Rating of the best manufacturers of engineering board for 2024

Engineered board (ID or engineered flooring) is a popular material used for flooring. At its base there is an ordinary plywood or wood chip board, and the surface layer is made of veneer. Usually, durable and valuable types of wood are used for this. The materials in the composition of such a floor cloth have the following standard proportions: 75% or less - plywood, 25% or more - valuable wood. The main sign of the quality and durability of the canvas in question is the thickness of its outer layer, which should be at least 2 millimeters. All of the material layers are compressed and glued together, so the structure of the board is not damaged even under conditions of excessive use. In terms of its popularity, an engineering board approaches parquet, surpassing the latter in durability and strength, but losing to parquet in the stability of the structure itself. At the same time, the price of a parquet board is slightly lower than that of an engineering board. However, most buyers agree that ID is worth the money.

Pros and cons of engineering canvas

Most of the ID samples on the market today have the following average indicators (for an individual element, that is, roughly speaking, for each board):

• Thickness - from 15 to 25 mm;
• Length - from 500 to 3000 mm;
• Width - from 110 to 450 mm.

The following qualities undoubtedly can be attributed to the positive qualities of the engineering board:

• Engineering cloth is a material glued from several layers, which means that it is less susceptible to mechanical deformation. It also has the highest geometric stability.
• It is possible to lay the ID directly on the concrete, and no additional plywood is required as a base. The main thing is that the concrete is even and has increased waterproofing. The versatility of the ID also lies in the fact that it can be laid directly on top of the "warm floor".
• The engineering canvas is durable, it can be varnished and sanded several times. However, for the production of re-processing, the top layer of the ID must initially be greater than the minimum by 2 millimeters (i.e. at least 4 mm).
• The material in question is characterized by resistance to external influences: the percentage of the likelihood of cracking / drying out is much less than that of parquet.
• The installation process is extremely easy - a sleeve-groove connection (thorn-groove) is used.
• The design range is very large - veneer can be “aged” for a retro style, brushed (painted) for a classic one, tinted in light gray colors for a “hi-tech”.
• Engineered flooring is also famous for its environmental friendliness and high level of noise and thermal insulation.

The engineering board has few drawbacks, and they are of a purely repair and technical nature:

• Separate elements of the coating are difficult to repair, the entire board is difficult to re-install;
• The high cost of the canvas itself;
• Each batch is painted individually, so it can be difficult to choose a replacement for repair from a similar one and get into a color tone;
• Markets are overflowing with substandard counterfeits;
• Floating installation is not possible.

Manufacturing technologies and main characteristics of ID

Initial drying of wood

This stage is extremely time-consuming and directly affects the quality of the material, so responsible manufacturers spend a fair amount of time on it:

• Blanks made from felled wood are laid out for drying only in open space;
• During air drying, the wood gradually rejects moisture, drying evenly along its entire length;
• Upon completion of natural drying, the workpieces are transferred to the drying chamber, where they are brought to the desired moisture level of 8% (plus / minus 1%).

IMPORTANT! Unscrupulous manufacturers prefer to dry the wood "in a hurry" and almost immediately send it to the drying chambers. But such quick drying has a very negative effect on the final quality of the board - the material instantly loses its main property - its strength. Properly seasoned wood absorbs mechanical pressure better and is less prone to delamination.

Main production stage

By the number of layers, the board can be two or three layers. The first layer is always valuable wood species, and the next one is cheap wood or plywood, which is laid perpendicular to the fibers of the top layer. In the case when a third layer is present in the structure, it is laid parallel to the veneer fibers.

The engineering board production process consists of the following stages:

• Special machines cut lamellas according to specified dimensions, while plywood blanks are simultaneously made;
• By means of a special adhesive, the layers are connected into a single material. With the help of a press, increased adhesion between the layers is achieved and the strength of the workpiece is stabilized;
• On the board ends, connections are cut out in the form of locks (usually a "thorn-groove");
• At the end of the process, the board element is varnished in 5 layers in order to increase the wear resistance. In this process, each manufacturer uses their own wax-based oils or blends.

