Most durable engineered wood floor?

2 years ago

Ok after an LVT disaster and having completely exhausted the LVT range I have decided on engineered wood. I know not as durable but trying to research the best chance of keeping it nice for as long as possible. Any pointers on wood type / wear layer, wood finish to help with durability. Thanks

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Naturally Allard

2 years ago

Have you considered strand woven bamboo flooring its over twice as hard as oak flooring, incredibly durable hard wearing, and its also eco friendly and easy to clean?

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Comments (10)

hedgehog99
2 years ago
We are just in the process of installing wide plank engineered oak (https://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk/engineered-wood-flooring-galleria-professional-nature-oak-20mm-240mm-brushed-oiled). It's 20mm thick with a 6mm wear layer which means it can be sanded in the future if that's ever needed. My understanding is that the brushed & oiled finish is better than a lacquered finish, because any scratches will be more difficult to resolve in lacquer, wheras you can sand back a small portion and re-oil if necessary. We're loving the look of it so far - it's down in a few rooms already. I've had engineered oak flooring before throughout the whole ground floor of our previous house (with small children, buggies and bikes being brought through as it was a London terrace so no side access!). We never had a problem with it being damaged (I know this is a concern of yours having read your other post about LVT). Personally I much prefer the look of real wood to LVT.
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Pineapple
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you hedgehog. That floor looks beautiful! I am definitely sold on EW now. I think that's why I've struggled to make a choice of the lvt until now

Thanks Allard - I have thought about bamboo but not found one that I've liked but I know bamboo is a great floor option
Su Esse
2 years ago
If you don't mind me asking Pineapple, what was your LVT disaster? Was it specific to LVT or bad luck? Not wood I know, but resin floors look lovely and I believe are very durable.
Pineapple thanked Su Esse
Pineapple
Original Author
2 years ago
Nothing to do with the product itself Sue. I had 60 M2 laid in herringbone. I realise that my head does not cope with this pattern and I am at a point where I struggle to even look with it. I tried desperately to find another straight plank LVT but I think the whole situation has put me off so I think going for something else completely different might be the answer
Su Esse
2 years ago
Oh no! So sorry to hear! I can see how that would be off putting. I really hope you find something you like. Back in the day options were limited, you just went to the local shop and chose something, and somehow it all felt less stressful.... !
Pineapple thanked Su Esse
Pineapple
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks Sue. Yes, I can't believe how much of a tiz I've got myself in. Hopefully it'll be sorted soon. I've definitely learnt a few things about myself through all of this. One thing being my least favourite pattern
PRO
Woodfloors4u
2 years ago
Hi

There are a number of factors to consider when trying to establish how to keep engineered wood floor 'nice' for a long time, not just the thickness. Also depends if the floor has underfloor heating beneath, is glued down or floated and the sub-floor/ if the floor level, alongside common issues such as damp.

But speaking just from a perspective of keeping the floor 'nice', firstly on a brushed and oiled floor we always recommend to customers 2 coats of Treatex Ultra Hardwax Clear Oil after the floor is laid, matt or satin finish 2.5L will give coverage of around 50m2. This will give the floor extra protection against daily use and general scuffs. https://www.woodfloors4u.co.uk/product/treatex-hardwax-oil-clear-2-5l/.

Buying any flooring is a considered purchase and going the extra step along side regular maintenance can make all the difference to the flooring looking 'nice'. Also consider using specifically adapted wood flooring cleaning products such as Treatex Floor care, tradition floor cleaning brands can often damage the floor and in worse case scenarios irreparably. https://www.woodfloors4u.co.uk/product/treatex-floor-care/.

As mentioned in the thread the thickness of the board can help, generally speaking a 6mm top wear layer with 20mm overall board should suggest longevity regarding density and sanding options. However the make up of the back board must be factored in when considering strength of the board for example our engineered products generally use a multi-layered berch ply which is extremely strong. Therefore only considering a 20mm board maybe not be ideal or cost effective as you also have to consider the install process/ method which plays a large part in the floor being kept in situ for a long period of time.

In theory a well maintained floor in a non commercial or high footfall space certainly should not need sanding prior to 10 years and probably even longer.

We have a number of products at different heights and can provide support if you would like to discuss further.
PRO
Squirrel Property Services
last year
Remember that most "oiled" factory floors are now UV cured. Doing repairs in the future isn't simple as other off the shelf oils can't bond to the UV cured oil. In fact, when they say UV cured oil it doesn't mean they have used just an oil. In fact, it can be a hybrid product of oil and lacquer. Any other oil you put on top after installation won't bond and will wear quickly. The flooring can also become slippy. Brushed and oiled means the grain is still open so maintenance needs to be kept up to a fairly good schedule. Lacquer options are still very good. You can have unfinished wood flooring installed and then have lacquer applied. This allows you to pick a high-quality product. Lacquer can be repaired and is far easier when the original lacquer used is known. Lacquer can also be overcoated with the same original product used if needed. A high-quality lacquer in a residential home should last 10 years with no issues if reasonable care is taken.
Juliet Docherty
last year
As the above post says, it depends if you have it finished after it's fitted or if it has a UV factory finish. I've had both and found the UV finish a bit synthetic. My favourite finish is Osmo Raw then one coat of Osmo clear. We take our shoes off and don't have a dog (we borrow one occasionally) so that helps. We did have a clear varnish but hated it so sanded over. Some finishes go quite orange after a time so you need to be aware of that. More research needed perhaps. There are lots of forums on products such as Osmo so worth a read.

Most durable engineered wood floor?

Naturally Allard

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