Hardwood flooring remains a sought-after material for numerous Australian household's despite it being one of the oldest flooring solutions and this is with good reason. Hardwood flooring does not only have an intrinsic elegance that is hard to achieve with other material,s but its hardwearing nature coupled with its one-of-a-kind grain patterns makes it a unique addition to any residence.

Nonetheless, solid hardwood flooring does require a degree of commitment from you if it is to retain its lustre and value. A more convenient alternative is engineered oak flooring. While the almost similar price tag may make one think it is best to invest in what they consider real hardwood, this article highlights the reasons why engineered oak flooring may prove to be a better investment.

Just as good as solid hardwood without the incessant maintenance

As stated above, sold hardwood is indubitably one of the more superior flooring solutions when it comes to stunning visual appeal. Nonetheless, maintaining its striking appearance will entail painstaking care such as keeping the wood free from moisture, safeguarding it from blunt force, eliminating debris before it causes scuff marks and so much more. Although the top layer of engineered oak flooring does comprise solid hardwood, it is also made up of a top wear layer as well as multiple core layers of plywood.

All these layers are laminated together to create a strong core that is not only resistant to heavy foot traffic but is capable of withstanding external elements that would otherwise cause damage to traditional solid hardwood. Not to mention that the engineered oak flooring is available in a multitude of grades, grains and finishes that make it challenging for even one with a discerning eye to tell that it is not solid hardwood!

Stronger floorboards with a longer life cycle than hardwood

The second advantage of engineered oak flooring has over solid hardwood that may surprise you is that this material is stronger than its counterpart is. Planks of solid hardwood are designed to be thin, as this is the best way to minimise structural changes when exposed to varying temperature and humidity levels. Narrow planks ensure that the solid hardwood acclimatises in place without undergoing severe physical changes that can make the flooring warp and drastically degrade its appearance.

Engineered oak, on the other hand, are available in broad planks since the plywood core does not have to acclimatise to the environment. These broad planks do not just give you a wider array of installation styles, but they also offer improved load-bearing capacity due to even weight distribution. Moreover, the presence of a wear layer means engineered oak flooring can be sanded and refinished to eliminate superficial imperfections, prolonging the lifespan of this material, which is unlike solid hardwood.

Contact a flooring contractor to learn more about engineered oak flooring.