Many flooring shoppers are unaware of the significant cost impact their chosen installation method can have on the overall flooring project. For fitting alone, you’re potentially facing costs of £15 to £25 per m² to have your flooring professionally fitted, much of which is attributable to the fitting method selected. In this guide, we’ll explore the numerous advantages of opting for click fit engineered wood flooring over its glue or nail down counterparts.
What Precisely is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered wood flooring comprises a top layer of real, natural wood, complemented by man-made and artificial materials in its core and backing layer. Because its visible layer is genuine wood, engineered wood provides an authentic appearance that closely mimics solid wood flooring, unmatched by any wood effect alternatives.
The real wood top layer varies in thickness from 2mm to 6mm, with the core and backing layers ranging from 8mm to 16mm, resulting in an overall thickness of 10mm to 22mm. These core and backing layers are typically constructed using materials like plywood, softwood, and MDF.
The appeal of engineered wood flooring lies in its ability to offer the aesthetic of real wood flooring without the limitations associated with solid wood flooring. Solid wood flooring, also known as complete wood flooring, is often unsuitable in many settings due to its natural propensity for expansion under heat (rendering it unsuitable for underfloor heating), susceptibility to water damage (making it a poor choice for wet areas like kitchens), and its higher cost due to the exclusive use of natural wood. Engineered wood flooring, however, mitigates many of these drawbacks, making it a more versatile and widely used option.
What Precisely is the Click Fit?
Click fit flooring planks feature specially designed edges and ends that interlock seamlessly. These edges typically adopt a tongue and groove shape, allowing each piece to fit snugly with its adjacent panel. When pressure is applied, the pieces click into place, forming a smooth, seamless surface.
What Are The Benefits of Click Fit Engineered Wood Flooring?
Merging the benefits of engineered wood flooring with those of the click system culminates in an optimal real wood flooring solution. Below are the primary advantages of click engineered wood flooring:
- Ease of Installation: The click system’s hallmark is its straightforward installation process. The planks or tiles easily snap together, making it considerably simpler and quicker to install than traditional methods. This characteristic is particularly advantageous for DIY enthusiasts or in scenarios necessitating swift installation.
- No Special Tools Required: In contrast to methods requiring nailing or stapling, which necessitate specific tools like nail guns or staplers, click system flooring generally only requires basic tools like a saw for cutting planks to size and a tapping block to secure the joints.
- Less Labour Intensive: Clicking planks together is less labour-intensive compared to the precision needed for nailing or the meticulous application of glue. This makes the process less physically taxing and more expedient.
- Minimal Floor Preparation: Click system flooring can often be laid over existing floors, assuming the surface is level and stable. This minimizes the need for extensive floor preparation, such as removing old flooring or applying adhesive.
- No Drying or Curing Time: Absence of glue means no waiting for drying or curing. The floor is immediately ready for use post-installation, unlike with glue-down methods.
- Easier Repairs and Replacement: Should a section of the flooring incur damage, it’s far simpler to replace planks in a click system than those nailed or glued down. The affected plank can be detached and replaced without disturbing the rest of the floor.
- Reduced Material Damage: Nailing or stapling can occasionally harm the edges of flooring planks. The click system circumvents this risk, safeguarding the integrity of the flooring materials.
- Flexibility and Portability: Being a floating floor, click system flooring isn’t permanently fixed to the subfloor. This allows for natural expansion and contraction in response to environmental changes in temperature and humidity. Additionally, the flooring can be disassembled and relocated if needed.
- Suitable for Various Subfloors: Click system flooring is installable over diverse subfloors, including concrete, plywood, and even pre-existing vinyl or tile floors, as long as the surface is even.
- Compatibility with Underfloor Heating: A significant number of click system flooring options are compatible with underfloor heating systems, a feature not universally available with traditional nailed or glued floors.
Why Choose Click Engineered Wood Flooring
In essence, this flooring type has no downsides. The engineered variant surpasses its solid counterpart in nearly every aspect, and the incorporation of click fit not only reduces fitting costs but also enhances durability.
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Click Fit Engineered Wood Flooring – FAQs
What is Click Fit in Engineered Wood Flooring?
Click fit in engineered wood flooring refers to a unique installation method where flooring planks have specially designed edges and ends, often with a tongue and groove design, allowing them to interlock seamlessly. When pressure is applied, these pieces click together, forming a continuous, smooth surface without the need for nails, glue, or staples.
How Does Click Fit Flooring Reduce Installation Costs?
Click fit flooring significantly reduces installation costs, which can range from £15 to £25 per m² for professional fitting. This cost reduction is due to the simplicity of the click fit method, which requires less labour and time compared to traditional glue or nail down methods.
Why is Click Fit Engineered Wood Flooring Easier to Install?
The ease of installation with click fit engineered wood flooring comes from its design that allows planks to snap together easily. This process is less labour-intensive and faster compared to traditional methods, making it ideal for DIY enthusiasts or situations requiring quick installation.
Can Click Fit Flooring Be Installed Over Existing Floors?
Yes, click fit flooring can often be laid over existing floors, assuming the surface is level and stable. This feature minimises the need for extensive floor preparation, such as removing old flooring or applying adhesive, making the installation process simpler and quicker.
Is Click Fit Flooring Compatible with Underfloor Heating?
Many click fit flooring options are compatible with underfloor heating systems, unlike traditional nailed or glued floors. This compatibility adds to the versatility of click fit engineered wood flooring, making it suitable for a variety of settings.