How to Calculate Engineered Wood Flooring Prices

Engineered wood has emerged as one of the most popular flooring choices in recent years. Thanks to its sleek, modern appearance and outstanding functionality, engineered wood floors are significantly less prone to moisture damage and other types of wear compared to traditional flooring options. This has led many homeowners and interior designers to favour this manufactured product over solid wood.

It's no surprise that so many people are opting for engineered wood in various areas of their homes—including kitchens and bathrooms, which often face challenging environments! Engineered wood is, without a doubt, among the most durable, sturdy, and hard-wearing flooring options available in both domestic and international markets. It ticks most people's boxes across the board, making it a smart choice for any space. Need more reasons to finalise your decision? The list of benefits continues!

Moreover, engineered wood can be installed practically anywhere, even in areas with high traffic or more aggressive conditions. You can install it above underfloor heating and on various subfloors, including uneven concrete, thanks to the flexibility that engineered timber offers. You can enjoy a wide variety of stunning designs that replicate the authentic look of real wood—all at a fraction of the price of solid wood floors. That's right; engineered floors are significantly more affordable without compromising on quality!

In this article, we'll help you understand how engineered wood prices are calculated and what factors influence them the most.

What affects the price of engineered wood flooring?

As straightforward as it may seem (after all, wood flooring is certainly not rocket science), the price of engineered wood flooring is influenced by several factors, including the number of strips and thickness of the boards. For those unfamiliar with the concept, let's clarify what engineered wood flooring is.

Engineered wood may resemble solid wood flooring once installed, and even professionals can find it challenging to tell the difference. However, the secret to engineered wood lies in its unique structure. Although it consists of real wood and lumber products, engineered wood is a manufactured product designed to be significantly less susceptible to moisture, humidity damage, and temperature fluctuations.

If you currently have solid wood or parquet flooring, you know that issues like high traffic, heavy footfall, spills, and regular temperature changes can cause damage, leading to quicker wear and tear. Engineered wood helps you avoid these situations with its layered construction, which is glued and pressed together in a crisscross pattern. This design effectively prevents the shrinking and expansion of the wooden boards due to moisture and humidity.

Benefits of Engineered Wood's Structure

• Versatility: Engineered wood flooring can be installed in various environments, making it ideal for bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and even unlevelled concrete subfloors.
• Layered Construction: The price of engineered wood is largely determined by the number of layers, which directly affects the thickness of the board. The top layer, known as the lamella, is made from solid wood and topped with layers of finishing and sealing products.

Thickness and Price Correlation

In general:

• Thicker Lamella = Higher Price: The thicker the top lamella and the broader the board, the higher the price of engineered wood flooring. Conversely, thinner top layers and narrower boards are available at lower prices.
• Quality on a Budget: Even with a thin top layer and narrow boards, you can still enjoy a durable and long-lasting flooring solution. One significant advantage of engineered wood is that it offers beauty and functionality, even if you're shopping on a budget.

You might wonder why the price is determined by thickness. Here’s why:

1. Material Usage: Thicker and broader boards require more material, increasing the overall price.
2. Manufacturing Complexity: Broader boards necessitate a larger cross-section of the tree, making production more time-consuming and expensive.

As a result, you can expect that a triple stripboard with a thick lamella will cost more than a single narrow board with a thin lamella.

Is It Worth the Investment?

You may be asking yourself if it's worth paying more for a triple strip, thicker lamella board when you can save some money with narrower and thinner options. The answer depends on your needs and style preferences. When choosing engineered wood, it often comes down to quality versus design.

Conclusion:

• If you’re on a tight budget, narrow floorboards with a thicker lamella can provide a durable and stylish flooring solution.
• If you’re looking for even cheaper options, there are engineered wood flooring solutions available with a narrow appearance and a thin top layer (around 10mm) that start at just £24 per square meter.