Engineered wood, also known as man-made wood, manufactured wood or composite wood, is a wood-alike that is created in the factory by binding wood fibres, strands, particles, sawdust, scraps of lumber and byproducts, or veneers or thin wood boards together with adhesives under high pressure and temperature to form a really strong bond.
Widely available, prices start from a modest $2 per square foot (or £15 per square meter) rising to well over $13 per square foot (£100 per square meter), according to factors such as production techniques, formats, graphic repetition of design and finishes.
, inexpensive installation, durable, low maintenance Resistant to: Water damage Weather damage Warping Fungus Pests Mold and mildew. Doesn’t peel or chip easily. Can withstand temperature fluctuationsAvailable in a wide range of colors, textures, and finishesA cheaper alternative to real wood. Easy to cut and install. Made from recyclable materials, and more items.
The way that engineered wood is constructed, with the use of resins to bind the different wood layers together, these resins contain chemicals such as formaldehyde and isocyanates that are keen to off gassing when introduced into an indoor environment. What is Formaldehyde?
What is the difference between hardwood and engineered wood?
• The major difference between the hardwood and engineered wood flooring is that the hardwood flooring consists of a single layer of hardwood cut and placed for acting as a floor. This layer of wood is 100 percent hardwood.
The exception to hardwood and engineered wood’s interchangeability comes down to water damage. Engineered wood flooring is a better choice in high-moisture environments than solid hardwood, making it a better option for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. But, for whole-house installations, both flooring options offer a wide range of style choices.
Solid hardwood flooring is solid wood, all the way through. Engineered wood flooring is made up of high quality plywood that lies beneath a layer of solid wood on the surface. That is why it is difficult to tell the difference between the two. On the surface, there is little to no visual indication that one is solid and one is engineered.
Can engineered wood be sanded?
In most cases yes. It all depends on the thickness of the wear layer. It cant be thinner than 3mm. Even at 3mm, if the floor is lumpy, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate.
There are some engineered hardwood floors that cannot be refinished because the layer of veneer is too thin. However, with most engineered hardwood floors, you should be able to refinish them 1-3x max. However, if your engineered floors are also hand scraped, like ours are, that adds in another layer of complication.