Tongue & Groove

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Find Your Perfect Tongue & Groove Engineered Wood Flooring With Our Free Samples

We offer free samples of our entire range of engineered wood flooring. Get a true-to-life example of how your new flooring will look, with our unlimited free samples.

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Ordering your free samples has never been easier!

Just find the flooring style you like, or pick a few, as we have no limit on samples. Then click the ‘order free sample’ button on the flooring you want, either within the category or individual product page. When you've finished, go to your cart and order your free samples - with free shipping included. 

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Tongue & Groove Engineered Wood Flooring FAQs

What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?

Engineered wood flooring has been purposefully designed and built using a combination of plywood and solid wood. Due to its hardwood top layer, engineered wood flooring is a very convincing replica of solid wood. In fact, once it’s laid you won’t be able to tell the difference! 

Almost all our engineered wood flooring products use the simple tongue & groove installation method.

How Is Engineered Wood Flooring Made?

Engineered wood flooring is made by taking 3-12 layers of plywood and gluing them on top of each other. The layers of plywood are then topped with a layer of solid wood to create an exact replica when installed. The creative construction of engineered wood flooring means that it is more stable and durable than solid wood flooring.

Is Engineered Wood Flooring Waterproof?

No, due to the solid wood surface, engineered wood flooring is not waterproof. It can withstand small amounts of spillage, but we still advise that you clean them quickly to avoid damage.

If puddles are left for too long, the liquid can seep into the cracks causing warping and discoloration. However, as long as you clean up any spillages quickly, your engineered wood floor will look great for years to come.

Is Engineered Wood Flooring Suitable For Kitchens?

Due to their unique composition, engineered wood floors are durable enough to withstand high volumes of activity. They can also cope well with moderate levels of moisture and humidity that you might find in your kitchen.

However, if you do plan to install engineered wood flooring in your kitchen, we suggest opting for a lacquered finish which provides an impermeable top layer and offers greater protection.

Is Engineered Wood Flooring Suitable for Bathrooms?

Engineered wood flooring is not waterproof and therefore is not suitable to be placed in bathrooms.

We recommend looking at our LVT range if you need a floor that is suitable for bathrooms. We also have some laminate flooring options that have waterproof capabilities. Both laminate and LVT offer a wood effect, whilst still being able to withstand higher levels of moisture and humidity.

How Do I Keep My Engineered Wood Flooring In Top Condition?

Engineered wood flooring is highly durable and will withstand the pressures of any busy household. That said, there are a few things you can do to keep your flooring in excellent condition and looking as good as when it was first laid:

• A daily sweep or clean with a damp mop.
• Mopping up spillages as soon as possible to avoid staining.
• Reapplying oils regularly ensures your floor has maximum protection.

For more information on how to maintain your engineered wood flooring, visit our maintenance guide.

Does Engineered Wood Flooring Need Underlay?

Engineered wood flooring is dense enough to be laid without an underlay. However, for a professional finish and the best possible results, we always recommend installing underlay as well.

Underlay is a thin layer of cushioning material that is placed between the subfloor and the wood flooring.

Installing underlay will smooth out your sub-floor and make it even, so you’ll be able to lay your engineered wood floor on an even ground which will offer your floor more stability. It will also add an extra layer to your flooring making it softer and more comfortable beneath your feet. Not only that, but it improves the insulation of your home too, making your rooms warmer and improving energy efficiency. A massive bonus, considering the current energy prices and living costs.

Can Engineered Wood Flooring Be Installed Over Ceramic Tile?

Engineered wood can be installed over ceramic tile however, you need to ensure that the tile is in good condition before installing your engineered wood flooring. If the tile is damaged or uneven then it will cause problems for your new floors such as creaking, hollowness, or uneven planks. Having an even subfloor is a must if you want your new engineered wood flooring to last many years to come.

Does Engineered Wood Flooring Scratch Easily?

Like any wood floor, engineered wood flooring can be susceptible to scratches, but will withstand the usual pressures of daily use, even in busy family households.

If you do find that your flooring has been heavily scratched, the solid wood top layer can be sanded down and refinished. Where heavy damage is a concern, we advise checking the wear layer and opting for a thicker veneer to offer more chances for refinishing in the future. This way, your engineered wood floor can look brand new for years without you having to worry about any damage.