IMPORTANT! Based on the thickness of the top layer, you can find out how many times the production of the restoration (grinding) of the ID surface is available. It should be remembered here that each such operation will "remove" about 1 mm of the layer.

Dependence of quality on the adhesive base

A high-quality adhesive mixture will reliably hold all layers of the board together, prevent layers from shifting, and compensate for the tension between them. From the point of view of production technology, the adhesive base is the weakest link in the material design. It is believed that the fewer layers of glue in a board, the stronger it is. For example, a standard two-layer board has only 1 adhesive layer. However, do not forget that the plywood used in the structure is already a multilayer material in itself, which means an increased risk of deformation of the entire structure.

The adhesive base used in the ID must comply with environmental requirements and ensure the reliability of adhesion of the layers to each other.It is possible to check the quality of the gluing, but the test will take too long. It consists of the following stages:

1. It is necessary to cut the board into small pieces;
2. Leave them in water for 100-120 hours;
3. Then dry the sliced ​​samples for the same amount of time on the battery;
4. After drying on a battery, dry in the open air for at least 14 days.

The quality of ID is determined by the degree of delamination of the test samples. If they began to delaminate while still in liquid, then even with the help of professional laying, it will not be possible to make a high-quality floor covering from such material (the corners will rise, the upper lamella will peel off, any grinding will expose flaws). Also, this board cannot be coated with paintwork - it will immediately "roll up", and then the layers will simply disperse and peel off. Thus, the above test should be performed in any case when large-scale finishing work is coming.

Protective covering

This coating should only be done in two layers using varnish or oil on hard wax - it will best protect against moisture. The coating can be done independently (if the board is purposefully purchased without protection), however, practice shows that self-processing can be even more expensive than factory processing.

IMPORTANT! Unscrupulous manufacturers can save on protection by applying only a single layer of natural oil, while indicating that the board is protected. If you spill coffee, wine or tea on such a coating and do not immediately wipe it off, then a stain will remain on the surface forever.

There is a special test for checking the protective layer, which will not take too long:

1. A colored liquid (tea, coffee, wine) is specially poured onto a small sample of the board;
2. The sample is left to dry in the natural conditions of a household room at room temperature for 50-60 minutes;
3. At the end of the specified time, the board is wiped dry.

If there are no traces, then the protection is carried out in two layers and with high quality. But the advanced parameters of varnish protection can only be determined by professionals.

Working layer and its thickness

The modern engineering board market can offer the following material options:

• Board based on HDF fibreboard with a working layer less than 2 mm thick. According to European standards, such material does not even belong to the engineering canvas, but is considered only a floor covering. Its reconstruction (grinding) is simply impossible, and if signs of wear or various abrasions appear, the entire floor will have to be dismantled;
• Planks on a layered base from 3 to 6 mm are the most practical and cost-effective option. For example: a 5 mm lamella can withstand at least 4 grinding operations.

IMPORTANT! It is worth remembering that an engineered board floor is usually re-sanded after ten to fifteen years of use. Thus, depending on the intensity of use of the future flooring and the load on it, the top layer should also be selected. Experts advise that using IDs with thicker layers is much more practical than disposable 2 mm.

Selection features

Due to the fact that the engineering coating is far from being a cheap material, it is necessary to approach its choice with all responsibility. First you need to choose the optimal type of board, which is represented on the modern market by the following types:

