18 May 2024

Choosing an Engineered Wood Flooring: A Guide to Grades and Benefits

When it comes to upgrading your home, nothing quite transforms a room like the right flooring. Engineered wood flooring is a popular choice for its durability and variety, making it ideal for everything from cozy bedrooms to bustling living rooms. Let’s dive into the different grades of engineered wood flooring, so you can choose the perfect style for your home’s unique flair.

What is Engineered Wood Flooring?

 

Engineered wood flooring is a fantastic hybrid of beauty and resilience. It consists of a top layer of solid hardwood adhered to underlying layers of plywood or compressed wood. This structure allows it to resist humidity and temperature shifts better than solid hardwood, making it suitable for almost any room in your house.

 

The Various Grades of Engineered Wood Flooring

 

Each grade of engineered wood flooring offers a different aesthetic, and choosing the right one can dramatically influence the ambiance of a room:

 

1. Prime Grade: Known for its refined appearance, prime grade flooring features minimal knots and very subtle, uniform grain patterns. It’s perfect for creating a sleek, contemporary look in your space.

 

2. Select Grade: This grade provides a balance of natural beauty and uniformity, with only small knots and minimal color variation. It’s ideal for spaces where you want a touch of nature without too much rustic influence.

 

3. Natural Grade: Embrace a bit more of the wood’s organic character with natural grade flooring, which shows more variation in grain and color, as well as larger knots. It adds character and warmth, perfect for a casual or country style home.

 

4. Rustic Grade: For those who love a bold, earthy look, rustic grade flooring highlights prominent knots, streaks, and a wide color variety. It’s the go-to for a rugged, natural feel that’s as inviting as it is striking.

 

Choosing the Right Grade for Your Home

 

The grade you choose affects not only the look of your floors but also the atmosphere of your entire home:

Prime Grade: Best for those who prefer a minimalist or modern decor, providing a clean, uniform look.

Select Grade: Versatile enough for both traditional and contemporary spaces, offering just enough natural detail to enhance, without overwhelming, your decor.

 

Natural Grade: Ideal for adding a rustic touch to any room, bringing an outdoorsy feel indoors.

Rustic Grade: Perfect for creating a cozy, “lived-in” atmosphere that’s full of character.

 

Knots and Imperfections: Filling in the Details

 

The natural imperfections in wood, like knots and pores, can be filled to create a smoother surface. Depending on the desired final look, fillers can be clear, stained, or tinted:

 

Wood Putty: Typically used for smaller imperfections, it can be closely matched to the wood to maintain a seamless look.

Resin: For larger knots and cracks, particularly in more rustic grades, clear or tinted resin can be used to accentuate these features, adding to the floor’s natural charm.

 

With the right information and a touch of personal style, choosing the perfect grade of engineered wood flooring can be a delightful part of your home renovation journey. Happy flooring shopping!