Engineered Wood Flooring

Benefits of engineered wood flooring

If you want a real wood floor but aren't sure solid wood will suit your home, engineered wood is well worth a look. It solves many of the problems people run into with solid boards, which is why it often comes out on top when customers compare the pros and cons of engineered wood flooring. Here's why we rate it:

It's real wood – The top layer of every board is solid timber, so you get the grain, knots and colour changes you'd expect from a natural floor. Buyers like it too, and a real wood floor can be a selling point if you move.

Less likely to warp – Each board is made from several layers bonded together, so it's less likely to swell, shrink or gap when the heating goes on in winter or the air gets damp in summer. That means you can fit it in rooms where we'd usually steer you away from solid wood.

Works with underfloor heating – Many of our engineered floors can go over underfloor heating. Check the manufacturer's guidance for the floor you've chosen first.

You can sand it back – Wear layers go up to 6mm, so a scratched or tired floor can usually be sanded and refinished several times. The thicker the wear layer, the more times you can do it. Boards range from 10mm to 20mm thick.

Easy to look after – A regular sweep and a damp (not wet) mop is usually enough. For the best products to use and what to avoid, see our guide on how to clean engineered wood floors.

Built to last – Every engineered wood floor we sell comes with a warranty of at least 20 years.

See our herringbone engineered wood flooring for a striking pattern made with genuine timber.

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Frequently asked questions

Engineered wood flooring, sometimes called engineered hardwood flooring, combines a real hardwood surface with a strong, layered core. The hardwood wear layer gives it the natural grain, warmth and feel of solid timber, while the plywood layers underneath run in different directions to improve stability.

This construction helps the boards resist the shrinking and swelling that solid wood can experience as temperature and humidity change throughout the year. Our guide to the pros and cons of engineered wood flooring takes a closer look at how the boards are made and where they work best.

A well-maintained engineered wood floor will typically last between 20 and 40 years. Its potential lifespan depends more on the thickness of the hardwood wear layer than the overall thickness of the board.

A wear layer of around 2.5mm to 3mm may allow the floor to be sanded and refinished once, depending on the product and its condition. Boards with a 4mm to 6mm wear layer can often be refinished two or three times, giving them a lifespan closer to that of solid wood.

Everyday foot traffic is not usually what shortens the life of an engineered floor. Grit brought in from outside can scratch the surface, while standing water may damage the timber and board edges. A good doormat, regular vacuuming and making sure that you clear up any spills swiftly will all help the floor last longer.

When comparing products, look at the wear layer as well as the total board thickness, which is typically between 14mm and 18mm across many of our ranges. Our engineered oak flooring collection shows how these measurements can vary, even within the same wood species.

At Factory Direct Flooring, engineered wood flooring typically costs between £20 and £60 per square metre, with many boards falling within the £30 to £50 range. The thickness of the wear layer has a significant effect on the price, followed by the width of the board and its finish.

Wide boards with a thicker wear layer and a brushed and oiled finish usually sit towards the top of the range. Narrower boards with a lacquered finish tend to be more affordable.

For a 20m² living room, flooring priced between £30 and £50 per square metre would cost approximately £600 to £1,000. Remember to allow for cutting waste, underlay or adhesive, accessories and fitting when calculating the full cost. By manufacturing our own ranges and selling directly, we can keep prices competitive. Our engineered wood flooring cost guide works through the cost of a complete room, including the extras.

Solid and engineered wood can look very similar once fitted because both have a genuine timber surface. The choice is less about appearance and more about how the boards are constructed, where they will be laid and how you want the floor to perform.

Solid wood can be sanded and refinished several times over its lifetime, making it a good long-term choice for suitable rooms. However, it moves more as temperature and humidity change, generally needs longer to acclimatise and is not usually suitable for underfloor heating unless the specific product says otherwise.

Engineered wood offers greater stability. Its layered core makes it suitable for a wider range of subfloors and, where the product is approved, for use with underfloor heating. Depending on the board and the subfloor, it can be floated, glued or fixed in place.

If you are flooring over timber joists and want a traditional floor with plenty of scope for future refinishing, explore our solid wood flooring range. If stability and installation flexibility matter more, engineered wood is likely to be the better fit.

What goes between the subfloor and the boards depends on the installation method. A floating click floor needs an underlay designed for wood flooring, commonly between 2mm and 5mm thick. Over concrete, an underlay with an integral damp-proof membrane can make installation simpler.

Avoid using an underlay that is too thick or soft. Excessive movement beneath the boards can place pressure on the click joints and cause them to fail. Glued or secret-nailed boards don’t normally need underlay, but they do require a properly prepared surface and the correct adhesive or fixings.

Allow the unopened packs to acclimatise in the room for the period stated in the fitting instructions, and leave the recommended expansion gap around walls, pipes and other fixed objects. If you have underfloor heating, it should be commissioned and running correctly before installation begins. Browse our engineered wood underlay range to find a suitable option for a floating floor.

Engineered wood flooring is not waterproof. Its layered core makes it more stable than solid wood when humidity changes, but the surface is still real timber. Standing water can stain the wood, damage the finish and cause the board edges to swell or cup.

For that reason, engineered wood isn’t generally recommended for bathrooms, wet rooms or other spaces regularly exposed to water. A purpose-made option from our waterproof flooring range will be a more practical choice for those rooms.

Engineered wood can work well in many kitchens and utility rooms, provided the particular product is approved for the space. Clean up spills quickly, protect areas around sinks and appliances, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on fitting and sealing.