Dark Engineered Wood Flooring FAQ's
What Is Dark Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered wood flooring is made from multiple layers of plywood or HDF to create a structurally sound base that offers increased resistance to moisture and humidity. This is then topped with a wear layer of solid wood veneer, to offer the exact same appearance as real wood flooring. Like with solid wood, many engineered wood floors can also be sanded and refinished, providing the wear layer is thick enough.
Our engineered dark wood flooring range features a wide variation of dark floors, from dark grey engineered wood flooring to dark brown engineered wood flooring. All of which have a wide selection of different textures, finishes, and styles. Depending on the style you choose, the top layer of engineered wood flooring can be stained or smoked to achieve a darker colour. Alternatively, you could choose a different species of wood which is already darker in colour such as walnut.
Does Dark Engineered Wood Flooring Scratch Easily?
Any wood flooring, whether engineered wood or solid wood, will be susceptible to scratches to some degree. However, with proper care, this shouldn’t be an issue in most households for 10-15 years.
For households where it may be an issue, we have a wide selection of different finishes that can help prevent scratches or help hide them should they occur. We also have a great selection of engineered wood flooring with 6mm wear layers. These floors can be sanded and refinished up to 5 times during their lifespan if necessary.
If you would like more information regarding how to properly maintain or refinish an engineered wood floor, visit our maintenance centre.
Is Engineered Wood Flooring Waterproof?
Unfortunately, wood flooring is never waterproof. However, engineered wood flooring is much more resistant to moisture and humidity than solid wood flooring. Therefore, small spillages will not cause damage to your flooring, providing they are cleaned within 2-3 hours and not left to seep into the core layers. Due to this improved resistance, our engineered wood floors can also be placed in kitchens, but we do suggest a lacquered finish for additional protection. Since engineered wood flooring is not waterproof, we still wouldn’t advise it for bathrooms. However, if you are looking for waterproof flooring, we have a great range of LVT floors that are perfect for all around the home.
How Long Does Engineered Wood Flooring Need To Acclimatise?
To stop your new floor from warping after installation, it's best to acclimate your engineered wood flooring. Acclimatisation allows the wood to adjust to the temperature and humidity conditions in your home. For optimal results, you should acclimatise your flooring for at least 48 hours, by leaving your flooring laid flat in the room where you plan to install it.
Can You Lighten Dark Engineered Hardwood Floors?
Yes, you can lighten the flooring should you ever decide that dark wood flooring is no longer your style. The most common and permanent way to do this is through sanding and refinishing. This involved removing the existing finish and sanding down around 1mm of your solid wood wear layer to reveal the lighter wood underneath. You can then stain the wood to your desired colour and apply a new finish. If this is something that interests you then we suggest choosing an engineered wood floor with a wear layer of 3mm or above, as well as choosing a suitable finish. For more information, please visit our maintenance centre.
How To Clean Dark Engineered Wood Floors
Dark engineered wood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but like any wood flooring, they can also be delicate. It is important to clean them properly to avoid damaging the finish and keeping them looking their best. Thankfully, all it takes is a regular sweep and occasional mop to keep them looking their best. However, it’s important that you do not use too much water and that you only use mild floor cleaners to avoid causing further damage.
Some other great tips for keeping your engineered wood flooring clean include:
- Placing mats in busy areas like entrances and doorways.
- Using microfibre cloths to avoid scratching the floor.
- Cleaning any pet accidents quickly to prevent staining or discolouration.
For more information, visit our engineered wood flooring maintenance guide.