Engineered Hardwood Flooring – A Basic Guide
Engineered hardwood flooring is available in almost any hardwood species. It is comprised of a core of hardwood, plywood or high-density fiber and a top layer of hardwood veneer glued to the top surface of the core. There are typically three or more core layers; more layers provide greater stability. It has the natural characteristics of the selected wood as opposed to a photographic layer. This type of flooring is designed to provide greater stability in areas where heat or moisture pose problems for solid hardwood floors.
How does engineered hardwood flooring compare with laminates and solid hardwood? Watch this video to learn the differences.
Laminates have a core typically made of high density fiber and a top photographic layer that appears identical to the product they replicate and is generally the least expensive flooring
option. Laminate flooring, with its tongue and groove glueless interlocking system, is a quick and easy floating installation. Engineered hardwood flooring installation can be either a direct
glue-down or a floating floor. Solid hardwood flooring is composed entirely of solid natural wood, typically with a tongue and groove installation. Hardwood is generally more expensive and cannot be installed in areas where there are moisture issues.
Solid hardwood floors can warp, swell or split apart under adverse heat or moisture-related conditions. Engineered hardwood flooring is more stable due to the multiple-ply construction of the planks which allows them to remain flat and intact and resistant to twisting. For this reason, engineered hardwood flooring is a better choice for installation over concrete (whether below or above grade), radiant heat sources and in rainy climates.
If you’re concerned about appearance, engineering does not destroy the natural beauty of hardwood. The top hardwood layer or veneer is the same genuine hardwood present in solid hardwood floors. This layer is typically 0.6-4.5 mm in thickness; a quality hardwood veneer will provide many years of wear. The majority of hardwood surfaces are never refinished but are often removed and replaced professionally.
Armstrong’s Bruce Engineered Hardwood Flooring comes in oak, walnut, maple, cherry, hickory and birch wood and can have the look of traditional, hand-scraped or distressed wood. It is available in strips, planks and wide planks and in low, medium or high gloss. Mohawk’s engineered hardwood flooring is made of multi-layered 100% real wood with a Crystal Shield aluminum oxide finish; some products feature Scotchgard Protector Advanced Repel Technology that prevents spills, stains and dirt from adhering to the floor. Mohawk flooring comes in oak, maple, pine, elm, hickory, walnut and Montego cherry. Natural Floors by USFloors sells engineered flooring constructed from sustainable exotic cherry and tigerwood. Other manufacturers include Mannington and Shaw.
Engineered hardwood flooring can be purchased locally or online at Lumber Liquidators, Lowe’s, The Home Depot and BuildDirect.com. Be sure to do preliminary research online in order to compare prices and read customer reviews before making your purchase.
