Engineered hardwood flooring provides homeowners with the appearance and beauty of hardwood flooring in a package that is less expensive, stronger, and available in an amazing range of species and finishes.
It is often said that solid wood is always the strongest. When it comes to flooring, however, this is not always the case. A traditional hardwood floor has the grain orientated in one direction throughout. The strength of engineered wood floors comes from a change in the direction of the grain. Engineered wood is a layer of finished wood between 1/16” and 1/8” laid over several layers of non-finish grade plywood. The grains of the different layers are placed perpendicular to each other. The change in the grain of the lower layers provides additional strength to the entire floor.
Hickory, Oak, Bamboo and Maple are all popular choices for hardwood flooring. These are also possible options for engineered wood flooring. In addition to a range of species types, homeowners can also choose from dozens of stains to achieve the perfect look for any home.
Traditional wood floors must be nailed to a subfloor. Installation over concrete subfloors can be tricky. With an engineered floors boards can be glued or nailed down although a floating floor installation is usually preferred. They are also a good choice for kitchen and dry bathrooms. As with most laminate or solid wood options, this flooring is not recommended for damp basements or any room where the floor is frequently wet.
Laminate flooring is less expensive, but laminate flooring cannot be refinished. Engineered wood floors provide owners with the ability to refinish the top layer of wood occasionally erasing scratches and revitalizing the floor.
Engineered hardwood flooring is an ideal option for most homes. Ease of installation makes it a good DIY project and the available finishes make it attractive choice for any décor.
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