What is engineered wood flooring?

Are there different types of engineered wood flooring?

Engineered wood flooring is available in several different constructions, including multi-layer plywood backing, three-layer construction with a softwood core and balancing veneer, and two-layer construction with individual staves. Engineered boards are also available in a wide range of lengths, widths, shades and finishes, providing hundreds of patterns and constructions to suit different design requirements.

Can engineered wood flooring be used over underfloor heating?

Engineered wood flooring can also be suitable for installation over underfloor heating, which is not the case for solid wood.

What's the difference between engineered timber flooring, laminate and veneer flooring?

Engineered wood flooring should not be confused with laminate or veneer flooring. Laminate uses an image of wood on its surface, while veneer uses a very thin layer of real wood over a core, usually made from a composite wood product such as fibreboard.

Is engineered wood flooring cheaper than solid wood flooring?

Engineered wood flooring is not necessarily cheaper than solid wood flooring. Prices vary depending on the timber species, board dimensions, pattern, construction, surface finish and thickness of the wear layer. Premium engineered wood flooring can be comparable in price to solid wood flooring, particularly when specialist finishes and high-quality materials are used. However, with such a wide variety of constructions, finishes and specifications available, engineered wood flooring offers options across a broad range of price points, making it possible to find a real wood floor to suit different project requirements and budgets.

How long does engineered wood flooring last?

High-quality engineered wood flooring can provide decades of use when correctly installed and maintained. Its lifespan depends on several factors, including the thickness of the hardwood wear layer, the quality of its construction, the surface finish and the level of foot traffic it receives. Regular maintenance and appropriate cleaning helps preserve a wood floor's appearance, while products with thicker wear layers may also be suitable for sanding and refinishing to extend their lifespan.

Can engineered wood flooring be sanded and refinished?

Many engineered wood floors can be sanded and refinished, depending on the thickness of their wood top layer, known as the lamella. Engineered boards typically feature a hardwood wear layer between 2mm and 6mm thick. A thicker lamella generally allows for more opportunities to sand and refinish the surface, helping to remove signs of wear and extend the lifespan of the floor. However, the number of times an engineered floor can be refinished will depend on its individual construction, condition and the manufacturer's recommendations.

Is engineered wood flooring available in wide and long planks?

Engineered wood flooring is available in a wide variety of plank widths and lengths, including larger formats that can be more challenging to achieve with solid timber. The layered construction provides greater dimensional stability, making it possible to create wider and longer boards while reducing the risk of excessive movement. These larger format planks reduce the number of header joints and are particularly popular in contemporary interiors, where longer or wider planks can help create a sense of space. 

What is pre-finished engineered wood flooring?

Pre-finished engineered wood flooring has its protective surface treatment applied during manufacturing, rather than after installation. These treatments can include oils, lacquers and other specialist finishes, offering a wide range of colours, textures and appearances. One of the main advantages of pre-finished engineered wood flooring is that the final appearance can be assessed before installation. It also reduces the need for on-site finishing, helping to simplify the installation process and reduce disruption.

Is engineered wood flooring more sustainable than solid wood?

Engineered wood flooring can make more efficient use of hardwood resources than solid wood flooring because only the surface layer needs to be made from wood. The supporting layers can be manufactured using faster-growing softwoods or plywood, reducing the amount of slow-growing hardwood required to produce each board. However, the overall environmental impact of engineered wood flooring depends on factors including timber sourcing, manufacturing processes, product longevity and responsible forest management. 

At Havwoods, we have a long-term commitment to sustainability. We do our utmost to ensure that our timber is ethically and sustainably sourced, conducting regular supplier audits to ensure ongoing environmental compliance. We only work with reputable timber companies and have stringent onboarding processes for all suppliers, embedding robust environmental criteria from the outset. We rigorously prioritise and ensure our products and supply chain are supported by the industry’s most respected environmental certifications including the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). For more information, read our latest Net Zero Report.