Support
technology
An enhanced-stability engineered parquet floor can be installed on a variety of supports. But not all are equal. And the consequent level of performance in terms of dimensional stability, hygroscopic behaviour, resistance to humidity and thermal efficiency also differs.
unwarpable
**
resistant
*
mechanically precise
**
safe
**
RECOMPOSED WOOD
Recomposed wood is made of wood fibre that is ground and then recomposed (like chipboard and high or medium density fibreboard) using ynthetic thermosetting resins of various types. They are mostly used in melamine and laminate floors, or for parquet with an ultrathin top layer to be used for floating floors and are therefore popular in DIY outlets. Flooring made with this type of support tends to be less resistant to changes in humidity and more prone to warping. The glue content, higher compared to other types o wooden supports, means that the level of formaldehyde emissions, and that of other volatile organic compositions, should be carefully checked.
unwarpable
****
resistant
****
mechanically precise
***
safe
****
BATTEN WOOD
This type is made with thin wooden laths (usually soft wood, like pine or willow) and a thicker third layer that acts as a counter balance. Floors made in this way are called “triple-layer parquet.”
It generally offers a good level of dimensional stability. For the same wood and format, to assure the same performance in terms of dimensional stability, a greater overall thickness is needed compared to types of supports with even better mechanical characteristics. This can sometimes be a drawback in restoration projects because of the increased amount of space it takes up and, in the case of application on heated sub-layers, because of its lower thermal efficiency. Historically speaking, the innate stiffness - its low longitudinal flexibility – means this sort of product is better for a floating floor. It can, nonetheless, be glued, but precautions must be taken to guarantee a good result.
unwarpable
*****
resistant
*****
mechanically precise
*****
safe
*****
MULTI-LAYER WOOD
The support that provides the greatest level of stability, the highest thermal efficiency and most comfortable acoustics for engineered parquet is a multilayered wood support. The difference is felt above all when the flooring is bonded to the base as the system is a result of scientific research done by a renowned expert in the wood technology industry and therefore created specifically to provide higher performance levels when used in this way. Multi-layer support, especially when made with highly resistant wood from broadleaf trees and all the technological features connected to it, lets the wood flooring fuse into a single element with the under layer, making it thinner and providing immeasurably superior levels of performance.