Wooden floors are a popular choice for homeowners looking for a little more style and convenience. Engineered wood floors have a lot of benefits for modern homes over solid wood options. For a start, you can get a lot of quality flooring at a lower cost. There is also a range of different styles out there and configurations for impressive designs. So, if you have a large living area in need of a makeover, the engineered wood option may be the better choice. The question is, which specific product should you get. Consider the following factors to narrow down your options and find the best fit.
What Design Suits Your Style?
When we talk about the design of these engineered wooden floors, we mean the way the individual pieces are configured to create an appealing pattern. Many contemporary homes will stick with the basic wood plank effect. This makes sense if you want the natural feel of a wooden floor but don’t want it to draw the eye too much or look too old-fashioned. The floorboard pattern might not be that interesting, but it works. You can also soften the look further with some of the tones and effects mentioned below.
The alternative is to go for something more decorative. One of the most popular solutions here is the herringbone effect. You may also see this referred to as a parquet floor. These floors were very popular in older properties with real hardwood floors, and this engineered approach is the perfect way to emulate that look in a cheaper product. It takes time to perfect the design and get it all in place, but it’s worth it. There is also the Chevron effect. This is similar to the parquet floor, just without the overlapping pieces. You get a much cleaner zig-zag look that can accentuate the grain and tones on the top layer of the panels.
What Tone Matches Your Decor?
There are various tones you can go for when working with an exceptional engineered wood floor. Generally, you’re looking at something in a light, medium, or dark tone. This tends to relate to the type of wood used on the top layer of the panel. Engineered flooring consists of a thin layer of high-quality, natural wood on top of a cheaper plywood structure. This is what allows for the same great visual appeal at a much lower cost. Some will be much lighter, such as pines and softwoods, and others will be darker, like oak and mahogany. In some cases, companies will also stain the wood to enhance the effect.
Alternatively, you might find flooring options with an unnatural tone, such as white or grey. This could save you a lot of time and effort if you like the idea of a painted floor but don’t want to do it yourself. White wooden floors can elevate a room in the right situation, although they will also show dirt and scratches. Grey tones can be more user-friendly and stylish. If you aren’t sure about any of these tones and stains by looking at a photo online, you might be able to request a free sample. That way, you can see the wood in natural light and within the room before committing to a full renovation.
What Finish Do You Prefer?
There are also several different finishes to these engineered panels, which can elevate them above some hardwood floor options. If you’re already committed to a non-natural solution for your home, you may as well take that further with some clever finishing touches. While some do prefer the unfinished look to mimic natural wood, others prefer to go a different route.
One direction you can take is to have a smooth, lacquered or oiled wooden floor. This can offer a more high-end finish and shine that suggests a more expensive product. The best oiled engineered wood floor panels may also fool visitors into thinking you have a real hardwood floor that’s been expertly treated. The other direction is to go for a more distressed look. This means that the wood looks rougher and worn, as though it has been in the home for decades. This could be just what you need in a period property or if you’re going for that rustic or Scandi vibe with your flooring. Some companies offer brushed-engineered wood to create this feel and offer a more interesting texture.
Finding The Perfect Engineered Wood Flooring Online
Some fantastic companies can supply an exceptional engineered wood floor based on your needs with no hassle at all. Look out for suppliers with a lot of positive reviews online and a wide selection of options. They should be open to providing as many of the features mentioned here as possible and maybe even some more we haven’t discussed. At the same time, it should be really easy for consumers to find exactly what they have in mind. The best websites will have online stores with helpful filters and customer service solutions. Those filters should let you narrow down available options by design, tone, finish, and more. The results should also be easy to read, with a clear indication of the size of the pieces and the cost. This will help you compare your options when choosing between different forms. Ideally, these engineered wood floor sales pages will also have accurate images of the wood in its finished form.
The Options Are Diverse And Beautiful
While it’s easy to dismiss these engineered wood floors as the cheaper alternative to solid wood, it should not simply be glanced over. The best providers of quality engineered wood floor panels will go out of their way to create beautiful pieces with the right tones and finishes to rival any solid wood to suit your home. You can mix and match the features highlighted here to fine-tune the design and get exactly what you had in mind. So, don’t be prepared to think outside the box with wooden floors because the design you have in mind may be on offer.
