What is MRP®?
When Signature first introduced our MRP® Engineered Hardwood Floors, people often asked about the meaning of the acronym. MRP® stands for Moisture-Resistant-Platform. It’s the specially designed base for our wide plank floors.
As the name implies, our Vintage French Oak floors is built on a platform that resists damage caused by too much moisture. Unlike other engineered hardwood floors, MRP® is the closest you can get to waterproof hardwood floors without settling for materials that only imitate the look of wood.
MRP® Engineered vs Solid Wood Structural Reliability
When you live in an environment with a lot of temperature and humidity fluctuations, hardwood takes a beating with the repetitive contraction and expansion that occurs naturally during those changes. Solid hardwood flooring material tends to be very sensitive to the slightest variations in relative humidity, especially when it’s produced in larger dimensions, like the highly demanded wider widths and longer planks.
The Signature solution to allow for the larger sizes while maintaining structural integrity is the MRP® moisture-resistant Vintage French Oak flooring material, which is imported from Europe. It’s built on a multi-layer, impregnated Baltic Birch plywood base with a generous 6mm (1/4”) top hardwood wear layer, the same as in solid hardwood floors. Our floors can be refinished the same number of times as solid hardwood floors.
The standard MRP® technology allows for wide planks starting at 7″ and long lengths from +3′ to +9′ to be completely stable, unlike solid hardwood in the same dimensions. You get to enjoy the beauty and unique character of solid French Oak, with no plank ever looking like any other while benefiting from the durability and performance of our Moisture-Resistant-Platform.
Here is a comparison of our engineered MRP® hardwood floor to solid wood floor.
Water Exposure
As long as it’s properly installed, including full spread adhesive, your MRP® floor is guaranteed to withstand minor water exposure. Signature does not recommend it for rooms with regularly used steam showers, as there is generally not enough time for the floor to properly dry. There are also instances when the floor will indeed have to be removed and replaced, like in cases of sewage contamination or major home flooding. Barring those extreme examples, Signature is confident that the MRP® Wide Plank Vintage French Oak hardwood flooring will continue to perform exceptionally well in both residential and commercial applications.
Allowing adequate drying time, MRP® flooring may return to its original installed state after appliance leaks, plumbing disasters and even salt water flooding from aquariums. Satisfied clients have experienced all of these situations, the MRP® flooring exceeding expectations each time. However, in all of the water damage cases mentioned above, the floor had been finished with Hardwax Oil allowing for the floor to breath and the water to naturally evaporate. In comparison, laminated floors trap moisture which can cause swelling, bowing, and other structural issues to become pronounced.
Radiant Heating Compatible
The MRP® construction allows for wide plank flooring to be installed equally well in high rises or basements below grade. Its special design also allows for proper functioning of radiant heat systems (electric or hydronic). Because wood is an insulating material, it can trap and hold heat. Unlike solid hardwood, which can impede the efficiency of radiant products, the MRP® structure is more compatible with radiant heat due to its correct Rc Values (conductivity resistance) for proper heat emission.
Your radiant heat will spread evenly and quickly near the surface of the floor and the top hardwood layer will help to maintain the temperature. For best performance with all applications, our MRP® Wide Plank Hardwood Floor does need to be glued down with an approved adhesive, and nailed in when going over a plywood subfloor. Floating our wide plank floors is never recommended or approved.
Don't Compromise
Whether you’re a professional flooring expert or a very capable DIY enthusiast, our MRP® Wide Plank Vintage French Oak Hardwood Floor offers an ideal design option. You don’t have to sacrifice your love of natural hardwood when planning an affordable, reliable installation of gorgeous wide plank floors.