• "RUSTIC" - it differs in that in the production of the surface layer in the lamellas at the primary stage, a veneer is prepared, which is sawn at various angles. Because of this, some items may differ slightly in texture / color. Also, the manifestation of minor, insignificant defects for operation is not excluded. The cost of these products in the building materials market is minimal. They try to use this ID for small summer cottages and country houses. Due to such simplicity, the material is laid in hallways, in offices, in the foyers of kindergartens and schools.
• "NATUR" - this variety is characterized by an average price / quality ratio. The veneer for it is made using the tangential sawing method, that is, along a tangent line to the fibers. Because of this, it is difficult to detect visually defects on it. Such a coating is suitable for a kitchen, bedroom, living room - in general, for those places where there is no heavy load on the movement of people in shoes. However, it should be noted that this material does not possess any special aesthetics. Its advantages include the fact that it perfectly tolerates sudden changes in temperature.
• SELECT - samples of the elite level, in the same batch it is difficult to find different elements in color / texture. This is all due to the fact that they are produced in the so-called radial way, which means cutting along the fibers. This variety is very expensive, characterized by special durability, it is usually laid in large city apartments, management offices, conference rooms. The top layer of the SELECT grade cannot be less than 3 mm, which indicates at least two possible restorations.

General overview of engineered boards made from popular precious wood species

Oak

Oak is used in luxury coatings and it is in sufficient demand among customers. A standard board made of it has two layers, which are glued perpendicularly, which indicates the additional strength of the entire material as a whole. The same factor significantly reduces the risk of mechanical damage, and is also the key to successfully resisting humidity and temperature extremes.

The main advantages of an oak surface include:

• Possibility of using in premises of various types, as well as installation directly on the "warm floor" system;
• Long service life - from 20 years;
• Excellent sound insulation properties, does not emit extraneous sounds and squeaks when walking;
• Thermal resistance - traps cold emanating from the concrete floor base;
• Does not require frequent refurbishment and scraping;
• Easy to clean and does not absorb dirt.

In the design field, ID made of white tinted oak is especially popular - it is often used in the design of modern minimalist styles, for example, "high-tech". However, there are dark variations on the market for the classics - dark brown or dark gray shades. These materials create an excellent contrast when the ceiling is painted in lighter colors. Brands of Western Europe are considered the leaders in the production of oak-based IDs.

American walnut

This type of wood attracts a potential buyer with its wide color palette. At the same time, the walnut is considered a very, very reliable tree, which indicates high performance. Professionals distinguish the following positive properties from American walnut:

• Perfectly fits both on a rough concrete floor and on top of the "warm floor" system;
• Over time, the surface will acquire a rich and deep color;
• Before laying, the material almost does not require facing, fitting and sanding;
• It is ideally used in rooms with high traffic load and high humidity;
• Does not fade when exposed to direct sunlight;
• It has optimal bending performance and is resistant to mechanical stress;
• Internal stress is virtually eliminated by properly balancing the structure.

The designers note that the American walnut floor looks extremely presentable and unusual. The walnut gives out a very original pattern, peculiar only to him. If high-temperature oven drying was used during the manufacturing process, then the board may have a special purple-brown color with some admixture of a shade of crimson and with dark veins.

Ash

Ash is one of the most popular wood species for floor decoration purposes. This breed is distinguished by its high strength and hardness; such lamellas should be used in rooms with high traffic intensity.To other advantages of ash, experts include:

• Harmonious geometry of the pattern, which can visually increase the area of ​​the room;
• Outwardly, it is similar to more expensive types of wood;
• It has low thermal conductivity, which means it does not require a special substrate as a heater;
• The flooring itself is very practical, you can restore both in parts and the entire area.

In the design environment, white ash with sandy yellow, gray or pink-beige tint is especially popular. In general, its color scheme gives a wide field for design experiments. This plank coating looks very good on large areas of city apartments - they are often decorated with living rooms and bedrooms.

Rating of the best manufacturers of engineering board for 2024

Foreign brands

3rd place: "Coswick"

An excellent sample from a Canadian manufacturer, in the production of which innovative technologies of the protective layer are applied. Now this layer is also a decorative element. Additionally, UV protection is implemented. Has an aesthetic appearance.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Canada
Wood species	ash
Base color	Dark brown
Effect	Coloration
Coating	oil
Number of stripes	1
The presence of a chamfer	In stock
Underfloor heating installation	Not possible
Surface layer thickness, mm	4
Cost, rubles	6100

• Nice appearance;
• Original painting technique;
• Durability.

• Insufficient resistance to high humidity (stratification).

