style is hand scraped = the texture My floor preference is 3/4 engineered which has a top veneer 3 times thicker than 1/2" but both the ease of installation, refinish-ability and when floating it, you don't get that cushy feel. Joint glued keeps the seams tight and the expansion and contraction to the outside edges under the base board. I also do only oil finishes not poly on dark floors particularly cherry. Though it has less gloss it will not turn white from solar exposure after 5 to 6 years.