The wear layer decides everything
| Wear layer | Rate / sq ft | Sandings possible | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | ₹320–450 | None to one light | Bedrooms, low traffic |
| 3 mm | ₹420–620 | One to two | General residential |
| 4 mm | ₹560–780 | Two to three | Living areas, long horizon |
| 6 mm | ₹750–1,100 | Three to four | Heirloom floors, wide planks |
Add ₹45–90 per sq ft for screed levelling, and ₹120–260 per running foot for a matching skirting.
Why it beats solid timber here
Solid hardwood moves with humidity across its width. Mumbai swings from 45% relative humidity in February to over 85% in July, which is enough to cup a solid oak board and open gaps at the joints when it dries back. An engineered board's cross-laminated core restrains that movement to a fraction of it. Solid timber flooring can be made to work in a Mumbai flat, but it requires acclimatisation, tight humidity control and a client who accepts seasonal movement. Engineered does not.
Finishes and fixing
- UV-cured lacquer: hardest surface, factory-applied, repairs need a specialist.
- Oiled: natural look, spot-repairable at home, needs re-oiling every 2–3 years.
- Brushed and oiled: the grain is raised and the finish sits in it, which hides wear best.
- Glue-down on a levelled screed for solidity, or floating over an underlay for speed and a slightly hollow sound.
Against laminate and LVT
Laminate is a photograph of timber under melamine at a quarter of the price. LVT is a photograph under vinyl, softer and waterproof. Engineered wood is the only one of the three that is actually wood — it warms, it ages, it can be sanded, and it reads correctly at close range. It is also the only one that is damaged permanently by a washing machine leak. Specify it for bedrooms and living rooms and keep tile in wet areas. See luxury interiors and the flooring calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can engineered wood be sanded?+
Roughly once per 1.5 mm of wear layer above the tongue. A 3 mm layer takes one or two light sandings, a 6 mm layer three or four. A 2 mm layer should be treated as a one-life floor.
Is engineered wood suitable for Mumbai humidity?+
Yes — that is precisely the problem it solves. The cross-laminated core restrains seasonal movement that would cup a solid board. It still needs an expansion gap at the perimeter and should not be laid over a damp screed.
Can engineered wood be used in a kitchen?+
In an open-plan kitchen away from the sink run, with a mat at the wet zone, many clients do. Directly under a sink or dishwasher it is a risk — one slow leak under a unit will lift the wear layer.
What is the difference between engineered wood and plywood flooring?+
Engineered flooring has a genuine hardwood wear layer designed to be seen and sanded. What is sometimes sold as "plywood flooring" is a ply panel with a thin decorative veneer that cannot be refinished at all.