2nd place: "Wood Bee"

The canvas from the Dutch manufacturer has three layers, which means an increased level of quality. The protective coating is made using as many as seven layers of paintwork materials, which means special resistance to ultraviolet radiation and mechanical stress. Although the manufacturer does not provide a guarantee, the average life of the coating is 15 years with two possible restorations.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Netherlands
Wood species	oak
Base color	Beige and gold
Effect	Coloration
Coating	Oil and varnish
Number of stripes	1
The presence of a chamfer	In stock
Underfloor heating installation	Available
Surface layer thickness, mm	3
Cost, rubles	3500

• Good price / quality ratio;
• A wide range of colors;
• Possibility of installation on a "warm floor".

• Not found (for its segment).

1st place: "Marco Ferutti"

It is positioned as an exclusive solution for design use. It is distinguished by a stable and durable base, a powerful outer wear layer. Only exotic wood varieties are used for it. The brand is the official supplier of the Italian Parliament.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Italy
Wood species	Nut
Base color	Dark brown
Effect	Coloration
Coating	UV varnish
Number of stripes	1
The presence of a chamfer	In stock
Underfloor heating installation	Not possible
Surface layer thickness, mm	2
Cost, rubles	5900

• Affordable price;
• UV protection;
• Long structural members.

• Impossibility of restoration (thin top layer).

Domestic brands

IMPORTANT! At present, there are very few fully Russian firms engaged in the production of ID and which can compete with Western companies. It is worth noting that it is Russian small firms that can produce low-quality products (along with Asian brands). Basically, all high-quality Russian production is just joint ventures with Western manufacturers operating in the Russian Federation under the license of the parent company.

3rd place: "Boen"

Initially, this Norwegian company entered the Baltic market, and then it entered the Russian market - currently, there is a plant for the production of ID near St. Petersburg in the Russian Federation. The products are of high quality and belong to the premium class.As a result of careful selection of the material for the top layer, the coating has an even and beautiful pattern.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia (under Norwegian license)
Wood species	Oak
Base color	Pastel brown
Effect	Coloration
Coating	Waxed oil
Number of stripes	1
The presence of a chamfer	In stock
Underfloor heating installation	Not possible
Surface layer thickness, mm	3.5
Cost, rubles	9100

• Ease of repair;
• Wide assortment range;
• Smooth drawing.

• High price;
• The oil coating requires frequent renewal.

2nd place: "Goodwin"

A relatively new Russian-German conglomerate (founded in 2017) that produces low-cost engineering coating options. At the same time, its reliability and good quality are noted. Ash is mainly used for the outer layer, which will emphasize the massiveness of the floor. The canvas will have increased impact resistance, successfully resist moisture.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia (under a German license)
Wood species	Ash
Base color	Light brown
Effect	Matt
Coating	Oil
Number of stripes	1
The presence of a chamfer	In stock
Underfloor heating installation	Not possible
Surface layer thickness, mm	4
Cost, rubles	3600

• The use of birch plywood has reduced the price;
• Large thickness of the top layer;
• There is no particular shade difference in one batch.

• Not found.

1st place: "Greenline"

Probably the only completely Russian firm that can compete with the West. She has developed her own production technology focused on expensive wood species. Buyers note that at a modest price, the quality of the flooring is not inferior to foreign samples.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Wood species	Oak
Base color	Dark brown with gray tint
Effect	Brushing
Coating	Varnish
Number of stripes	1
The presence of a chamfer	In stock
Underfloor heating installation	Not possible
Surface layer thickness, mm	3.6
Cost, rubles	4100

• Resistance to mechanical stress;
• High-quality plywood base;
• Durable top layer.

• Works only with expensive wood.

Instead of an epilogue

It is better to purchase engineering coating, of course, in retail chains, because manually checking the quality when buying via the Internet will not work. Yes, in fact, there is no special need for this: the difference in price between retail and the Internet is small due to the general high cost of the material. At the same time, if the buyer is aiming for large volumes of purchases, then it is imperative to conduct the quality tests given in the article to determine the positive properties of the future floor.