What is a three-layer engineering board and how to install it

When choosing a floor covering for a home, people first of all pay attention to practical, durable and beautiful materials. Now there is a large selection of materials that are used to finish flooring, but new ones with higher characteristics are constantly appearing. One of the modern floor coverings is a two- and three-layer engineering board. This is an environmentally friendly product that has high heat and sound insulation characteristics, so the house maintains an optimal microclimate. Externally, such a board does not differ from a massive or parquet board, but due to its multilayer structure, it retains its dimensions in a wider range of humidity and temperature differences.

What is a three-layer engineering board for?

By its structure, a board of this type resembles piece parquet. Due to the multilayer structure and special technology of joining the layers, the material acquires properties that distinguish it favorably against the background of other floor coverings.

This material is one of the most durable floor coverings, which explains its great popularity. A three-layer board is commonly used for flooring in living rooms. It can be laid on the underfloor heating system, but only on water structures. It can be installed indoors above or below ground level.

The multilayer structure of the engineering board compares favorably with other floor materials

Typically, the individual elements are connected to each other by a thorn-groove system, which ensures quick installation. The technology of laying a three-layer engineering board reminds laminate installation using glue.

A feature of the three-layer is that it can be used where a massive board cannot be used. It can be stacked in intermittently heated rooms, since without changing its parameters, it freely withstands moisture and temperature changes within 10-15%.

Technical description, structure and material

The board consists of the following layers:

1. The first layer is the basis of the material. To create it, multilayer birch plywood of higher grades is usually used, since it has high moisture resistance indicators. Depending on the manufacturer, the thickness of this layer is between 6–16 mm, but in some cases it may be more. It is on this layer that the castle connection is made.
2. Middle layer. It provides higher strength and reliability. For its creation, coniferous wood, which is perpendicular to two other layers, is most often used.
3. Front layer. For its manufacture, valuable wood species are used, it can be maple, beech, oak, ash. The thickness of this layer ranges from 2.5 to 7 mm. The thicker it is, the greater the wear resistance of the board.

The thicker the face layer, the more times you can restore such a coating

Depending on the thickness of the front layer, how many times it is possible to restore the material, it must be taken into account that about 1 mm of coating is removed at a time.

The size range will be significantly wider than that of similar in appearance flooring. The parameters of the engineering board are as follows:

• the length can be within 0.5 -3 m, it is possible to make boards 6 meters long, but this complicates the process of material delivery;
• width within 10–45 cm, but the most commonly used engineering board is 15–30 cm wide;
• the thickness depends on the thickness of the layers and usually within 12–25 mm.

The width and length of the engineering board may be greater than massive because large and thick trees are few

Depending on which wood the face layer is made of, the color and structure of the material depend. In order to further emphasize the structure of the tree and increase the wear resistance of the surface, varnish or wax and oil compositions are used as a topcoat. Some manufacturers, in order to achieve an interesting decorative effect, carry out scraping or firing of the front layer.

Most often, boards of a standard rectangular shape are made. If necessary, it is possible to make curvilinear elements with the help of which an original and unique flooring is obtained.

Curved elements allow you to create original solutions

This is a modern material, the production process of which consists of the following stages:

1. From the selected wood on special machines, lamellas of a given thickness are cut.
2. Plywood is being prepared in the required sizes.
3. Using special glue, all layers of the engineering board are combined into a single structure. Everything happens under the influence of the press, which ensures high adhesion of the layers and stable geometric parameters of the boards.
   

   The equipment used to make the engineering board allows you to create elements up to 6 m long
4. At the ends of the elements make a castle connection, the most common version of the "thorn-groove", but there may be others.
5. Topcoat. Most often, the engineering board is varnished to get a high-quality surface, the number of its layers should be at least five. In addition to varnish, elements can be coated with wax formulations or special oils.

For the manufacture of the front layer, wood is sawn in various ways:

• at different angles - a rustic way to cut;
• tangential to the thickness of the barrel - tangential method;
• along the fibers - a radial method of cutting.

After that, the resulting material is distributed according to the cutting method and according to the presence of various defects, the texture and color are also taken into account.

There are such varieties of engineering board:

1. Variety Rustic. For the top layer of such material, a tree obtained in a rustic way is used. Such an engineering board may have a different texture and color, as well as minor defects. It has a low cost, it looks natural, therefore it is most popular.
   

   Rustik engineering board has the lowest cost
2. Variety "Natur". For its manufacture, lamellas obtained by radial and tangential sawing are used. Here the differences in color and texture are minimal and there are practically no defects. This material belongs to the middle price category.
   

   Engineering board "Natur" is obtained as a result of radial or tangential cut
3. Variety "Select". For the manufacture of such material, lamellas obtained by radial cut are used. Their color and texture match perfectly, and there are no defects. The cost of such material is maximum.
   

   Engineering board "Select" is the highest quality and most expensive material

To ensure stable dimensions and compensate for emerging stresses, some manufacturers make numerous cuts on the bottom of the engineering board.

Video: engineering board manufacturing

Advantages and disadvantages of using

Before deciding to purchase and install a three-layer engineering board, you first need to familiarize yourself with its advantages in front of other floor coverings and find out if she has flaws.

Benefits:

1. Variety of sizes. The presence of a large number of sizes of engineering boards allows you to create a floor covering with a minimum number of joints. This not only decorates the appearance of the floor, but also speeds up the installation of the specified material.
   

