The Floor Room guide to looking after your engineered wood floor

Engineered wood can be a great alternative to solid wood or laminate. It can be hard to tell apart from solid wood floor but because it’s made with multiple layers of timber, it’s actually more stable and easier to look after. Here’s how to care for your engineered wood floor so it stays looking great for longer.

Engineered wood gives a brilliant natural luxe look to your home, and it’s fairly easy to keep clean, as it’s a natural material. A regular sweep, the right products and knowledge about this flooring are all you need to keep it looking great for years.

Three easy ways to look after your wood floor

1. Keep it clean. A quick wipe around with a dry microfibre mop or vacuum will deal with daily dust, while a damp flat mop is all you need for a deeper clean.
2. Keep moisture to a minimum. Engineered wood is moisture-resistant, but it’s still best to mop up spills swiftly and clean with as little water as possible.
3. Prevent scratches. Avoid walking around in stiletto heels or very hard-soled shoes, keep pets’ claws trimmed and use felt pads under your furniture legs.
    

Do

• Vacuum or sweep often
• Soak up spills asap
• Use a flat mop, not a string mop
• Put mats and rugs at doors
• Place pads under furniture legs

Don't

• Clean with too much water
• Use wax-based cleaners
• Use harsh detergents or bleach
• Use steam cleaners
• Wear stiletto heels

Engineered wood is more structurally stable than real wood, which means it is easier to maintain. It can deal with changes in temperature and moisture levels, but there are still several steps that need to be taken to ensure your flooring remains fabulous.

Protect from moisture

Your engineered wood floor can cope better with moisture and humidity than solid wood, but never let it get soaking wet. Mop up spills quickly and only wash it with a well-wrung or damp mop.

Protect from dents and scratches

A few scratches on your floor can add character, but if you prefer a pristine finish, sweep or vacuum often, use felt furniture pads, stop dirt with doormats and keep stiletto or hard heels off your floor.

Even if you take every step to protect your engineered wood floor, life happens and you’ll probably have to deal with a scratch or mark at some point.

How do I repair scratches on my wood floor?

Minor scratches or dents can be fixed with a little wood filler or putty. Choose a filler that matches your wood floor’s finish as closely as possible. You’ll need to sand it lightly once it’s dried and you might need to finish with a little wood stain to match it to the rest of your floor.

Can I sand engineered wood floors?

You can sand your floor to get rid of surface marks, but only if it has a thick enough top layer. Sanding floors with a too-thin top layer could damage them. If your floor’s top layer is at least 2 to 3 millimetres thick, you can sand and refinish it.

Remember: even thicker top layers only have a veneer of real wood, so you’ll only be able to sand it two or three times in its lifetime. To make sure you don’t cause damage, it is best to call in a professional. If you only option is to repair yourself, most DIY shops will sell wood floor repair kits.

Replacing sections of engineered wood floor

Your last option to deal with damage is to replace the plank. If you’ve got a click-system wood floor, you can lift a damaged plank right out, even one in the middle of your floor. Once it’s out, you can match a new plank and install it, no one will ever notice the repair and you will still have your wonderful floor.

If you want the traditional floor board look, with more energy efficiency and more durability than laminate, engineered wood is a great choice, read our buying guide to wood flooring and start planning your flooring. When you are ready book an in-home consultation to help you decide what’s right for you.

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