Teak Engineered Flooring

Teak is one of the most beautiful species of hardwood. It has a janka rating of 1000 and above. Its rich hews have made teakwood a favorite for luxury floor construction. Teakwood is permeated with teakwood oil. The oil protects the wood from pests and ensures its longevity. Indeed teak used in the construction of the ‘Titanic’ has remained in excellent condition after more than half a century of immersion in sea water!

Teak or Tectona grandis is commonly found in South East Asian countries like Burma, Cambodia, Thailand etc. Teak from some countries cannot be imported to United States. Other countries require that teak be converted to value added flooring products before shipping. Naturally, teak is not as abundant as wood flooring enthusiasts would like it to be.

Engineered Teak Wood

• Engineered teak wood offers a way out of the scarcity of teak.
• The base and the core of an engineered teak wood plank or strip flooring are made of wood species other than teak that grow rapidly and are easily replenished. The lower layers ensure that the floor is not as expensive as a solid teak wood floor.
• The top most layer is made of a thin slice of premium teak wood. The topmost layer also called the wear layer imparts the look and feel of natural teak to the floor.
• Engineered teak wood can be installed on grade, above grade and even below grade. A solid wood floor on the other hand, is not suited for below grade installation.
• Installation of an engineered teak wood floor is a breeze with its click and lock system.
• Engineered floors are made of layers of wood with the grain in successive layers oriented in opposite directions. This reduces expansion and contraction of the floor with changes in temperatures and humidity levels. Expansion and contraction of an engineered wood floor is less than a sixth of a solid wood floor. Teak wood which is resistant to moisture and temperature changes helps engineered wood perform even better.

Appearance of Engineered Teak Wood

Unlike vinyl and linoleum floors, engineered teak wood is indistinguishable from solid teak wood. This is because the upper layer is made of high quality teak wood. Vinyl and linoleum on the other hand have only an image of teak on top.

Refinishing Engineered Teak Wood

A common complaint against engineered wood floors is that it cannot be refinished as often as a solid wood floor. The answer is that refinishing is required for badly damaged floors. With modern penetrating finishes a wood floor is much tougher. Coupled with careful maintenance, the need to refinish is largely obviated.

If the need to refinish does arise, a teak wood floor can be easily re-sanded and refinished like a solid wood floor. Placing door mats at entry points, quickly wiping liquid spills, placing scratch pads for pets – simple precautions help enhance the life of an engineered wood floor.

Teak is a popular wood for sculptures and furniture. Thanks to the teak wood oil impregnating it, teak wood is more moisture resistant than other wood species. Teak wood floors in a room go well with white or other light colored furniture and drapes. Teak has a timeless appeal that is now within reach due to the lower cost of ownership of engineered teak wood floor.

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