Can you tell us about your engineered flooring?
At Forté, we pride ourselves in supplying premium engineered timber flooring to our clients. Far superior to solid hardwood, our engineered timber flooring is specifically made for the New Zealand environment, making it stronger and more durable than traditional timber. This means it can withstand the wear and tear of a busy household with children and pets, is less likely to scratch, dent, or warp, and enjoys longevity despite the sometimes-harsh New Zealand climate. Our varied collection suits most budgets and design preferences.
What’s the difference between solid timber and engineered timber?
Engineered wood has a wear layer/veneer of solid hardwood fixed to a multi-layered core of stable timber. This core backing is usually made from multiple layers of more readily available timber, such as plywood, that are glued together.
A solid wood floor on the other hand is 100% solid hardwood, meaning logs are milled and each plank manufactured from one single piece making it considerably more expensive than other flooring.
While there are many advantages of engineered wood over solid hardwood, the main one is engineered timber’s superior stability due to its multi-layered core. Engineered timber flooring is also more sustainable, using approximately one-third of the amount of slow-growing hardwood than solid wood of the same dimensions.
Can underfloor heating be installed under your flooring?
Yes, underfloor heating gets installed 1-2 months before the completion of the build.
Each species of wood differs in thermal properties. The natural properties of timber flooring cause it to retain the warmth and conducts it into the room, optimising the system’s efficiency. Engineered wood is best for underfloor heating as it performs well with changes in floor temperature and moisture content.
Before installation, we recommend the timber flooring be left flat in the original unopened packaging in the areas it is to be installed for at least 48 hours prior. This allows the product to acclimatise to the room temperature and minimises the likelihood of any shrinkage or swelling.
At what stage of the work do I contact you regarding flooring?
Usually when mood boards are being created in the concept stage, clients will approach us for samples and recommended products that suit their project requirements.
Do you come to measure and quote?
We have an estimation service that measures plans and provide quotes. For renovations with no plans, we can send our approved installers to come out and measure for a quote.
Is it easy to take care of?
Simple cleaning is the main ingredient for keeping timber floors in tip-top shape. For regular weekly cleaning, engineered timber floors only require a quick vacuum and mop with a microfibre pad and wood floor cleaner.
How long would we expect the flooring to last?
The wear layer or veneer of engineered timber flooring varies in thickness and thus will affect the number of re-sands the flooring can have and ultimately how long it will last. Most engineered wood flooring has between a 2-6mm veneer of real wood, giving it a lifespan of at least 30-50 years.
Is there a guarantee with your flooring?
All our floors have a 25-year residential and 10-year commercial structural warranty. We also stand behind our coatings and if there is an obvious fault with the product then we will repair it.
