Intro — a living room that tells the story
Picture a sunlit villa in Dubai Marina. Two identical oak floors were installed side by side: one with narrow, plywood‑core planks; the other with wide HDF‑core boards. After the first hot season the wide boards showed hairline gaps and edge swell; the narrower plywood option settled and aged with character. The difference was not style — it was specification.
This guide is the buyer’s toolkit for specifying, budgeting, sampling and installing engineered hardwood in UAE interiors. Read it once and you’ll know the core construction, the wear‑layer you should insist on, how to cost a job realistically, which questions to ask suppliers, and the on‑site checks that prevent warranty disputes.
Royal Grand Star General Trading LLC — 15+ years supplying timber across the UAE and GCC — can help you source sample kits, verify plywood‑core specifications and point you to vetted installers if you prefer a shorthand solution.
Choose the right board for Dubai: core, wear layer, width and finish
Short answer: for air‑conditioned homes in the UAE choose a plywood‑core engineered board with a real wood wear layer of 3–6 mm, total thickness around 14–18 mm, and narrower plank widths (ideally 90–150 mm). These parameters balance stability, longevity and the option to sand and refinish later.
Why plywood? Cross‑ply layers in plywood alternate grain direction and actively resist cupping and dimensional creep when indoor humidity swings under heavy air‑conditioning. HDF or particleboard cores are more vulnerable to long‑term moisture cycles and can delaminate or swell under stress.
A thicker veneer (3–6 mm) delivers two practical advantages: it tolerates sanding and refinishing, and it hides the join between veneer and core for longer. A thin top layer limits repair options to recoating only.
Finishes matter as much as construction. UV‑cured lacquer delivers durable surface protection and low maintenance; hardwax or factory‑applied oils give a warmer, tactile finish but require periodic maintenance and different on‑site handling. Always ask the manufacturer how many factory coats were applied and whether the finish is UV‑cured, UV‑oil, or a hardwax system.
| Core material | Multi‑ply plywood core |
| Wear layer | 3–6 mm genuine hardwood veneer |
| Total thickness | 14–18 mm |
| Plank width | 90–150 mm (avoid >180 mm unless strict humidity control) |
| Edge profile | Prefabricated bevel / no bevel — specify |
| Finish | UV lacquer / UV oil — state product and factory coat count |
| Site condition | Pre‑installation moisture testing (in‑situ RH probe or calcium chloride) required |
Design note: narrower planks reduce visible expansion lines and suit contemporary Arabic and European interiors; if you choose wide planks, expect more movement and insist on tighter HVAC and site controls.
Budgeting: realistic AED/m² and a sample project calculator
Current material ranges (supply only) in the Dubai market typically fall into three bands: budget AED 130–200/m², mid‑range AED 200–300/m², premium AED 300–450/m². Installation depends on method and site condition.
| Method | Typical uplift | Example total (material + install) |
|---|---|---|
| Floating (click) | +20–100 | Budget floating: 130 + 40 ≈ 170 AED/m² |
| Glue‑down | +40–150 | Mid‑range glue‑down: 250 + 80 ≈ 330 AED/m² |
| Nail/staple | +50–135 | Premium + specialist: 400 + 120 ≈ 520 AED/m² |
Line‑item extras to budget for: removal of existing floor (25–35 AED/m²), self‑levelling or screed (50–60 AED/m²), moisture remediation, underlay/vapour barrier, skirtings and transitions, transport and disposal, plus VAT. Timelines: expect 1–3 days for a 100 m² floating install; add 1–2 days for glue‑down or nail methods to allow for adhesive work and curing. For villas and complex jobs build in site surveys and schedule buffers.
Always ask for a written breakdown (materials, labour, extras) and confirm whether delivery, acclimation instructions and waste disposal are included.
