When to Use Engineered Wood Floors

susanhenr We installed engineered wood (Brazilian Cherry) rather than plank wood floors because they were the only wood floors guaranteed over in-floor radiant heating. We have had them for 5 years now and they have held up beautifully and we are very happy with them.

woofwoof Here's a way to look at spending money on floors. Besides windows and doors, it is probably the single biggest visual element in your home, it sets the mood and ties the house together. This is not an area where you want to skimp! I'd stay away from the box stores and the discounters and find a knowledgeable local individual retailer who does a lot of business in your neighborhood. Also, think about how you live, with kids, dogs, etc. We're doing an entire house in engineered distressed maple with wide 7" planks of varying lengths -- it already looks beat up, so we figure we can't mess it up too much!

Paul Anater Woofwoof: I say the same thing to people all the time, stay out of the big boxes and see what's really out there.

20thsammy We are using engineered wide plank floors due to hydronic in-floor heating as well. Site finished and custom stained no one will know how the sub layers are constructed or care. Though people we have told this to often think engineered wood floors are like laminate and are put off by the idea.

Denise Vilim Thanks so much for this Paul. I, and I know others, have really been looking forward to the engineered wood portion of your flooring series. I am getting ready to replace my current laminate wood floors with new ones and thought I had made my selection until I read this. I did not realize there was much variance between engineered floors. So, I began searching online for a better quality laminate and found the following article which I thought was additionally helpful:

http://www.hoskinghardwood.com/Department/Hardwood-Floors/All-About-Engineered-Wood-Floors.aspx?dId=7&pageId=7

Denise Vilim I just saw 20thsammy's post about there being a difference between laminate and engineered. I thought they were the same thing. Something else I've learned.

Paul Anater Laminates are next week and there's a world of difference between engineered and laminate floors. I'm glad you're finding this so useful, it's why I was asked to write this series. There's a lot of misinformation out there and I'm glad to cut through it. There are positives and negatives to every surface and it's important to weigh your needs and uses against what's available. There's no one solution so quality research is vital!

classic•casual•home Nice job. For us, we liked the way engineered wood could be installed so much faster...no one would ever know our wide planked distressed oak was not solid wood.

Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co. Hi Paul: Great story. Since you've mentioned seeking products from sustainable sources, I'd like to add two more green items. First, purchasing locally-made products is also a green choice. Second, and most importantly, check that the products are low in urea formaldehyde. Urea Formaldehyde can be present in resins (or glues) found in pressed wood products and floor adhesives and can take years to off gas: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html :) Rhoda

Todd Vendituoli Great piece Paul. We've installed many plank floors over the years and many engineered. As mentioned,some people think that laminate and engineered are the same and that really isn't the case at all. There are many options for flooring these days and thusly why it pays to make educated informed choices available to clients.

hannabell Thank you Paul, great series

Sheila Edmond I'd really like to know more about wood flooring over electric radiant heating. Our house is on a slab and being two stories it gets awfully cold downstairs in the winter. People keep trying to steer me away from wood and towards tile.

maison21 engineered wood is a great cost effective option. i love that it can develop a patina like real wood, plus can be refinished if necessary- both not options with cheap laminates.

great article, paul.

Paul Anater Thanks Christian!

Sheila: Yes you can use engineered wood floors in conjunction with radiant heat. Any of the manufacturers I link to in this IdeaBook will tell you exactly how to handle it.

lyvia Can you make colored patterns in engineered wood? For example, rectangle area rugs out of lighter color on a dark background. It seems like nobody does it.

Paul Anater Colored patterns?

mrsben Paul, as mentioned previously I have done a lot of research regarding this subject but thoroughly appreciate the information on certificiation and logos which is often dismissed. Thank you! -Brenda-
(Re lyvia's comment: I am wondering if reference is being made to an 'unfinished' Hardwood flooring when it is blocked off and stained to create a pattern using contrasting colours?)

amandaww I'm in Australia and I'm wondering where bamboo flooring fits in? Recently we were looking at engineered floors and the salesperson said the bamboo was the most sustainable option in their range. I was wondering how it wears, and any other major differences?

kitter Can you get engineered parquet flooring? How about a whole idea book on patterned wood floors (not just planks & herringbones).

daved Surprising lack of discussion about under-floor heating!

evaf Daved, this is exactly my issue. I am working on a new home. I am aware of the downside of wood in general as compared to stone or concrete as it does not transmit temperature as easily and tends to warp. Many people like the look and feel of a wood floor but it does not seem to be very compatible with radiant heating technology. How do engineered wood floors do with under-floor heating?

estephens What about low humidity parts of the country? Will engineered wood floors hold up better than planks?

