How Durable Is Engineered Wood Flooring?

It is no surprise that when it comes to flooring, most people consider durability first. After all, you would not want to choose a floor that struggles to stand the test of time and everyday challenges. It’s no different when it comes to choosing engineered wood flooring, where durability and longevity are primary considerations. 

Engineered wood flooring combines the elegance of real wood with enhanced stability and without the pitfalls of real wood. As a material, engineered wood can vary significantly in terms of performance, wear resistance, and longevity, depending on its construction, finish, and wood species. 

With many options available in the UK market, how do you know which engineered wood flooring is the best for your needs? In this comprehensive review, we take an in-depth look at the durability of different types of engineered wood floors with respect to three key areas – strength, resistance to wear, and how long they are likely to last.

The wood species you choose plays a significant role in the overall durability of your engineered wood floor. Some types of wood are naturally more resilient than others, and this extends to engineered wood as well.

Strength: Oak is widely regarded as one of the most durable options for engineered wood flooring. It is strong, dense, and resistant to impact. Oak’s robustness makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas like commercial spaces, living rooms, hallways, and kitchens.

Wear Resistance: Oak fares well in terms of wear resistance, especially when treated with a protective finish such as UV oil or lacquer. The wood’s naturally tight grain helps prevent the formation of visible scratches and dents over time.

Longevity: When properly maintained, oak can last 30 years or more, making it a long-term investment. It’s often considered one of the most reliable choices when durability is a priority.

Strength: Walnut is a denser wood than oak, and although it’s somewhat softer than oak, it still offers strong protection against everyday wear and tear. However, because of its softer surface, walnut floors are more prone to scratches, particularly in busy households with pets.

Wear Resistance: Walnut’s rich, dark colour can help mask small scratches, but because of its softness, the finish can wear faster, particularly in high-traffic areas. It is often treated with hard-wax oils or polyurethane finishes to increase its wear resistance.

Longevity: With proper care, walnut flooring can last 20 to 30 years, though the surface may show signs of wear sooner than oak if not properly maintained.

Strength: Maple is a relatively hard wood, known for its durability and strength, making it an excellent option for spaces that experience heavy foot traffic. It’s often used in commercial settings because of its resilience.

Wear Resistance: Maple floors have a smooth, fine grain that resists dirt and dust accumulation, which contributes to their long-lasting performance. However, they can show scratches more easily due to the lighter tone of the wood.

Longevity: These floors can last 20 to 30 years with proper care, especially if treated with a high-quality finish.

Strength: Hickory is one of the toughest woods, known for its exceptional strength and shock resistance. It’s ideal for high-traffic areas and homes with children or pets.

Wear Resistance: Due to its dense grain structure, hickory is highly resistant to wear and can stand up to the roughest conditions. It’s one of the best choices for areas that experience heavy daily use, like corridors or living rooms.

Longevity: Hickory can last up to 40 years or more when maintained properly, making it an excellent long-term investment for those who want a durable engineered wood floor.

The finish applied to engineered wood flooring significantly impacts its durability. The protective layer shields the surface from moisture, dirt, and wear, extending the life of the flooring.

Strength: UV oil finishes penetrate the wood, offering a deep, protective layer that doesn’t just sit on the surface but bonds with the grain. This type of finish enhances the natural look of the wood, bringing out the grain pattern without adding a shiny surface.

Wear Resistance: While UV oil finishes are effective at protecting the wood against scratches and dents, they are less resistant to water damage compared to lacquer or polyurethane finishes. 

Longevity: Floors with a UV oil finish can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, depending on the amount of foot traffic and care taken to maintain the floor.

Strength: Lacquer is a popular finish offering a solid, durable layer of protection on the surface. Lacquered finishes create a glossy, smooth surface that enhances the natural beauty of the wood.

Wear Resistance: Lacquer finishes offer superior wear resistance, providing excellent protection against scratches, scuffs, and stains. However, they can be susceptible to peeling if subjected to excessive moisture or abrasive cleaning methods.

Longevity: Lacquered finishes can last up to 20 years with proper maintenance, though high-traffic areas may need re-coating earlier.

Strength: Polyurethane provides a tough, long-lasting finish that forms a hard, protective layer over the wood. This finish is highly resistant to scratches, dents, and water, making it ideal for spaces prone to spills, such as kitchens or bathrooms.

Wear Resistance: Polyurethane’s high resistance to wear and tear is one of its standout features. It can withstand heavy foot traffic and offers a good degree of protection against impacts and stains.

Longevity: With proper care, polyurethane finishes can last 20 to 30 years, even in high-traffic areas.

The core material of engineered wood flooring can also affect its overall durability. Higher-quality cores tend to be more stable, less prone to warping, and better at handling changes in humidity.

Strength: Plywood is a stable, strong core material that is resistant to changes in temperature and humidity. It helps engineered wood flooring perform well in areas with fluctuating conditions, such as kitchens and conservatories.

Wear Resistance: Plywood cores are durable and provide added strength to the engineered wood planks, but the wear resistance of the floor is still heavily dependent on the thickness of the top veneer and the finish applied.

Longevity: Plywood core floors typically last 20 to 40 years, with the longevity of the floor directly tied to the quality of the veneer and finish.

Strength: HDF is an engineered material that is denser and more rigid than MDF, but it’s still generally less robust than plywood. While HDF can still handle most household environments, it’s more vulnerable to moisture damage compared to plywood.

Wear Resistance: HDF cores provide good resistance to denting and scratches but are less resilient than plywood when exposed to prolonged moisture.

Longevity: Floors with HDF cores are typically less durable than those with plywood cores, lasting around 15 to 25 years depending on use and maintenance.

When it comes to choosing the best engineered wood flooring for durability, there are several factors to consider. Wood species, finish type, and core material all play an important role in determining how well your floor will perform over time. For high durability, oak, hickory, and maple are great choices, especially with lacquered or polyurethane finishes. For a more refined look with excellent wear resistance, consider opting for a high-quality plywood core with a UV-oiled finish.

Ultimately, the best engineered wood floor for your home will depend on your specific needs – whether you prioritise high traffic performance, moisture resistance, or a longer-lasting aesthetic appeal. With the right selection, engineered wood flooring can offer both beauty and durability that will stand the test of time.Contact our experts at Flooring Factory Outlet on 020 3004 6630 or email at sales@flooringfactoryoutlet.co.uk to find a wide range of engineered wood floors at the best outlet prices.