture can damage the wood – specialised cleaners as also available on our website, formulated to clean your floor without leaving it too wet.
If you need any advice about choosing the right engineered wood flooring, don't hesitate to contact our team on 01905 935246, hello@knotandgrain.com.
