Thinking of adding engineered wood flooring into your business? While largely suitable for the home, some engineered wood floors are also tough enough to be installed in a commercial setting.

Helping to add a luxurious, warm and welcoming effect, it’s not hard to see why many business owners prefer this type of flooring. Here, you’ll discover everything you need to know about installing engineered wood floors in your business and the top things to consider.

Is engineered wood flooring suitable for all types of businesses?

While engineered wood flooring can be a great choice for light commercial environments, it should not be used in heavy commercial settings. This is because although it features superior durability, it is susceptible to damage when exposed to high levels of foot traffic.

You should also avoid installing it in moisture prone environments. It is a lot less susceptible to moisture and temperature changes than solid wood, but it is still not immune to potential moisture related damage.

Offices, cafes, hairdressers, and small independent shops would particularly benefit from engineered wood flooring.

The benefits it delivers

Engineered wood flooring can deliver a lot of great benefits to your business. Some of the main ones include:

• It looks beautiful and luxurious
• Can last for decades when taken care of
• Suitable for use with underfloor heating
• Easy to install
• Can be re-sanded and finished if needed

The most obvious benefit of engineered wood flooring is that it looks just like solid wood. This is all thanks to its real wood veneer. So, you benefit from a beautiful and luxurious aesthetic which will give the business a stylish, high-end look.

You’ll also find engineered wood flooring can last for years when it’s properly maintained. It tends to come with a generous warranty, although the length of this will differ depending upon the brand and particular floor chosen.

As engineered wood floors aren’t as susceptible to changes in moisture and temperature, they can also be installed with underfloor heating. Again, this is something you should check before buying. Not all engineered floors are suitable for use with underfloor heating systems, and others have restrictions on the type of system that can be used. If you choose one with underfloor heating compatibility, it can help to keep your customers and clients warm in colder months.

When it comes to installing the floor, you should find it pretty straightforward. Most come with a tongue and groove system which is easy to use. However, for the easiest installation method, look out for click system engineered flooring. Very few engineered wood floors feature a click system, but the newer brands have started to adopt them into their designs.

Finally, depending upon the thickness of the floor, you should also be able to re-sand and finish the floor when needed. Some can be re-sanded a few times, helping to really extend the life of the floor.

These are just some of the reasons why engineered wood can make a great choice for smaller businesses. If you have the budget, it’s worth taking a look at the commercial grade engineered wood floors currently on the market.

Things to consider before buying

Like any type of flooring, there are a few things you should consider before buying engineered wood flooring for your business.

Firstly, you’ll want to pay attention to the wear layer. The thicker the floor is, the more durable it’s going to be. You’ll also be able to sand them down more the thicker it is. This means you can greatly extend its longevity, helping you to save money refreshing, rather than replacing the whole floor.

Another thing to think about is the floor’s finish. You can choose from lacquered or oiled surfaces. While both offer excellent protection against wear and tear, oiled surfaces tend to perform better in light commercial environments. This is because they can hide minor scratches and scuffs much easier than lacquered surfaces. You can also purchase unfinished engineered wood floors, though you would have to provide your own finish which could work out more costly.

Finally, you’ll want to pay attention to the dimensions of the planks too. Larger and wider planks tend to be much easier to install, though they can work out more expensive to purchase.

Overall, engineered wooden floors can prove to be a great choice for smaller independent businesses. However, you should make sure you are installing them in low to moderate foot traffic environments to prevent damage. With the right care and attention, they could last for decades, making them a money saving investment.