   A large selection of sizes allows the economical use of the engineering board and when laying it, a minimum of waste is obtained
2. It fits equally well on different types of substrates, therefore it is a universal material.
3. Since the layers of fibers are multidirectional, a stable structure of the board is ensured. Such material is devoid of internal stresses, it does not deform due to changes in humidity and temperature, and cracks do not appear on it, as is the case with a natural board.
4. The exact linear dimensions and the presence of special locks allow you to install elements simply and quickly.
5. The presence of the front layer with a thickness of up to 7-10 mm allows several times the restoration of the surface, which significantly increases the service life of the floor covering.
6. All components of which the engineering board is made are natural.
7. Purchased boards do not need to be further processed, varnished, sanded, trimmed and sized. This saves not only time, but also money.

In order to change the interior of a room with a floor covered with an engineering board, it is enough to polish the surface and with the help of varnish, oil or a wax composition, change its tonality.

Like any other material, a three-layer engineering board has a number of disadvantages that must be taken into account when choosing it as a floor covering:

• boards of poor quality may have a different color scheme, so they must be selected very carefully, for a large room you can use boards with different textures;
• although the cost of an engineering board is less than that of a massive one, but it is still quite high;
• if the material was mounted without glue, then after a while it can be deformed, and the coating fixed with glue cannot be disassembled and laid again;
  

  If the engineering board is laid on glue, then it will not work to remove it and reinstall it
• a lot of fakes and low-quality goods, so when buying it, you must be very careful.

Table: Comparison of the characteristics of the most popular flooring.

Which is better: two- or three-layer engineering board

A three-layer board has more stable dimensions, it is not afraid of moisture and can be laid on a warm floor. If the two-layer width is up to 150 mm, then a three-layer board can have a width of up to 240 mm.

The two-layer engineering board has only the top and bottom layers

The presence of a middle layer in a three-layer board allows you to obtain higher strength material, but its cost will be higher than the two-layer version. For an apartment, in terms of price - quality, a two-layer board is more suitable, but if the room has a lot of traffic, it is better to give preference to a three-layer board.

A three-layer engineering board is better, but also more expensive than a two-layer version

Video: how to choose the right engineering board

Mounting Methods

A three-layer engineering board is most often mounted on a concrete base, plywood or OSB, but can also be laid in a floating way.

Laying on plywood

This is the most common way to install an engineering board, it is used by both professionals and beginners. Experts recommend making a preliminary layout on paper, this is especially important when curved elements are mounted. This allows you to place the boards most efficiently, so that a minimal waste of materials is obtained. The laying of the engineering board is started after the ceiling and walls are finished, all the garbage is removed from the floor.

The sequence of work:

1. Level the base, then primer the concrete screed.
2. Sheets of plywood or OSB are laid on the floor, usually their thickness is 12 mm. Fixing plywood can be done with glue or dowels.
   

   When installing plywood, it can be fixed with glue or dowels
3. If the installation is carried out using glue, then the place of laying the boards is covered with a polyurethane compound. If the board has a spike, then to the base it can be fixed with nails or small screws.
   

   An engineering board is attached to plywood with glue or nails.
4. On the finished base lay engineering boards and perform their fixation.
5. Using the baseboard, close the gap between the wall and the floor.

Concrete laying

This is a more economical installation method, it consists of the following steps:

1. Pour in high-quality concrete screedwhich should be even and dry. It is allowed to lay an engineering board on a screed, the moisture content of which does not exceed 2%.
   

   The concrete screed should be even and dry.
2. A layer of polyurethane adhesive is applied to the screed.
3. Lay out and fix the elements of the flooring. To press the boards you need to use weights.
   

   The engineering board is fixed on the concrete floor with polyurethane adhesive
4. After laying, it is necessary to wait 4-5 days for the glue to completely harden and fix the boards well.

Floating way

With a Click lock, the engineering board can be stacked in a floating manner. A feature of this installation method is that the base must have a perfectly flat surface. Under the engineering board, be sure to lay the substrate.

The order of work will be as follows:

1. Level surface. Height differences can be no more than 2 mm per 2 meters in length. It is possible to level the floor with plywood or make an even concrete screed.
2. Lay the substrate. It can be layered, coniferous or cork.
   

   Cork backing allows you to improve the heat and sound insulating qualities of the floor and eliminate small bumps
3. Mount the engineering board. On the first element, a spike is cut from the side that is located against the wall. The second element is brought to the first at an angle of 45 degrees? as when installing the laminate and snap the lock. Thus, all elements are stacked.
   

   Flooring an engineering board is only possible with a Click lock
4. Install the skirting board.

Installation of an engineering board by a floating method is quite quick. It is also possible, if necessary, to dismantle the floor covering and lay it again.

Video: installation of a curved engineering board

Having studied the laying technology of an engineering three-layer board and choosing the installation method, you can deal with its laying on your own. Such a flooring looks no different from a massive board, and in terms of characteristics, surpasses natural wood. A wide range of this material will allow you to choose it for any interior, and properly completed installation will provide the coating with a beautiful and high-quality look and extend its service life. In order for the engineering board to serve for a long time, it is recommended to use air humidifiers during the heating season, periodically polish the surface and install felt or rubberized heels on furniture legs.

Similar entries:

Good Floor Company

Decking: types of "terrace" garden parquet and methods of its installation

What is liquid linoleum