Shortlist reliable Dubai suppliers and the essential questions to ask
Start calls with local suppliers to request samples and technical data sheets: Nordic Homeworx (Kährs), Floorworld (Swiss Hardwoods / Quickstep), Floors Dubai, Floors N Decks, Instep Floors, Greenhawk, Zayaanco Trading and DuraMagicFloor are useful starting points. Treat them as a shortlist — compare samples and TDS documents before awarding work.
- Product name and SKU (exact reference)
- Core material: plywood, HDF or other?
- Exact wear‑layer thickness (mm)
- Total plank dimensions (thickness × width × length)
- Finish type and number of factory coats
- Certifications: FSC/PEFC, CE, CARB2
- Warranty length and exclusions (moisture, installation, transferability)
- Sample policy and batch‑matching for large orders
- Lead time and stock availability
- Installation: included, recommended installers, or approved contractor list?
Red flags: suppliers who won’t disclose wear‑layer thickness, refuse TDS or warranty details, or deny in‑situ moisture testing. Royal Grand Star can prepare comparative sample kits and advise on plywood‑core options and trusted installers we’ve worked with across Dubai and the GCC.
Installation and site preparation that actually works in Dubai
Begin with the subfloor: it must be level, clean and dry. Require a moisture test — either an in‑situ relative humidity probe or a calcium chloride test — and obtain the report before work starts.
Acclimation: store packed boards in the installation area for 48–72 hours (follow supplier guidance). This simple step reduces early movement and after‑installation claims.
Vapour control: use a manufacturer‑approved vapour barrier or underlay system over ground slabs and terraces converted to living space. Don’t skip it.
Choose the fixing method to suit the substrate: floating systems are fastest and forgiving on flat slabs; glue‑down gives a low‑profile, permanent finish on imperfect slabs but requires correct adhesive (elastic wood adhesives are recommended); nail/staple is for timber joists. Insist on manufacturer‑approved adhesives and products.
Detail expansion gaps correctly: 10–15 mm perimeter clearance is a minimum; allow wider gaps for runs over 10 m and always use thresholds at doorways and transitions. For quality control require a mock area, batch number records and a sign‑off after moisture testing to protect warranties.
How to order and evaluate samples on site — a practical checklist
Order 3–4 full‑length sample planks from the same production batch and include underlay and adhesive samples. On site, place the planks on the finished subfloor and view them both in morning and evening light.
Measure veneer and total thickness, check edge profiles and check for bowing or cupping after 48–72 hours of acclimation. For critical matches insist on batch matching; if variations are unacceptable request a field mock‑up or a small trial patch (1–2 m²) in a low‑visibility area to validate adhesion and expansion behavior.
Collect and keep documentation: batch number, production date, technical data sheet, installation instructions, maintenance guidance and the written warranty.
Care, maintenance and what to do if things move
Preventive regime: maintain indoor relative humidity around 40–60%, use blinds to limit direct sun, fit felt pads on furniture and place doormats at entrances. These measures reduce movement and surface damage.
Cleaning: dust with a microfibre mop or vacuum with a soft head. Damp‑mop sparingly with a pH‑neutral wood cleaner; never flood the floor.
Long‑term service: sanding and resurfacing are feasible only if the wear layer is ≥3 mm. Thinner veneers are limited to recoating. If you notice small seasonal gaps they often close under regular living conditions; persistent cupping, edge swelling or ongoing moisture signs point to subfloor or moisture intrusion: cease wet cleaning and call your installer for diagnosis immediately.
For any claim keep receipts, batch numbers, installation records and moisture test reports — these are the evidence manufacturers and suppliers will request.
Summary and next steps
Two practical takeaways: specify plywood‑core boards with a 3–6 mm wear layer and plan budgets that include subfloor prep and the correct fixing method. Test moisture, acclimate samples and insist on batch documentation before sign‑off.
If you’d like a curated sample kit or technical guidance on plywood‑core options, contact Royal Grand Star General Trading LLC. We can supply comparative samples, verify specs and introduce vetted installers across Dubai and the GCC to keep your project on time and on spec.
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