Having become more aware of their lifestyles and the impacts they have on our ecosystem, people around the world are now becoming more environmentally conscious. They are now striving to lead greener lives that leave minimal carbon footprints. Of the many steps taken and the changes that have been made in a bid to save the environment, one of the lesser talked about topics is the use of engineered wood flooring instead of normal hardwood flooring in homes.
Hardwood vs. Engineered Wood: What’s The Difference?
While hardwood flooring brings a warm and classic feel to homes regardless of the form they take, they are not sustainable. In order to produce them, countless trees are chopped down and forests are made to look barren which consequently fuels the current environmental crisis.
Although similar to hardwood flooring in appearance, Engineered Wood Flooring is made from a range of derivative wood products which are produced by binding or fixing the particles, fibres, strands, veneers or boards of wood together with adhesives or other binding methods to form composite material. While there are different types of engineered wood flooring, here are the most common ones:
Plank Flooring
Mostly used in kitchens and toilets, plank flooring is an imitation of hardwood flooring. You can find this specific type of flooring that comes in strips in a number of styles, each resembling different types of wood, from oak, hickory and more. It is a great option for any home!
Chevron Wood Flooring
Chevron wood flooring gives off a stunning ‘V’ pattern. The ends of the chevron planks are cut at a 45° angle in order for the ‘V’ pattern to be created when installed. Chevron wood flooring makes homes look cosy yet aesthetically pleasing.
Herringbone Wood Flooring
Herringbone wood flooring is the traditional style of laying parquet blocks. The blocks are a lot smaller than the usual flooring planks and the ends are cut at a 90° angle so that the pattern will stagger rather than create a ‘V’ shape as chevron wood flooring does. When installed, herringbone wood flooring creates a distinctive zigzag pattern that is visually stimulating.
Versailles Panels
Versailles panels are a classic! Owing its name to the stunning Chateau de Versailles in France, Versailles panels consist of squares that are connected together in what appears as an interwoven net of wood strips within a wooden frame, leaving a luxurious impression.
Despite the enriched ambience it creates in homes, is engineered wood flooring good for the environment? Compared to hardwood flooring, engineered wood flooring is unquestionably a lot more environmentally friendly.
How Is Engineered Wood Flooring Good For The Environment?
Now let us examine how engineered wood flooring benefits the environment and protect the natural resources.
Healthy forest regeneration
Engineered wood flooring saves certain trees from becoming endangered or extinct. The trees used to make hardwood flooring grow much more slowly than the trees used to make engineered wood flooring.
By making use of smaller trees from well-managed woodlands, engineered wood flooring saves old growth as well as slow-growing trees from becoming endangered or extinct, leaving them all for the future generations to appreciate and enjoy. In fact, demand for engineered wood flooring will encourage forest owners to prioritize healthy forest regeneration.
Its production creates little to no pollutants
The veneer that is used to make engineered wood flooring is sliced rather than cut with a saw. This process produces almost no sawdust, which means that it creates little to no pollutants as by-products and makes use of almost all of the veneer to make the flooring.
It reduces the need for replacement
Although hardwood floors are durable, they are susceptible to damage if they are exposed to too much moisture. If the wooden planks start to wear out, you will need to change them or else they risk further damage.
Engineered wood flooring, on the other hand, can withstand moisture. Not to mention, if a replacement is required, it is easy to remove the planks that are damaged and replace it, which greatly reduces the overall amount of wood you use. Engineered wood flooring is definitely a greener option. If you are in search of the perfect flooring that suits your home and the environment, engineered wood flooring is the best option.
About the Author
This article was written by Martin O’Callaghan of Wood Flooring Ireland who are strive to provide high-quality, environmentally friendly wood flooring to the Irish market.
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