10 tips for finding the best engineered wood flooring

Your home can be improved dramatically by installing quality flooring. There is no doubt that wooden floors can increase the value of your home and add cosiness to it. Engineered wood flooring stands out among the wide variety of flooring options available: in addition to being cost-effective, it's also durable, sustainable, and looks great. Choosing the best engineered wood flooring can be a daunting task. Using these tips will help you get started.

1. Make sure wood flooring can withstand temperature changes 

Beauty on the outside is important, but what matters most is what is on the inside. Engineered wood floors are made of natural wood materials, but they are engineered to make them last longer, withstand temperature changes, and look natural. The flooring inside your home reacts to temperature and humidity changes as if it were alive.  As the weather gets colder and wetter, we heat our homes to keep them comfortable, but the heat reduces humidity. Ecohardwood advanced 3-layer floorboard structure guarantees minimized wood shrinkage and swelling, maximum all-dimensional stability in natural room environment changes. 

Ecohardwood engineered oak flooring Double Oak 3-layer Construction

Also, due to dramatic temperature fluctuations, not all types of wooden flooring can be laid over underfloor heating. In underfloor heating applications, engineered oak flooring should be selected based on two factors: construction stability, which reduces swelling and shrinking caused by changes in room temperature, and thermal conductivity (describes how well it conducts heat). Oak wood has the best thermal conductivity compared with other kinds of wood.

Ecohardwood company engineered oak flooring is ideal for underfloor heating:

• Our Symmetrical 2 x Oak construction is engineered to achieve maximum all-dimensional stability
• 3-layer flooring construction has 48.28% oak, which leads to +15% heating effectiveness.

2. Look for European Oak wood flooring

Engineered hardwood floors made of oak are extremely popular for a reason. The product is both beautiful and robust, as well as affordable. Oak engineered wood floors can come in many species, so choosing the right one is important. The flooring industry considers European oak to be durable and heavy. Therefore, combined with a strong, engineered core, it won't expand or contract nearly as much as American oak. These qualities make European oak an excellent flooring choice, especially in areas with more moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. In addition to being eco-friendly, Ecohardwood oak flooring is also 100% European. Read more >>

3. Calculate the budget

Quality flooring is an investment that will last for a lifetime. Poor-quality flooring will cost more to repair or replace over time, so don't only look at the price. Making sure you choose a reliable supplier is one of the best ways to buy flooring on a budget. Take advantage of free samples of your new flooring to avoid wasting money. The close-up view gives you a better sense of the floor's quality and design. Before deciding, ask for a complete quote that includes installation costs.

4. Select the right size wood planks

 Make sure you check the size of the planks when selecting engineered wood and decide if you want to go with wide or narrow floorboards. Floor plank width is quite important when it comes to flooring. Ecohardwood offers planks in 120mm, 145mm, 185mm, 220mm and 235mm widths. You can read more about the variety of planks here >>

5. Think of wood flooring patterns

 Wood floor patterns have been created for thousands of years. Its superior stability made the herringbone pattern popular among ancient Romans, and the chevron pattern was popular among European royalty in the Palace of Versailles. Choosing the right hardwood pattern can make a dramatic visual impact on your room. Each flooring pattern has benefits and appeals, and any options are available today.

Ecohardwood herringbone parquet oak flooring. Project: Villa Aura, Spain. Colour: Naturale. Size: 140mm x 700mm. Grade: Character

The herringbone flooring pattern is one of the most popular choices at Ecohardwood. Find out more about herringbone oak flooring here >>

6. Decide on a wooden floor colour

Wood flooring in dark colours is often seen as a stunning flooring option suited to larger spaces. Ecohardwood offers an impressive range of dark wood floor options, including Deep Black, Cognac, Ebony, and Tobacco. Light, bright, positive, and calm colours are becoming increasingly popular, with whitewashed, beachy styles on the rise. The decorating possibilities are endless with white oak flooring. Ecohardwood offers engineered wood flooring in colours such as Nordic White, Extra White, Silk, and Ivory, or light greys like Ocean Breeze. Read more >>

Ecohardwood engineered oak flooring. Colour: Walnut/3481. Interior: Doviles Interjetas. Photo: Benas Sileika.

7. Choose the right wood floor finish

To preserve the natural beauty and colour of wooden floors, they must be sealed to prevent damage. Hardwood floors are protected by oil, varnish, or lacquer. We strongly recommend choosing natural nontoxic oils for the engineered oak flooring finish. The oil protects the wood, allows it to breathe, and controls moisture. The look of oil-finished floors is very natural. After the oil is applied to a wood surface, it is absorbed into the top layer, whereas lacquer forms a layer on top of the surface that forms a glossy finish. In addition, oil-finished floors are easier to clean and maintain. All engineered oak flooring manufactured by our company is finished with eco-friendly hardwearing SAICOS hard wax oil.   Read more >>

8. Maintenance and warranty for wood flooring

There will be stains, scratches, kids, and dogs on your wooden flooring. Take into account wear and tear in the future. By sanding the top layer of the flooring, you can restore wear and tear over the years - the top layer of the flooring should be at least 3mm thick if you plan on sanding at least once. There are many cheap engineered flooring products available online in the UK, but most of them come with a 1-2mm top layer, which will limit their lifespan. Ensure that your new flooring is covered by a warranty. The top layer of Ecohardwood oak flooring is at least 3mm thick, and when properly maintained, it can last for a long time. Ecohardwood's maintenance and warranty policy can be found here >>

9. Consider professional wood flooring installation

DIY home renovation projects can be fun, but we strongly recommend hiring a professional for areas such as flooring. For your wooden floors to last longer, accuracy, precision, and craftsmanship are crucial. Ecohardwood offers professional installation services: our experienced and reliable specialists will take custom measurements and install the flooring of your dreams.  You can contact our installation team here >>.

10. Don't forget sustainability

No other planet exists. Choosing sustainable products that will last a lifetime is one way to preserve nature for future generations. Our wood flooring is a natural product known for its durability and longevity. We are FSC certified and proud to purchase our raw materials from European forests that meet the highest standards of responsible forest management. Read more about what makes Ecohardwood an eco-conscious brand >>

Start your wood flooring project today

Get free samples, a cost estimate, and more information about oak flooring from our team: Contact us >>