What should I look for when choosing engineered wood flooring?

[morningporridge]

We've not had engineered wood flooring before so I would appreciate any suggestions for what to look for (or avoid!) when choosing it. I know there's a wear layer so I guess thicker is better. Are there any companies that are good, or to avoid? Do any 'wear' better? Or are any easier to keep clean?

I assume they are all equally slippery and there's nothing much what will affect that?

We are thinking to put it through the hallway and kitchen as well as other rooms so want something that will survive as well as possible!

Thanks

I had Kahrs engineered flooring down for 12 years before I moved. Loved it-solid, warm and beautiful tones of European oak. My house wasn’t large so had the 2 strip Verona which kept the cost down. I had the brushed Matt lacquer which wasn’t slippery-I think due to the extra texture and it looked oiled but without the maintenance. Would have it again in a heartbeat-the wooden floor in my new house is ok but nowhere near as good.

@Subbaxeo thanks. I've looked that one up and it looks lovely! Do you think it would be hardwearing enough for a hallway (with buggy etc), and the kitchen?

Engineered is really no different to solid except it is more stable, less likely to warp etc looks identical.

Most people never sand their floor. If you do then you lose the beveling at the edge.

An oiled floor is less slippery than lacquered and less prone to scratching. If it does scratch it is much easier to repair - just rub some floor oil onto it.

@TobyHouseMan thanks for your reply. Do you think engineered wood is hardwearing enough to be used in a kitchen and hallway?

@morningporridge we had it in a hallway and 2 reception rooms with a big dog who had long claws so it was pretty bombproof! It even weathered a stupid plasterer who didn’t put any protection down and walked a load of setting plaster on to it then broke my steam mop trying to get rid of it🤣. He had to come back and spend hours with a damp microfibres cloth getting into all the textured bits!!

@morningporridge We have it in our hallway with two dogs and its holds up fairly well. I know of no circumstances where a solid wood floor is more advantages than engineered.

We got brushed and oiled Engineered Oak.