The material of choice: Why engineered timber flooring is increasingly specified
Durability & Versatility
Timber has long had a place in the built environment. As manufacturing processes and technologies improve, so does the improvement of theversatility of how it can be applied. Today, engineered timber has become one of the most common types of wood flooring used globally. Due to its versatility, is often used for many other surfaces and applications such as cladding and joinery.
Durability was also dramatically improved, and continues to improve, with the introduction of engineered timber. The layered construction that characterises engineered timber provides the stability in volatile environments that solid timber cannot. The range of new-technology finishes available on engineered timber flooring have been specifically designed and developed with durability in mind.
The introduction of engineered timber into the marketplace further improved the ranges of colour and finishes available for timber flooring. These ranges continue to increase rapidly due to advancements in manufacturing technologies.
Timber incorporated into a design creates a warm and inviting space. No matter the style, be it industrial, rustic, urban, chic, or modern, timber can fit seamlessly into any design theme due to the range of colours and finishes now available.
Good for You
There is an increasing focus on health and well-being within the home and office environment. The connection that timber has been shown to have on positively impacting mental health has is influencing the rising selection of timber being incorporated into design projects around the world.
The latest research from countries as diverse as mainland Europe, Canada and Japan all show that the significant use of wood in interior schemes has a similar stress-reducing effect to nature itself. Results also revealed that the favourable effects cannot be replicated with imitation wood.
It has long been acknowledged that wooden floors offer significant benefits for physical health. Timber floors create a better indoor environment as they do not harbour pollen, pet dander, dust, mould or other allergens.
Good for the Planet
Timber products are among the most sustainable products that can be selected for inclusion in the built environment. Due to the ability of timber to store carbon throughout its life cycle, every cubic metre of wood used as a substitute for other building materials reduces CO2 emissions by, on average, 1.1 tonnes. The manufacturing process of producing timber uses less energy than other building materials. Wood is, on average, four times lighter than concrete – meaning transporting the materials requires less energy.
The construction engineered timber flooring planks makes better use of slow growth hardwood species. The top layer of an engineered board is thinner than that required for solid timber boards. This allows many more planks to be produced from one tree. Producing engineered timber means achieving the maximum potential from each tree, making better use of a finite resource.
With an increasing global focus on naturally produced materials, conservation of resources and conscientious building for the future, welcome back to the age of wood.
