We’re moving house very soon, and this has reminded me of previous house moves and my attempts at making cheap and cheerful flooring look like a premium floor covering. I haven’t been able to achieve this look and to be honest I’m not sure that many people can. I believe that when it comes to flooring you need to choose something that is designed to offer a quality feel, finish and that will last. That is why this time I am choosing engineered wood flooring.
We’ve all done it, or at least considered it. We’ve looked at wooden effect lino, cheap and cheerful laminate and other perfectly fine flooring alternatives but if I’m being honest, they really haven’t done the job. We love period properties and are moving into our newest house to date soon, a 1930’s bungalow which has been sympathetically renovated and kept the original charm the original architect clearly worked hard to include. To put anything other than engineered wood flooring down would, quite frankly, be a crime!
Having the engineered wood flooring ticks all of our boxes, from affordability to a long-lasting, hard-wearing finish that looks and feels great.
What is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered wood flooring is very cleverly put together layers of plywood which are expertly finished with a layer of high-quality real wood. Less wood, therefore, is used than the traditional wooden flooring, making it both cheaper than solid wood flooring and better for the environment. Basically, if you are looking for a solid wood floor but don’t want the associated costs, engineered wooden flooring could be just what you’ve been looking for.
Can You Use Engineered Wood Flooring Anywhere?
Thanks to engineered wood flooring being a little hardier it can be used for the majority of rooms although is not suitable for high moisture rooms such as bathrooms. This is because the top wooden layer could be damaged by the water leading to expanding and swelling. To preserve a long-lasting finish we wouldn’t use that type of flooring in our shower room for example. For your lounge, dining rooms, offices, entrances, hallways and more this type of expertly engineered wooden flooring is the perfect solution.
Installing Engineered Wood Flooring
When it comes to flooring that has the word “installed” attached I’ve always chickened out. I’m much more of a slap it down and hope for the best kinda girl. This might account for some of the dodgy finishes in the past! With engineered wood flooring it is apparently very easy to do it yourself, which means not having to employ someone to fit it. There’s a really good guide on how to fit engineered wooden flooring here.
In Summary
We can’t wait to move and put our stamp on the new property. Despite my lack of decorating skills and previous cowardice when it comes to painting and flooring, this time I’m determined to put the extra effort in, in order to enjoy a finish that really feels like home. Watch this space!
