The Art of Technology
Architects, designers and consumers choose hardwood for its warmth and natural beauty, but also for its versatility. From basements to high-rise condominiums, wood flooring is being seen and used in spaces that were historically the domain of non-wood materials.
Versatility of design, from the bold striping of tigerwood, to the depth of Brazilian cherry, to the rich beauty of teak, gives unlimited opportunities to change the look and feel of a space. Manufacturers are inventing more ways than ever to cut, bake, dye or distress woods because of consumer preference for new color schemes, textures or longer and wider planks.
The innovations in manufacturing wood flooring have led to the rapid growth of engineered floors. Just a quick look into this product segment highlights how far flooring has developed as functional art.
Engineered floors are constructed of three or more thin sheets or "plies" of wood cross-laminated together to form a single stable plank. Each plank is made like a sandwich with stable cores providing the foundation and the beautiful, showpiece exotic woods as the top surface. Because of the multi-layered construction process, engineered exotic wood floors are prized for applications that have temperature and moisture variations – whether above, on and below grade, or as a floating floor or glued down.
Unlimited versatility with construction and styling means that while beauty is in the eye of the beholder, whatever the eye wants to see, flooring manufacturers can provide.
Below: The Touchstone project (story on right) features a top layer of select grade African Doussie over multiple layers of marine birch for support.
Frequently asked questions
What is engineered wood flooring made of?+
Engineered floors are constructed of three or more thin sheets or plies of wood cross-laminated together to form a single stable plank. Each plank is built like a sandwich, with stable cores providing the foundation and exotic woods forming the top showpiece surface.
Why is engineered exotic wood flooring suited for areas with temperature and moisture variations?+
Because of its multi-layered, cross-laminated construction, engineered exotic wood flooring is prized for applications with temperature and moisture variations. It can be used above, on, or below grade, and installed as a floating floor or glued down.
What wood species were used in the Touchstone project?+
The Touchstone project features a top layer of select grade African Doussie over multiple layers of marine birch for support.
Why are architects and designers choosing hardwood flooring for non-traditional spaces?+
Architects, designers and consumers choose hardwood for its warmth, natural beauty, and versatility. As a result, wood flooring is now being used in spaces historically dominated by non-wood materials, from basements to high-rise condominiums.
What design options are available in exotic hardwood flooring?+
Design options range from the bold striping of tigerwood, to the depth of Brazilian cherry, to the rich beauty of teak. Manufacturers are also cutting, baking, dyeing, and distressing woods to produce new color schemes, textures, and longer, wider planks.
What is driving the rapid growth of engineered wood floors?+
Innovations in manufacturing have driven the rapid growth of engineered floors. Consumer preference for new color schemes, textures, and longer, wider planks, combined with the product's versatility in construction and styling, has fueled its expansion.