How Long Do Engineered Wood Floors Really Last?

Installing real wood floors in your home is often a costly investment, so it is understandable that you have found yourself wondering: will they last? When it comes to wooden flooring living out its premium price tag, there are several factors to consider. In this article, we will take you through what to expect when you choose engineered wood floors for your home and how you can ensure longevity.

Exactly How Long Engineered Wood Floors Last

As a natural material, wood will naturally age. This goes for hardwood and engineered wood variants. Hardwood flooring is known for its endurance, mostly due to the fact planks can be sanded down and refinished multiple times in their lifetime. But this agelessness does not come for free. Hardwood flooring will have a sizeable impact on your budget, and an even greater one on the environment. But this might be why you are considering engineered wood floors. In this case, you will be pleased to know that with the right care, most engineered wood floors can last between 20 and 30 years. And, like hardwood floors, they can be sanded and refinished several times before they will ever need replacing, making them an incredibly cost-effective investment – as well as a long-lasting one. SEE FOR YOURSELF

Reasons to Choose Engineered Wood Floors

If proven longevity is not enough to convince you, engineered wood floors have a whole host of other unique benefits over other types of flooring. Above all, it is:

1. More Sustainable

Because of their composition, which consists of a top layer (or ‘lamella’) which is set into a solid plywood base. This lamella is cut three times thinner than hardwood planks, meaning the timber yield is much higher, and the multi-ply base makes up the remaining heft – granting additional strength and flexibility. Not only do engineered wood floors waste less wood, but our range is also made from timber that is sourced from managed woodlands. These cultivated areas are fighting back against mode deforestation by growing high-quality saplings, in supported and healthy ecosystems, which are replanted regularly to meet demand. HOW WE SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENT

2. More Versatile

Thanks to their multi-ply flexibility, engineered wood floors can be laid almost anywhere in your home, meaning you never have to compromise. Our engineered wood floors are underfloor heating safe, and can be installed over most mode systems without the risk of damage. The same cannot be said for hardwood floors.

3. More Durable

Engineered wood floors are extremely hard wearing, able to withstand heavy footfall and everyday wear and tear with ease. With an additional finish, the flooring can even resist moisture penetration and noticeable scuffs and stains, making them an ideal choice for families or busy households that need tough floors that last.

How to Ensure Your Engineered Wood Floors Last

Despite being a naturally durable and resilient flooring type, which on its own can last for decades, a little care will go a long way towards preserving your new engineered wood floors and adding years to their life span.

1. Let Them Properly Acclimatise

It is vital for your new engineered flooring, upon arrival, to be left to settle into the natural climate of your home. Finish up any other building works, if you can, to allow the wood to sit for at least a day. This will allow for the grain to naturally expand with the moisture levels and temperature in the space, which prevents warping and cracks after installation.

2. Prep Heavy Fu iture Ahead of Time

Adding soft foam pads to the bottom of heavy fu iture can help to preserve your new floors, reducing the risk of long-standing indentation and scratches if the fu iture needs to be moved. Chair legs are especially in need of this, as they are so often pushed and pulled along the floor, which can show over time if left untreated.

3. Clean Up Dirt and Spills Quickly

It is recommended, as with any real wood floors, to not let dirt or liquid stand for long periods. If left alone, dirt can become embedded in the wood, causing lasting damage and discolouration. Regularly sweeping and vacuuming is the best solution. As for liquids, if not mopped up promptly, it runs the risk of being absorbed into the wood and potentially resulting in deterioration and staining.

4. Monitor High Traffic Areas

Engineered wood flooring is extremely resilient, but it is worth checking on certain areas that are under heavy use, such as hallways and landings, for signs of wear over the years. This is natural, and to be expected of any type of real wood flooring, but more noticeable signs of age can be prevented with the use of rugs. A simple runner or small carpet can ease the pressure on certain areas of your home, whilst elevating your interior and improving comfort when walking without shoes.

5. Slow the Natural Aging Process

There comes a time in any floor’s life when it calls for an uplift. No matter how the floor is finished, oils and lacquers will wear away in time, exposing the bare grain unde eath. Exactly when this happens will depend on personal use, but it is widely recommended that you sand and refinish your engineered wood flooring every four to seven years. This is one of the best ways to preserve the integrity of your floors and keep them looking newer for longer.

Do Finishes Make a Difference?

Put simply, yes – but all finish options are going to have a positive effect on the long-term health of your engineered wood flooring, the only difference is how they go about doing it. The two most common types used are oil and lacquer. The advantage of lacquer is that it provides a surface that resists the usual scratches and scuffs of everyday use, as well as liquid spills. It is worth noting that they will wear down slightly quicker than oil finishes, so will need re-treating more regularly. They also tend to offer more of a high-sheen look, although mode blends can achieve a matte finish. Where lacquer forms a layer on top of your engineered wood floors, oil finishes work by absorption. When applied, the grain will take in the oil, so that it permeates the surface and provides good overall protection. Though not specifically targeted at, say, scratch or spillage resistance, oil finishes provide balanced protection across all areas.

Confidently Choose Real Wood Flooring with V4

We make engineered wood floors that last. Combining exceptional craftsmanship with highly optimised finishes, our designs are timeless in their look and, with the right maintenance, their life span.   FIND OUT MORE   ORDER A FREE SAMPLE