13.5mm

Our Top 3 13.5mm Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered Wood Flooring Samples

Find Your Perfect 13.5mm Engineered Wood Flooring With Our Free Samples

At Flooring365 we believe that flooring should be a long-term investment which is why we offer free samples on all of our in-stock products. This way, you can see and feel the quality of our flooring, in the comfort of your own home. Not only is this the best way to decide, but it also helps you see the flooring in the right lighting where it will be placed. 

How To Order Your 13.5mm Engineered Wood Flooring Samples

To make use of our free sample service, choose the product you want to sample and click the ‘order free sample’ button to add it to your cart. You can visit your cart at any time to check your selection but don’t forget we offer unlimited samples. So be sure to add as many as you need to before proceeding to your cart, where you can order them free of charge.

Quick & Easy Delivery

All of our samples are delivered for free via Royal Mail, straight through your letterbox, so there is no need to wait at home for your delivery.

Engineered Wood Flooring FAQ's

What Is 13.5mm Engineered Wood Flooring?

Engineered wood flooring consists of boards that feature a real piece of oak or walnut attached to several layers of purpose-picked wood. Due to its construction, engineered wood flooring has a much better resistance to temperature and humidity changes so warping is less likely. Plus, the solid wood top layer makes it impossible to tell the difference between engineered wood and solid wood, making it an ideal alternative.  

Our 13.5mm engineered wood flooring range offers a great middle-ground option for most homes since it is suitable for underfloor heating and budget-friendly whilst still being able to withstand heavy foot traffic with the opportunity to sand and refinish in future. It also has a great balance of under-foot feel, sound absorption, and impact resistance, without being too expensive. 

Does Engineered Wood Flooring Scratch Easily?

Any wood floor can be susceptible to scratches over time, but this shouldn’t be an issue providing it is cared for correctly. However, if you have pets or children then scratches may be more of a concern. In this case, you can choose from a selection of finishes that make the flooring more scratch-resistant. In the worst-case scenario, our 13.5mm engineered wood floors can usually be sanded and refinished. This will remove the top layer of wood (usually around 1mm) and will have your flooring look brand new again. For more information on how to refinish, or maintain your 13.5mm engineered wood flooring, visit our maintenance centre. 

Is Engineered Wood Flooring Waterproof?

Engineered wood flooring consists of real wood, so it is not waterproof. If a liquid is left to sit for long periods, it can seep into the wood, causing warping and discolouration. Lacquer finishing can provide more resistance but does not make the flooring waterproof. As leading flooring experts, we would suggest choosing a waterproof alternative for bathrooms such as luxury vinyl tiles. However, a lacquered engineered wood floor should be enough protection for most kitchens. 

How Long Does Engineered Wood Flooring Need To Acclimatise?

We recommend acclimatising your engineered oak wood flooring to prevent warping as it adjusts to the temperature and humidity conditions of your home. To do this, you must leave your flooring alone in the room where you are going to install it. While more stable than solid wood flooring, you should still acclimatise your flooring for at least 48 hours for the best results.

Engineered Wood Flooring Finishes & Treatments

Unfinished

Unfinished floors are not stained, oiled, or lacquered. This allows you to finish the flooring as you see fit. To ensure your flooring is durable, you must finish your boards before you can fit them.

Brushed

Brushed finishes help enhance the natural character and texture of the wood by gently brushing it with a steel comb. You can then treat the flooring with oil or lacquer, as described below.

Lacquered

Lacquer is a varnish that dries to produce a hard, durable finish. It comes in gloss, matt, or satin matt finishes and can be clear or coloured. It is usually applied to the flooring to help reduce the damage caused by spillages and act as an additional wear layer. This makes lacquered floors ideal for more chaotic areas whilst maintaining their natural character.

Oiled

Oil seeps into the wood and maintains the surface texture of wood flooring whilst still providing some resistance to damage. However, oiled finishes will not create a surface layer that can act as a barrier. Therefore, oiled flooring will require more maintenance and care over spillages. 

Wood Species

Oak

Oak is the most popular choice when it comes to wood flooring. Engineered oak flooring offers the exact appearance of a hardwood oak floor, thanks to the veneer layer of solid wood. Our oak engineered flooring can cope with heat, humidity, and heavy foot traffic much better than your average oak floor. Whether you prefer red or white oak, our engineered oak flooring range offers plenty of choice with a huge range of products available in various finishes. Oak floors also have a much tighter grain variation, resulting in less difference in grains and texture between each board. If this is something that appeals to you, then you should consider looking at our prime-grade oak flooring options too.

Walnut

Walnut is the less popular option of the two and this is mostly because it's a rarer product that is harder to source and therefore more expensive to buy. However, for those seeking a luxurious touch to their flooring design, our engineered walnut floors are the perfect choice. With a rich and elegant appearance, walnut flooring is ideal for grand entrances and large living rooms. Walnut flooring features vibrant colours and wider grains compared to oak, giving it a unique and striking character. However, walnut floors do tend to have more variation from plank to plank, so if you're looking for a more uniform appearance, then walnut floors may not be for you.

Wear Layer

The wear layer refers to the top, aesthetic surface layer of real wood, which gives the engineered flooring its look. Thicker wear layers offer greater durability and the option to sand more frequently.

Most engineered wood floors, regardless of the thickness of the wear layer, will provide years of use, maintaining their impressive appearance.

Sanding Guide

In most cases, sanding the top layer of engineered wood flooring will remove up to 1MM of surface, with a minimum of 1MM leftover for protection. As a rough guide, here’s the number of times a floor can be sanded, based on the initial wear layer thickness:

3mm: 1-2 times

4mm: 2-3 times

5mm: 3-4 times

6mm: 4-5 times

(Please note: Sanding times is a guide only, the number of times a floor can be sanded will vary on an individual basis.)

Engineered Wood Flooring Installation Methods

Tongue & Groove

Tongue and groove is the most common method among engineered wood flooring; compatible boards fit together and hold in place with glue. The glue means tongue and groove flooring is free of nails, making it visually appealing and safe to walk on barefoot.

Click System

Click Lok flooring has a profiled edge which creates a glue-free, interlocking fitting system. Simply, push, drop, click, and lock the boards into place for a sturdy floor installation. This method is often perfect for DIY enthusiasts.

Floating Floor

You can install tongue and groove flooring onto a layer of underlay as a floating floor. Underlay has many benefits, such as providing sound dampening and protecting your flooring from moisture and temperature changes.

Glue Installation

If you have a suitable subfloor (flat and sturdy surface such as concrete with a damp-proof membrane), you can glue your flooring to it with a strong adhesive. Glued installation creates a very stable and sturdy floor, especially with thicker boards, such as 14-20mm wood flooring.