The Enduring Popularity Of Engineered Wood Flooring

Check out our stunning product range and you could be forgiven for thinking that engineered wood flooring is a relatively new surface. Maybe even a passing fad? Nothing could be further from the truth. Engineered wood flooring has been around for quite a few years, and it has a popularity that endures.

Engineered wood flooring really came into its own after the Second World War, particularly in the USA and Europe. The reason is simple. Millions of soldiers were returning home, and in the new wave of prosperity that swept across America in particular, a building boom began to house the veterans and their families. Demand was high and these new houses needed to be built quickly and within budget; as a result, architectural features that were common before the war were replaced by new innovations that were cheaper and faster to construct. A prime example is raised wooden subfloors being substituted with concrete slabs, an innovation in widespread use today.

This had serious consequences for the solid wood flooring industry. Solid wood timbers weren’t the best materials to be installed over concrete, and that is still the case! Because solid wood flooring is made entirely from natural wood, it can react to the dampness of concrete by constantly enlarging and shrinking, and this cycle can lead to a number of issues and imperfections including warping and cracking. So, a compromise was called for. Carpet and linoleum were the obvious solutions but people missed the beauty of wood –  so the flooring industry went back to the drawing board and looked for something that would combine the aesthetics of a solid wood floor with the strength and durability required to allow this surface to be installed on a concrete slab. 

Engineered wood flooring was, of course, the answer. A hardwood layer on top of a specially engineered and strengthened base made it possible for the surface to installed directly onto concrete without any ongoing damage. You’ll recognise that these practical benefits still apply today. This explains the enduring popularity of engineered wooding flooring – but only to a certain extent! Much of the appeal of this type of flooring is just how good it looks. Here in New Zealand, engineered wood flooring is loved as much for its style as it is for its strength. It’s a winning combination that won’t lose any of its appeal and that why we are so proud to offer it to you as a flooring solution in any situation.