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HARMONY TIMBER FLOORS | Free Call Australia Wide 1 300 725 257 |
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Engineered Timber Vs Solid Timber Q: What is an engineered timber? A: Harmony wood flooring is made up as a sandwich of alternating wood layers, commonly known as ply wood, which is designed to provide stability and strength, it's basically a solid-wood top "wear layer" that is permanently bonded to ply-wood, therefore allowing it to be installed directly over most sub floors such as concrete and timber. An engineered plywood floor has approximately one sixth the seasonal movement of a solid timber floor, of the same species and size. Engineered timber makes good use of the timber resources by applying the best grade of timber on the surface layer. Engineered floors in most cases are a more expensive product than solid timber, that is before laying, wood for wood, due to the manufacturing process, however the benefits are far greater than that of a solid timber floor, as the floor does not absorb excess moisture and then contracts when the moisture in the air is lost due to climatic conditions, all timber solid or engineered reacts to climatic changes, the benefit of the engineered is that it is more stable during these changes in the atmosphere. Engineered timber floors can be laid as a floating floor, a solid cannot/or should not be laid as a floating floor, because it will move too much creating problems The question is often asked- Can I re-sand my timber floor? Yes most engineered timber floors can be sanded, how many times depends really on the timber top thickness, but the facts are that the only time a timber floor needs re-sanding is when it has been abused and not properly looked after, or in 99% of the time, when a renovation is taking place and you discover that there is quality timber under the old carpet, this of course has to be sanded because of all the old nails that have been driven in to hold the carpet, we suggest you call in a professional. Another common question- how long will my timber floor last? Well, Pine is one of the softest of timbers, you will find many old farm houses around the world that are more than 200 years old with pine floors which have withstood the test of time, you can rest assured that it will take several lifetimes to wear through an engineered timber floor with a 2mm, 3mm or 4mm top wear surface. • As timber ages it develops its own identity and uniqueness, this is why we love true timber floors. • The most important thing that you can do for your floor is to regularly dust and clean the floor, never expose any timber floor to excessive water, as timber will swell, when cleaning use the "Mist Spray Method" and you will • Have a floor that will last many, many years. • There are timber floor polishes available, which are not waxed, based two coats applied will add to protecting your floor • Remember: Wipe spills promptly, before they seep into the floor • Dry dust mop and vacuum (ensure that your vacuum has a setting that will not scratch your floors, Use only approved hardwood cleaners • Put protective felt under all the legs of furniture • Maintain a relative humidity of between 35-60 percent; this is the most comfortable for humans as well. • Place mats at all entry points of the house, remember timber floors are an investment, and you have a responsibly • To maintain them if you want them to last, like most things in life. NEVER STEAM MOP A TIMBER FLOOR. Or clean with hot water Q: Will my floor be perfectly flat A: Engineered timber floors are machined and milled to exact specifications, however when placed on s sub-floor, there generally is s light variation from board to board, this will not be felt or noticed when walking on the floor. Q: What does pre-finished mean? A: Pre-finished Engineered Timber Flooring is a floor that has been made using natural timber to reconstruct the floor. Pre-finished floors are made in a factory production line, and mostly are coated with superior Ultra Violet quick drying lacquers, good quality floors will have seven or more coats of lacquer applied, most companies are today using the latest technology in coatings by applying "aluminum Oxide with Ceramic" as a final coating to give additional wear protection to the floor, the aluminum and ceramic, make the floor much stronger and wear less under normal traffic, that's why quality floor companies can offer from 15 to 25 years wear surface guarantees. See Pamphlet for more info. A pre-finished floor is also "ready to lay" and ready to walk on, making it a much quicker option in today's sophisticated market. Q: What about man cutting down all the trees, will we run out? Answer: Timber comes from a natural resource, which is sustainable: the days have gone when timber was cut down with little thought for the long term consequences on Nature's Forest's. Today Timber is cut from forests that are carefully managed, to ensure continued resources for future generations. A fact from the USA Forest Services Figures show that: "Almost twice as much timber is added each year through new growth as it is harvested, additionally there is more timber standing today than there was 50 years ago." Using timber floors actually improves the environment, because we are encouraged to grow more trees, these trees pump out more oxygen for a better and healthier lifestyle. Q: Why are timber floors Healthy? A: The Environmental Protection agency, has said that " Indoor Air Quality is one of the top health threats in the world today." Timber floors installed in a home help contribute to a cleaner healthy living environment; timber floors DO NOT HARBOUR DUST MITES OR MOULDS, Creating a better air quality for all inhabitants. Q: Why is a plywood-engineered floor better than Solid Timber floors. A: Plywood is proven to be, more stable, stronger & structurally better than solid timber Plywood is used in the manufacture of Aircraft, Marine and in the building industry. Plywood Offers Dimensional stability: Due to Cross lamination of the timber veneer layers which restricts the veneer movement across the grain from moisture and temperature changes, this makes the dimensional stability far more stable than traditional hardwood Thermal expansion: wood and plywood expand upon heating, as do all solids. The thermal expansion of plywood is quite minimal, whereas the thermal expansion of solid timber is far greater. Moisture Expansion: wood and plywood are hydroscopic; they absorb moisture from the atmosphere, as do all timbers. The expansion of plywood is very small, whereas the expansion of solid timber is far greater. Moisture Expansion: wood and plywood are hydroscopic; they absorb moisture from the atmosphere, as do all timbers. The expansion of plywood is very small, whereas the expansion of solid timber is far greater.
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