Paul Anater Whether or not to use engineered wood floors over radiant heat is a complex question. In a broad sense, it's perfectly OK to do so but every manufacturer places conditions on the warranty if you do. These conditions vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and most of them deal with the method of the floor's installation and the type of radiant heat being used.

Engineered planks are more dimensionally stable than solid wood planks are and the temperature fluctuations don't effect most types. Here's a link to a good article that explains it pretty well: http://www.hoskinghardwood.com/radiant-heat/default.asp

Along those same lines, engineered planks tend to respond less to ambient humidity than solid planks do.

donobrien I just ordered Brazilian cherry engineered flooring for my new house in central Oregon--Bend. A well experienced installer said engineered flooring performs much better in our dry climate here. So consider your climate when deciding which type of flooring to go with. Engineered flooring is going to be more stable, i.e. less prone to expansion and contraction, and cupping.

elynn Paul - would love to see a piece on under-floor heating options vis-a-vis flooring selection.
Thanks for another great piece here.

elynn I see you just posted a link in your comment above regarding under-floor heating options -- excellent info. Thanks again.

Linda Peterson I think one of the biggest advantages of an engineered wood floor is that you see exactly what the stain color will be, whereas with natural planks you are trying different stains and telling the installer to "make it a little darker, with a little less red", etc. Of course to some people, the ability to custom stain is the reason they prefer the thicker planks. I am also very glad my maple planks can be sanded down a dozen times!
With engineered wood on the other hand, you can order an extra box or two and keep them (not in attic or garage!) in case of emergency.

geoffdog Great information. I installed an engineered wood floor in my old house. It was not that difficult with the help of a master carpenter to do the cuts. The outcome looked great, a very rewarding DIY weekend. I had it screened after a few years, with outstanding results, it really brought out the beautiful patina in the wood. Great writing Paul, this has been a wonderful series.

Paul Anater Thanks Geoff!

Pat Lukes Another great Ideabook Paul. I put bamboo flooring in my home, vertical, carbonized, medium tone and the reason I put them in, is because it is sustainable. But, after installing them, I do not see them going the distance that an oak floor would. So, if they need to be replaced after ten or fifteen years, then how is that helping the environment? I'm curious. I'm happy with the look though.

Paul Anater Bamboo floors can be refinished. Most of them anyway. Sustainability is a multi-faceted thing indeed and there's a lot more involved than first meets the eye. A good quality engineered floor will last from 40 to 60 years and a solid hardwood plank will last for 80 to 100. My heart pine floors will be 100 years old next year and they look terrific. Everything's a trade off at the end of the day and sustainability is a relative term. The real problem is the thinking (and building practices) that leads to homes expected to last for 20 years instead of 200.

smitten I also have bamboo floors and was told that I could only refinish them once. We have a dog and cat living here, which caused for the new floors to be scratched within months. My partner is upset and I told him I would have the floors fixed, but if we can only do it once, we should likely wait until we're ready to move out. Can anyone tell me if what he says about only 1 chance to refinish is true or not?

Thanks kindly!

Michele P We installed Brazilian Cherry engineered wood floors in our kitchen and they look beautiful when they are clean...but it hasn't been the best choice for a kitchen with 2 small children. I have to clean every day or they look a mess and I have many fork prong holes in the floor from forks being dropped and a few dents from dropping things. In hindsight I should have done tile.

judisalasin Paul,
Great article!!! Did I miss "how to care for these floors? I heard that the floor cleaners, if used every week, can make these floors cloudy???

Paul Anater Follow your manufacturer's instructions and never use a cleaner that leaves a residue.

