When you’re in the market for wooden flooring—be it for your home, office, or any other setting—a vital consideration is the thickness of the material, measured in millimetres (mm). This blog post aims to shed light on the available thickness options for both solid and engineered wooden flooring.
Solid vs Engineered Wooden Flooring
Before diving into the specifics of thickness, it’s crucial to understand the two primary types of wooden flooring: solid and engineered. Knowing the differences between them is essential for making an informed decision on thickness.
Solid wooden flooring is crafted from 100% natural hardwood, typically featuring common hardwoods such as oak and walnut. However, for a premium, you can also find more exotic varieties. On the other hand, engineered wooden flooring comprises a top layer made from the same hardwood species. The core and backing, however, consist of man-made synthetic materials and softwood. Although visually indistinguishable when installed, the variation in their composition leads to differences in available thicknesses. Engineered wooden flooring can be thinner since it doesn’t rely solely on hardwood for structural integrity.
Solid Wooden Flooring Thickness in mm
Solid wooden flooring is generally available in thicknesses ranging from 15mm to 20mm. While thinner or thicker options may look identical once installed, their lifespan can differ significantly. One of the advantages of opting for wooden flooring is the ability to sand and recoat the surface. This procedure, requiring the removal of a 1mm layer of wood, eliminates surface flaws such as stains and scratches. The thicker the floorboard, the more often this process can be repeated. Additionally, thicker boards can more effectively mask subfloor imperfections.
Engineered Wooden Flooring Thickness in mm
As mentioned earlier, engineered wooden flooring incorporates a ‘wear layer’ of real wood, which varies in thickness from 2mm to 6mm. The remainder of the board is composed of 8 to 12 layers of MDF, ply and softwood. Because of this composition, engineered floorboards can range in thickness from 10mm to 22mm.
For engineered wooden flooring, you’ll often encounter two measurements, such as 15/4mm. Here, the first number (15mm) represents the total thickness of the floor, while the second (4mm) indicates the thickness of the real wood top layer.
Just like solid wooden flooring, engineered types can also be sanded and recoated. The number of times this can be done depends on the thickness of the top real wood layer. For example, a 10mm thick engineered board with a 2mm real wood layer can be sanded only once, whereas a 15mm board with a 4mm layer can be sanded up to three times.
In Conclusion
The thickness of wooden flooring in mm varies depending on the type. Solid wooden flooring ranges from 15mm to 20mm in thickness, while engineered wooden flooring spans from 10mm to 22mm. The cost of the floorboard is generally influenced by its thickness (in the case of solid wooden flooring) or by the extent of real wood used (in the case of engineered wooden flooring). Whether you choose thick or thin boards, it won’t affect the aesthetics, but it will certainly impact the lifespan of your flooring.
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FAQ
What are the primary types of wooden flooring?
There are two main categories of wooden flooring: solid and engineered. Solid wooden flooring consists entirely of natural hardwood, such as oak or walnut, while engineered wooden flooring has a top layer of the same hardwood species but also includes a core and backing made from synthetic materials and softwood.
How thick is solid wooden flooring usually?
Solid wooden flooring generally comes in a thickness range between 15mm and 20mm. The thickness you choose can have implications for the flooring’s lifespan and its ability to mask imperfections in the subfloor.
What about the thickness of engineered wooden flooring?
Engineered wooden flooring can be as thin as 10mm and as thick as 22mm. The top ‘wear layer’ of real wood in engineered flooring varies from 2mm to 6mm.
Can both types of wooden flooring be sanded and recoated?
Yes, both solid and engineered wooden floors can be sanded and recoated to remove surface blemishes. However, the number of times this process can be repeated depends on the thickness of the flooring or, in the case of engineered flooring, the thickness of the top real wood layer.
Does the thickness of wooden flooring affect its cost?
Yes, the cost is influenced by the thickness of the board. In the case of solid wooden flooring, thicker boards are generally more expensive. For engineered wooden flooring, the cost is influenced by the extent of real wood used in the top layer.