Does Engineered Wood Flooring Scratch Easily?
Like solid hardwood, engineered wood flooring is a fantastic choice for any home or commercial property. It naturally lends itself to an array of design schemes and any kind of room. However, many people are concerned that the engineered variety scratches easily.
In this post, we’ll dispel that myth with an explanation of how engineered wood flooring works and expert advice when it comes to scratch-resistance.
What exactly is engineered wood flooring?
The difference between engineered and solid hardwood flooring is one of structure. Solid hardwood flooring comprises a single piece of wood, cut to around ¾ inches in thickness. On the other hand, engineered wood flooring has a thick base of plywood, topped with around ¼ inch thick hardwood.
The two types of flooring are equally stunning in their appearance and both highly durable. Because of its thinner hardwood element, engineered wood flooring is restricted to being sanded down once or twice, compared to time and again with solid hardwood flooring. However, it will still stand the test of time and usually last upwards of three decades.
Scratch-resistant finishes
Given that the actual surface of engineered wood flooring is the same as that of solid hardwood flooring, the two are both equally resistant to scratching. Instead, the main factor in their scratch-resistance is how they’re treated.
Both solid and engineered wood flooring have a choice of finishes which add to their appearance, but more importantly protect them from scratching. The two best options are oil and lacquer. Applied directly to the surface, oil soaks into the wood to strengthen it and maintains its natural appearance.
Alternatively, lacquer is a thicker finish which offers more protection but also adds more sheen to the wood, looking slightly less natural. While the lacquer itself may become scratched, it offers maximum protection for the wood beneath it. The finish can simply be reapplied to get rid of any scratches.
Wood floor polish
Another factor when it comes to scratching is care. Much like you would have your carpets deep cleaned every year or so, it’s good practice to have engineered wood flooring retreated. Wood floor polishers use maintenance oils to refresh the finish of the oil or lacquer on an engineered wood floor.
That essentially renews the protection and keeps your floors as scratch resistant as possible. As a rule of thumb, we recommend using wood floor polish every 18 months. However, this does depend on the usage of the floor, with high-traffic areas requiring a polish more frequently.
Got any questions?
If you want any more information about engineered wood flooring, the team at Greyspace Flooring are on hand to help. As wood flooring specialists, we know the different varieties, care methods and high-quality products like the back of our hand.
Why not pop into our Sheffield showroom or give us a call on 0114 258 1256?