Brian Frailey Smitten, Refinished vs. recoating are two different things. If you like the color and just need to put a new coat of urethane on top then a simple screen and recoat would be appropriate. The finishing company will simply abraid the surface of the floor in order for the new finish to be able to stick. If you are changing the color then typically you can do that once or twice successfully.
I understand the concerns over vertical and horizontal not going the distance as well. There are several manufacturers that offer a stranded bamboo. This offering will not only increase the strength (janka rating) and stability of the floor but add an extra element of design to it as well. There are many companies who provide this material. Google "Strand Woven Bamboo".

artemishouse Thanks for the article. I recently installed Mirage tongue-and-groove engineered oak floors over concrete slab in my townhome and got the highest quality underlay. It wasn't cheap, but it absolutely looks and feels like solid wood slab.

Francesca406 Any suggestions for best wood floor for a household with 2 bulldogs and 2 kids?

Real Wood Floors Keep in mind you can get engineered flooring unfinished so it can be customized just like traditional 3/4" solid flooring. In fact there are a number of engineered products that offer the same hardwood wear layer as a solid wood floor. Keep in mind a solid 3/4" wood floor only has 1/4" of re-usable, sandable wood because the nails or staples that hold the floor in place are above the tongue. An engineered product with a 5mm wear layer will have as much life as a solid 3/4" floor.

Sam
woodflooringtrends.com

dballinger Paul: This is great information. We are going to do a complete remodel of our master bath and kitchen. We are dealing with the fact that our home is on a hill so the front of the house is on a concrete slab and the kitchen and master suite is on pier and beam. We were planning on hardwood for the entire house (not bathrooms). After reading this it seems like we need to work with the engineered wood.

My concern now is that we have three dogs. Not big dogs, about 20 pounds each. Will the new engineered woods hold up under the dog traffic? Or is that a lost cause?

Reclaimed Lumber Products As a manufacturer of wide plank and reclaimed engineered wood flooring we would like to weigh in on the questions from the comments and this very informative article. Do check all the specs on flooring- not all are created equal. For example we manufacturer a product with a 6mm wear layer, NO VOC and NAUF glues, FSC certified plywood; our product has all the beauty and durability of solid wood but also adds in the ease of install and stability of engineered. Ideal applications are wide plank, below grade, concrete and over radiant heat. No matter what wood floor manufacturers claim they can do to prevent movement; it is playing with unpredictable natural elements if installing solid wood floors in these less than ideal applications. In these places we recommend engineered products to reduce the chance of a problem. See more info on our site at: http://www.reclaimedlumberproducts.com/wood-flooring-and-paneling

jamiebeckwith dont forget about the Jamie Beckwith collection that is engineered wood flooring!!!

Marie Meko, Allied ASID Thank you for a great and informative article.

creaghan Can Engineered Wood be used for stairs? I hope so, as we have 3 steps from hallway to living room, then I would want to continue the flooring for 10 stairs to upstairs. We also have a 20lb dog, not too active. How does Engineered wood hold up to pets?

katylo Any comments on our dilema: we want engineered flooring because we are on a slab. we are also thinking 'floating' installation because if we have a plumbing problem again, the slab will need to be broken up to access piping for repairs. Can 'floating engineered' flooring be taken up and reinstalled?

Sheila Edmond Katylo: I too live on a slab. So long as a floating floor is not glued it can be taken up, but there will be some loss. What is important to know about floating engineered flooring is that the warranty of most, if not all, require gluing the tongues. IMO, laminate flooring would meet all your needs. There are beautiful laminates out there now. They are also much more durable, especially if you look for laminates created for use in commercial applications. Pergo has a line such as that. In addition, moisture will impact even engineered products and that includes moisture in the air- just look at any feedback or online pleas for help from people who live in Hawaii or Florida. If your slab was exposed to a lot of moisture because of a leak and/or broken up and filled be sure to have the moisture level measured before you make your final decision regarding wood products. Good luck with your project.

