Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring may not have the same ring to it as solid hardwood, but it sure does check all of the boxes when it comes to function and style. Comparable to what most people refer to as “real wood”, engineered wood floors actually go above and beyond to perform in situations where the real stuff cannot. If you are considering replacing your current floors, read on to find out why engineered hardwood might be the perfect solution.

What is engineered wood flooring?

Engineered hardwood floors are comprised of a solid wood top layer, followed by multiple layers of manufactured wood, called ‘plies’, that are fused together with heat and pressure. The bottom, or backing, is often made of solid wood as well. This layering combination makes for a super durable product that can stand up to wear-and-tear — pre-finished variations take everyday bangs, batters and spills like a champ, and can last just as long as some solid wood options.

What are the benefits of using engineered hardwood flooring?

Adapts to humidity: Engineered wood is great for high-moisture zones like basements, bathrooms and concrete slab foundations, because it is less susceptible to expanding, contracting and buckling than regular plank wood floors.

Variety of design: With an array of options, you can find pretty much any texture or color of engineered floors you desire. This means it’s often a better alternative to getting solid planks of more exotic species, since your dollar will stretch further and you’ll be using about half as many trees as solid wood floors do.

Easy installation: Engineered hardwood is versatile for the fact that it can be installed as “floating”, or click lock, floors, where the planks are attached to each other instead of being nailed or glued down to the subfloor. This means the average DIYer can actually install them without hiring a professional. This ease of installation can bring down the price of engineered floors significantly, making them a more budget-friendly option for most people.

The one downfall to engineered flooring is that it can’t be refinished as many times as solid hardwood. Typically one to two times throughout their lifespan will be the maximum. Cheaper, thinner versions cannot be refinished at all, so beware of prices that sound too good to be true; they often mean low quality. With good quality engineered wood floors, you’ll get a lifespan of 30 to 100 years depending on foot traffic and proper maintenance.