The Incredible Benefits Of Engineered Oak Flooring

By Author: Vikram Kumar
Total Articles: 9566
Comment this article

Solid wood flooring is traditionally made by cutting an oak tree into wide slices. The wood is then seasoned, many times for months or years. Once dried, the wood is often put into a kiln to remove even more moisture. The wood is then sliced again, planed, and cut to create the solid oak floor boards so common in today's homes. Engineered oak flooring is mad ea little differently after it spends some time in the kiln. Instead of cutting the wide oak slices into floor boards about 20mm thick, a much thinner veneer is cut. This may be as thin as 4-6mm. This thin pieces of oak veneer are bonded with high heat and pressure to a plywood board. The finished thickness of this engineered oak flooring is about 20mm.
From an environmental standpoint, this is an exceptional process. More oak flooring is produced from one tree and most of the board is actually made from softwood ply boards. This means that the majority of the engineered oak flooring is from a renewable resource that grows quickly - softwood. However, there are other benefits, as well.
Solid oak flooring changes its shape as the humidity and temperature changes ...
... in the home. It will shrink when the moisture level drops and expand when the moisture level increases. One of the reasons why many people choose engineered oak flooring is because the wood is pressed together in alternating layers. This makes it less susceptible to moisture and temperature changes. It also makes for a stronger plan than a solid oak flooring plank.
Engineered oak flooring is the perfect for rooms where moisture would present a problem for solid oak flooring, such as bathrooms and kitchens. It can also be used in the basement, below grade, where moisture levels can be quite high. With the increase in popularity of radiant heating or underfloor heating, engineered flooring has become a great choice. Since the floor must be able to withstand the changes in temperature with shrinking, the inherent stability of an engineered floor is a definite advantage.
Engineered wood floors may be glued instead of stapled or nailed. This makes installation much easier. Most solid oak flooring should be nailed to the floor, but if you have a concrete subfloor, this can be a problem. Engineered flooring doesn't have the installation issues that are often found with solid wood.
You can find oak flooring online for much less than you can in a traditional, big box home improvement store. For those that are concerned about the environment, then look for companies that work within specific guidelines for redeveloping forests. This means that new trees are planted and maintained, as well as following the correct procedures for cutting and seasoning timber.
In closing, selecting the right type of oak flooring for your home is an important decision. It can significantly increase the overall value of your home, but the beauty and elegance of a wood floor cannot be overlooked, either. Many times, these floors become the focal point of the room. Consider all your options and make sure that you do a bit of research to help you make a sound decision.

Authoor Bio

French Timber Direct offers some of the finest Oak Floors available today. Straight from the forests of France, Germany, and Belgium, they ensure that this important resource is cut and processed to the highest standards. This is evident in every type of flooring they offer, from Engineered Oak Flooring to beautiful oak plank flooring.