BTW, out of all the beautiful materials I had to choose from, I ended up choosing honed travertine and after a visit from the kids and all of the grand babies, I'm so glad I did. We not only live on a slab but we have a pool. we have an ice and water dispenser in the refrigerator door, there are people who use the dishwasher who don't always look to see if liquids end up under the corners after closing the door, and we have pets. So, the reality of puddles- exposure to moisture was what helped me make my final decision. In the end we paid far less then we would have with wood products since we purchased cheaper pallet lots of the stone from a big box store. If you're set on wood make sure you buy the best possible product or you'll be replacing it long before you expected to.

cpk52 We are considering adding hardwood flooring in our home. We have a colonial home that is twenty years old. We want to put it in our front entry, living room and dining room which all go across the front of the house. We have a mix of furniture..darker cherry and cherry with a maple finish as well as a few antique pieces. We are considering a brazilean walnut floor..an engineered product. I am concerned about the actual look. I have been told there will be lots of variation in color and then I have also been told it will be more of a solid looking color. I am really confused and don't want to choose something and be disappointed. Any information would be appreciated..thank you!

ljbanks56 We are considering engineered floors in our basement. We have been given the option to either do 1) Floating or 2) engineered glued down but my flooring company would do a urethane moisture blocker adhesive with the moisture barrier foam and then glue down the floor. Is the second option too risky? We have never had water issues in our basement but one never knows..
Does a floating floor look or feel any different than a glued down engineered? Thank YOU.

Reclaimed Lumber Products In response to ljbanks56 comment, it depends on the product. Some products are only intended to be floating floors. Speaking in generalizations they tend to not have the same feel of a permanent, quality installation. Floating floors tend have a hollow sound and have more spring when one walks on them. Our engineered flooring product that we manufacturer is intended to be glued down. There are all in one vapor barrier and mastic sold that is a one step application. In response to other questions, we would always recomend engineered floors for installation in wide plank, below grade, over radiant heet, and over concrete. Also be careful with lower quality engineered or laminates that use paper or composites in their backers; if exposed to moisture these can come apart. We only use an exterior grade FSC certified 9 ply 12mm birch plywood for a backer.

jdtrink We are renovating our kitchen. Someone suggested engineered wood flooring. I'm concerned because it is a kitchen with a back door access. Help, what do you think? Is this kind of flooring practical in a busy kitchen? Grandchildren are on the way.

Sheila Edmond Jdtrink: I had the same concerns that you probably do. If cost is not a concern then go for it BUT be sure to buy a high quality product. I'd consider one suitable for commercial use that has good reviews.

Since I also have a pool and French doors that lead out from the kitchen, standing water from people loading the dishwasher and not looking for the tiny puddles, a that practicality would mean installing it in a laundry room and powder room just off the kitchen. In addition, cost was a factor and I was realistic about the care needed to maintain it's look- no soaps, etc. I didn't feel good about grand-babies crawling around on a floor that was limited in that way. I chose instead to install 18" sq travertine tile (the least expensive from big box home improvement store) and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. I can take a Mr Clean Magic Eraser to it to get stains off (red ink spots appeared after our Christmas gathering). For the powder room we cut the tile into rectangles and I think that it looks wonderful.

binbrook Great information. Question: are engineer floors good for dogs? Especially for scratches or dents how strong is it? Does it depend on the type of wood veneer the floor has?

sharonad29 Is there any wood flooring that holds up against dogs nails , better than ...another- I have a 95 lb lab 3/4" hardwood prior ro sandy...Obviously have to replace it and was considering engineered- am still concerned about the dog?? Any suggesitons?

FlexDeck, LLC FlexDeck, Premium Brazilian Hardwood Decking TIles, visit our page on Houzz.

Goodwin Heart Pine Company Take a look at this gorgeous engineered wild black cherry floor from Goodwin Company http://heartpine.com Wild Cherry Engineered is the same figured cherry as our solid wood. You can have a well made engineered floor that looks and lasts like solid wood.

smacasa From a maintenance perspective, I find our current engineered flooring very demanding and far more difficult than our previous plank floors. I can no longer damp mop, but must lightly spray, then buff, small sections at a time with a special product. I hate that I can see where someone has walked barefoot or with damp socks, although that may be worse with medium dark wood with a semi-gloss finish -- however, the same combination on our previous plank floors never did this. Am I doing something wrong?!

jdtrink We decided on a laminate floor. I had samples of it and put it to the test with tomatoe sauce, wine etc. It cleaned up beautifully. We are going with this. Thanks for all your comments.