You can also choose from a selection of finishes that will help protect your flooring from scratches. The most popular options are oil and lacquer. Oil finishes will soak into the wood to strengthen it whereas, lacquer is a thicker finish that offers more protection.

Can Engineered Wood Floors Be Sanded and Refinished?                                      

Yes, engineered wood floors can be sanded and refinished. The number of times you can sand and refinish your flooring depends on the thickness of the top layer.

How Long Does Engineered Wood Flooring Last?

Thanks to the durability and stability of engineered wood floors they can last for decades. If looked after properly, engineered wood floors can last up to 30 years.

Does Engineered Wood Need To Acclimate?

We recommend acclimatising your engineered wood floor so that it can become used to the conditions of your home before it is installed. Even though it is more stable than solid wood flooring, engineered wood floors will still move slightly so it’s best to let them acclimate before installation. We recommend a minimum of two days between receiving your floor and installing it, but the longer you can leave it to acclimatise, the better.

Tongue & Groove Engineered Flooring Finishes & Treatments

Unfinished

An unfinished wood floor is simply a raw material. The wood has been cut and shaped into planks, but it hasn’t gone through the finishing process of having a stain or protective layer of oil or lacquer put onto it. Unfinished wood is ideal if you want to match the finish to other wood features such as the banister or dado rails. Simply find an oil, wax, lacquer, or stain that matches the look you want, and you have your very own unique flooring. Always remember to apply the treatment before installing your floor to ensure durability.

Brushed & Oiled

A brushed and oiled engineered wood floor is when the surface of the flooring has been lightly brushed using steel wire wool during production to remove the upper layer of the wood grain. This exposes the natural qualities and charm of the wood without causing any damage. The wood is then protected with oil and is ready to be used once installed.

Brushed and Invisible Oiled

A brushed and invisible oiled engineered wood floor is when the surface of the flooring has been lightly brushed using a steel wire wool during production which removes the upper layer of the wood grain. The wood is then protected with an invisible oil.

Similar to an invisible lacquer, invisible oils provide the same level of protection that a traditional oil finish would, whilst leaving the natural color of your engineered floor untouched.

Brushed and Lacquered

A brushed and lacquered real wood floor is when the surface of the flooring has been lightly brushed using steel wire wool during production which removes the upper layer of the wood grain. The wood is then protected with lacquer.

Brushed and Matt Lacquered

Similar to the above finishes, a brushed and matt lacquered floor is when the surface of the flooring has been lightly brushed, using steel wire wool during production which removes the upper layer of the wood grain. The wood is then protected with a matt lacquer. The only difference here is that the lacquer is matt instead of normal.

Handscraped

With a hand-scraped engineered wood floor, the surface of the hardwood has been scraped, by hand, to add extra definition.

Aged

Aged flooring is created by adding slight bumps and scrapes to the surface of engineered wood planks. This gives the impression of worn flooring that is full of character and has been around for years. There are varying levels of aging are available, depending upon your style preference, giving an impression of short and long-term wear.

Distressed

Distressed flooring has had additional texture added to the surface, such as bumps and scrapes. This creates a greater depth of grains, knots, and patterns. Distressed finishes are ideal if you want the stability of a new floor, but with the appearance of an antique floor.

Lacquered

Lacquer creates a protective layer for solid wood flooring that helps reduce damage from spillages, liquids, and light scuffs, using a thin layer that sits on top of the flooring. The lacquer adds additional strength and protection to the hardwood, making it ideal for heavier traffic areas, whilst maintaining its natural character and charm.

Oiled

Oil will not provide as much protection from surface moisture because instead of creating a ‘protective barrier’ the oil seeps into the wood grain to protect the boards. This means that oiled flooring will require greater maintenance and care over spillages. It will also need replenishing with oil more often. However, the process is much easier with oil because sanding is not always necessary beforehand, whereas it is with lacquered finishes.

Engineered Wood Flooring Thickness

Board Thickness

Generally speaking, board thickness is a case of personal preference, however, thicker boards, whilst usually more expensive do tend to be more hard wearing and provide a slightly improved sound reduction performance, which should be considered in upstairs apartments or bedrooms, for example. As well as this, thicker boards are usually more suited to higher traffic areas, where they can withstand greater use.