How Do Australian and European Oak Engineered Flooring Differ?
People built homes using oak hardwood flooring for hundreds of years. And there’s a reason for that. Oak floors are the most popular wood floors. They are affordable and durable. It makes every room in the house look elegant.
Over the past decades, people have chosen more sustainable living. As a result, it created engineered hardwood floors. Now, Australian Oak Flooring and European Oak Engineered Flooring have become one of the most popular flooring options.
But what makes them better?
What are Engineered Australian Oak Flooring and European Oak Hardwood? What is the difference between the two?
How are they sustainable?
Before we proceed, let’s learn what engineered floorboards are.
Engineered oak floorboard is a mix of hardwood and layers of plywood. The top layer is the hard wearing surface. It provides the aesthetic of a solid oak floorboard. The layers of plywood below keeps the floorboards from expanding and shrinking. Together, it results in affordable and durable floorboards.
Here are some differences between Australian Oak Flooring and European Oak Engineered Flooring:
Source
Australian oak hardwood comes from the state of Victoria. They are made up of layers of hardwood that provide stable and lasting floorboards. This product is beautifully engineered. It provides an aesthetic appeal to your living space that is uniquely Australian.
European oak is sometimes called white oak. European oak timber is quite different from white oak from other countries. Most European wood floors come from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
Features
Australian oak is made from eucalyptus. It has fewer knots than European oak. The lesser knots provide more character in the form of natural gum vein. It forms characteristics that can be used to grade an Australian wood floor.
Generally, European white oak flooring has a darker tone. It is often compared to burnt honey. European oak hardwood flooring often has a more uniform look because they are more evenly colored.
The European Oak Flooring exhibits natural hues of yellow, light brown, and dark oak grain. The elegance of this European oak compliments both contemporary and traditional interiors. It demonstrates warmth and timeless beauty in any home or workplace.
Like European walnut flooring, European oak hardwood flooring has an expensive look. It provides a comfortable living space and has a quality feel to it.
Construction
The wear layer of Australian floorboards is all hardwood. In most cases, the underlayer of engineered floorboards is made of birch and eucalyptus. Australian flooring is made of hardwood substrate, making it balanced, stronger, and last longer.
Australian hardwood floors have a 2mm or 4mm wear layer. The substrate is a 7-ply board for increased stability and durability.
The European oak engineered hardwood is constructed from marine-grade Baltic Birch plywood. It has an oak wear layer stacked on top. A cross-layer of substrate ply under helps reduce the contraction and expansion.
The engineered floor has a wear layer that ranges from 4mm to 6mm.
Conclusion
Sustainability lies in the amount of hardwood needed in each floorboard. Engineered hardwood floors need less hardwood per floorboard.
European and Australian oak floors are designed to keep up with the developing world while preserving the beauty of your home.
Between the two, the European wood floors exhibit a high-end feel to the living space. Choosing Australian oak flooring offers a unique quality. Something that no oak floors from the rest of the world can offer.
It is important to be well-informed before picking the right floors for you. The same is true when looking for flooring experts. Oslek Flooring gives expert opinion and flooring services in Melbourne or Sydney. You can contact them if you have any questions.
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