DEEP DIVE

E-Planks Wood Grades

When selecting options for engineered wood, another factor is the wood grade. This refers to the quality of the wood surface, which is categorized based on the size and number of knots, the amount of sap present, color variations, and any other imperfections you may find. The widely accepted grading system of timber is by letters: AB, ABC, ABCD, and CD grade.

AB (Prime Grade)

The highest grade available, prime grade timber displays a uniform and natural look. It contains very few knots, if any. If they appear, they are minimal in size. Moreover, there is barely any color variation and it is without wood sap.

Highest grade available
Uniform and clean look
No knots

ABC (Select Grade)

Select grade timber is the main alternative to prime grade. This type of flooring is usually a mix of prime grade planks together with planks that have larger knots no more than 20mm in size. This grade also has 10% wood sap at most and slightly more color variation.

Main alternative to prime grade
Slight inconsistencies in wood tone and color
Very few knots

ABCD (Natural Grade)

As its name suggests, natural grade timber, also known as mill run timber, exhibits the natural appearance of wood. It contains more knots than prime and select grades, which may be up to 30mm in size, as well as more sapwood.

Made from different grades of wood
Natural wood look
May contain large knots and significant color variation

CD (Rustic Grade)

Rustic grade is the lowest grade available. There is no limit to the number of knots, reaching up to 35mm, and maximum color variation is accepted. Considering this description, rustic grade timber is suitable for projects requiring a truly natural look.

Contains all the natural characteristics of wood
Large knots
Dramatic color variation

E-Planks vs Solid-wood

E-Planks vs
Solid-wood

Engineered wood has risen in popularity in recent times as an alternative to solid-wood thanks to its natural wood appearance and cost-efficient price point. Let’s explore how E-Planks stacks up against this popular flooring option.

	E-Planks	Solid-Wood
Appearance	Real hardwood surface	Real hardwood surface
Heat & Water Resistance	Water-resistant. Less prone to warping and swelling	Not recommended for humid or wet areas; prone to warping
Installation	Glued-down, tongue-and-groove. Professional installers are recommended.	Nailed to the subfloor with joist support underneath. Higher labor costs. Professional installers are required.
Cost	Cost-efficient	More expensive
Maintenance	Surface can be swept and vacuumed. Can be sanded at least once.	Surface can be swept and vacuumed. Can be sanded multiple times

Types of Engineered Wood Floors

3-ply engineered wood

The 3-ply engineered wood is made of three separate layers of wood – the top layer, core layer, and base layer – that run in different directions.

Because the middle layer only comprises a single block of wood, the 3-ply is more prone to warping due to elements like flooding, swings in humidity, and changes in temperature
The tongue-and-groove profile is also more fragile, making this type only suitable for areas that will not be under too much stress and for boards with a width up to 200mm only.

Multi-ply engineered wood

Unlike the 3-ply which is only made of a single block of wood, the core layer of the multi-ply is composed of several thin layers pressed together.

These layers are positioned such that the grains are moving in different directions to properly distribute stress and reduce warping
Due to the extra strength provided by the multiple layers, this type is recommended for boards up to 350mm width.

Recommendation

Since these are the two most common types of engineered wood floors, asking which type to choose is a common question. It all boils down to three main factors:

Cost.

Overall, 3-ply engineered wood is cheaper because its core is only made of a single wood block. This type of construction is simpler and consumes less effort. In general, they are around 20% cheaper than the multiply type.

Working conditions.

Take note of conditions in the interior of your project, especially the moisture content. Choosing a multi-ply board reduces risk of damage from moisture and changes in temperature.

Ease of fitting.

Being made from a single wood block, the tongue of a 3-ply wood plank is more fragile, rough, and uneven. Multi-ply engineered wood is easier to lay out because the core is sanded regularly across the rest of the board.

We highly recommend choosing the multi-ply engineered wood, the type that all our products utilize, to ensure the stability and durability of your flooring. While 3-ply may be cheaper, choosing a flooring that you know will last is key in designing your perfect project!

Which Areas are Suitable for Engineered Wood

The main strength of engineered wood is that it can be installed in any area where solid-wood is suitable. You can use it on the main areas of your home such as the living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen, and hallways to achieve a warm, natural look. Although engineered wood is slightly more resistant to moisture and temperature changes than solid-wood, we still recommend against using it on moisture-prone areas like your bathroom and laundry room. Even the most stable engineered wood may be damaged when exposed to moisture.

Recommended	Not Recommended
Living room	Bathroom
Dining room	Laundry room
Bedroom	Utility room
Dry Kitchen	Wet kitchen
Hallway	Outdoor