Engineered wood is one of the most hard-wearing flooring materials around. Provided it’s been correctly installed and is properly cared for, engineered wood flooring can last for decades, generally over 30 years. As with solid oak wood flooring, engineered wood flooring can be sanded and refinished over time.
Its robust composition makes it resilient to temperature changes. Furthermore, it won’t discolour easily if exposed to occasional moisture. However, engineered wood flooring isn’t impervious to damage. To ensure your floor lasts as long as possible, you’ll need to watch out for common causes of wear and tear.
At Wood Flooring Ireland, we’ve been producing premium flooring products for more than 15 years. Every product in our range is made from high-quality European Oak, with all materials sourced from sustainable forests.
We also avoid using harmful VOCs during production, meaning our manufacturing processes result in minimal environmental impact. No VOCs also means you can look forward to high levels of indoor quality.
Why is Engineered Wood Flooring So Durable?
Engineered wood flooring has many benefits. However, one of the great advantages of engineered wood flooring is the way it is constructed. Unlike hardwood flooring, which is made up of solid material, engineered wood flooring boasts many individual layers.
These layers are arranged in various directions before being bonded together. This makes engineered wood flooring panels and planks incredibly stable. They won’t warp like solid wood flooring when exposed to moisture or high temperatures. Because of this, they’re suitable for installation in kitchens and conservatories.
Engineered wood flooring can also be sanded and refinished. Provided you’ve invested in planks and panels with a thick enough veneer, you can carry out re-sanding several times. If properly cared for, your wooden floors can last for several decades.
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of engineered wood flooring, let’s explore some common causes of damage that you’ll want to watch out for.
1. Spills and Moisture
This is a major issue for any type of wooden floor, including engineered wood. If a spill is left unattended for long enough, the liquid can penetrate deep into the interior of your flooring. This can lead to warping, which may require sanding to restore. What’s more likely is that you’ll encounter discolouration and unsightly stains.
To prevent this, simply stay on top of spillages as they occur. It’s never a good idea to leave standing water on the surface of an engineered wood floor. If you’re wondering about it how to clean engineered wood floors, the good news is that there’s no great science involved.
Avoid moisture whenever possible. To keep your floors free of dust and debris, clean them with a soft-bristle brush or broom regularly. It’s also a good idea to use a vacuum cleaner to remove unseen dust at least once a week. Just make sure you’re using a cleaning attachment that won’t scuff or dent your flooring. If you do need to tackle more stubborn stains, use a wrung-out mop. Don’t use steam on wood floors. If your floors are still wet several minutes after cleaning them, you’re using too much water.
2. Damage from Footwear
If you live in a no-shoes household, this isn’t something you’re going to have to worry about. However, it’s easy to overlook just how much damage footwear can cause to flooring.
High heels are the biggest offender here. In some cases, a pointed stiletto heel can leave dents on the surface of engineered wood. Over time, this can lead to significant surface damage that may require that you sand and refinish an entire room.
This damage may be particularly noticeable if you’ve installed white wood flooring or picked something with a lighter finish. Be wary of the footwear you’re allowing into your home. Going barefoot isn’t a practical option for everyone, so stick to slippers and comfortable sneakers instead.
3. Pet Paws and Claws
Engineered wood flooring is a good option for those who live in pet-friendly homes. Unlike laminate and hardwood flooring, engineered wood dampens the noise of clicking pet claws and nails. However, your pets can still cause damage to the surface veneer of an engineered wood floor.
To protect your Versailles panels or new herringbone flooring from scratches and scuffs, keep on top of pet grooming. If you regularly take your cat or dog to a groomer, they’re probably trimming nails for you. If your four-legged friend isn’t being professionally groomed, invest in some pet nail care essentials and take charge of the clipping yourself.
Pets can also make keeping your floors clean a challenge. Over-cleaning a floor can lead to discolouration and warping, so take steps to minimise the amount of dirt and grime your pets are bringing in from outdoors. High-quality door mats are a must. If possible, set up a dog cleaning station that can be put to good use after a long walk in the woods.
4. Invest in Floor Protectors
Equipping your furniture with floor protectors is a must if you want to keep your surfaces looking their best. Felt and foam pads can be picked up relatively inexpensively. Add them to chairs, sofa, and table legs to ensure furniture doesn’t scratch or gouge your flooring. Larger pieces of furniture with flat bases can also be kitted out with bigger protector pads.
Over time, these pads will wear out. As such, keep an eye on them to see when they need to be replaced. Even if you’ve added floor protectors to furniture, be wary when moving heavy objects around a room. If you’re looking to reconfigure your room layout, make sure you’re lifting and carrying pieces, rather than dragging them across an exposed floor.
5. Adopt a Regular Cleaning Schedule
Over-cleaning a floor isn’t a good idea if you’re regularly using moisture to lift stains and cut through grime. However, you’ll want to keep on top of dust accumulation. Unless you’re regularly vacuuming your floors, dirt and dust will gain a foothold. This will become particularly noticeable with white or grey wood flooring. However, even parquet styles like chevron flooring can accumulate unsightly surface debris.
When it comes to cleaning, avoid brushing unless you’re using a broom with soft bristles. For best results, use a vacuum cleaner. To target awkward spots and corners, use an upholstery cleaning attachment that won’t scuff the surface of your floors.
Is it Time to Upgrade to an Engineered Wood Floor?
Tired of your current laminate flooring? Perhaps your hardwood planks or parquet flooring have seen better times. If you’re planning on refurbishing your home, engineered wood flooring is the obvious choice.
At Wood Flooring Ireland, we stock an impressive assortment of engineered wood flooring, ranging from contemporary long planks to premium parquet styles. What are the different types of wood flooring available? You can visit our showroom in Cork to see the full range for yourself. Alternatively, drop us a message via the online contact form or give us a call on 021 4629913.