What are the benefits of engineered hardwood over laminate and solid hardwood floor?
Engineered hardwood is more versatile and stable than solid hardwood and laminate; more resistant to moisture and humidity than solid hardwood. It is also better for basements, where dampness is common; able to be installed over underfloor heating systems, which tend to dry out solid hardwood causing the boards to shrink, cup and buckle. It is also suitable to be laid on concrete floors, either as a direct glue-down or as a floating floor system.

How many layers does engineered flooring have?
In addition to the top hardwood veneer, engineered wood flooring typically has three or more layers. Generally, there is greater stability with more layers. The core layers and back could be made up various wood species. Heartwood boards have either a Birch or Spruce core layer

What does greater stability mean?
The instability of solid hardwood is usually moisture or heat related. Under adverse conditions, solid hardwood floors can warp, cup, swell or split apart. Engineered hardwood flooring overcomes these problems by constructing a multiple-ply plank which counteracts twisting and remains flat and intact. This makes engineered hardwood flooring a better choice for installation on floors with underfloor heating.

What does it mean when engineered hardwood is sold in random lengths?
Lengths will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some will include boards of all one length, generally at a higher cost because of the length consistency  required. Heartwood Flooring boards are supplied with a maximum of 10% short boards allowed with a minimum of 600mm in length.

Difference between European / French Oak and American Oak? 

• • Species and Origin
    European Oak relates to a hardwood native to most of Europe and is, in fact, the same species as English Oak. American Oak is also related to a hardwood predominantly found in Eastern North America. Both species are classed as “white” oaks and have been known to live for several hundred years. We source our European & French Oak from sustainably managed forests in Europe.
  • Colour Tone
    Although both oaks are similar in tone, European & French Oak generally tends to be a little darker than American Oak. European & French Oak is a warm golden, honey colour whereas American Oak is subtly lighter with pinkish tones.
  • Variation in Tone
    As timber is a natural product the tone varies from board to board (this is the beauty of a natural solid oak floor). On the whole European & French Oak has a more even colour tone from board to board than American Oak which can show greater differences between light and dark shades.
  • Grain Pattern
    European & French Oak tends to have a distinctive, wavy grain pattern with scatterings of pip and burr. American Oak tends to have a straighter, subtle grain pattern.
  • Fuming
    This is a chemical process whereby the timber is darkened by applying ammonia, as a gas, in a sealed chamber. European & French Oak fumes very well, giving a lovely rich, dark, almost walnut colour (this is also done with stains).

Does engineering destroy the natural beauty of hardwood floors?
Not at all. The top hardwood layer (a hardwood veneer) is the same genuine hardwood you have in solid hardwood floors.

Is there a benchmark for comparing the relative hardness of other wood?
White Oak is a very popular, durable species. It has a Janka rating of 1360 and serves as a benchmark for comparing the relative hardness of other wood species.

What is the content of formaldehyde in your woods board?
According to the law, companies cannot sell products whose equilibrium concentration of formaldehyde exceeds a value of (0.1 ppm) or (0.124 mg/m³) or (E1 is ≤1.5mg/L), which corresponds to the limit set for class E1. Our supplier uses phenolic glue with a formaldehyde content of  0.35mg/L.