If you do a search on houzz or on the internet, you can find articles which provide information on the construction of engineered wood - the thickness of the wear layer as well as the strength of the finish.

When I installed my engineered wood floors I did a fair amount of research and ultimately decided on Mirage Floors. As @Unique Wood Floors wrote, it is a Canadian company and operates with "green" principles.

It also had a decent wear layer as well as a well review finish. The finish to me was what was important as I refinishing my floors would be impractical so I was focused on how durable the finish was.

I have had them almost five years and they still look basically as good as new. That said, I did choose a light natural finish and light floors are more forgiving. If the sun is shining and I squint I can see a few spots where there is a scratch. However, in the floor's defense, I did have the floors installed and then had construction done because of circumstances and I think the scratches are from where some very heavy stuff might have been moved.

Thank you Helen! Do you mind sharing a photo?

Most brands make decent products, or put another way, there are few products out there that are outright junk. That said, I prefer to sell customers a product that can be refinished at least one time. A product with a top veneer of 2mm can be refinished, but it's a bit sketchy.

Rather than asking experts or homeowners to comment on a myriad of possibilities, it would be best to ask about brands and products you've been looking at. Many brands sell products with a range of price points and qualities.

That’s the problem. I don’t know where to begin.

If you to to Mirage's website you can see their fairly wide selection

https://www.miragefloors.com/en-us/

They are also widely distributed and so you can look at samples at a store near you. Or they seem to offer free samples.

Their wear layer is pretty good. When I researched it was theoretically possible to refinish at least twice. Due to the logistics of my home, I would never refinish because it would entail moving everything out of my home but if I sold the new buyer could theoretically refinish before they moved in.

@Helen, would you mind sharing what wood species and texture your floors are? Just wondering if you have a wire brushed texture, and if so, have you experienced any issues? I’m thinking I would prefer a smooth texture for cleaning, but not sure if it matters. Thanks!

We looked at Kährs, Kentwood. Finally bought from Porcelanosa.

We installed lauzon, hickory. Three years in, with kids, toys, dogs, etc.

Beautiful! We have 2 kids and 2 cats so definitely nice to hear they’re standing up.

I have installed the engineered hardwood in my house a year ago from applachain flooring (from Canada) it is a very good product . Easy to maintain. There are many color options to go with, There are different widths to choose from as well.

Thank you Nicole!

We are very hsppy with a pre-finished European oak floor we pirchased from Hurst Hardwoods. It was i stalled 3 years ago in an apartment we rent to short-term vacationers. The floor has held up very well, even after moving furniture around a few times.https://www.hursthardwoods.com/7-1-2-x-5-8-european-french-oak-natural/engfonat/

This was much better quality flooring than what we purchased for a subsequent project in 2019 from a new mill in TN.

@ Nichole Campos

It's been 3 months since you first posted your question. How is searching coming along?

We’re actually out looking again today. We’ve narrowed it down to 2 options…so far.

Anyone ever hear of Medieval brand hardwood floors?

Not familiar with the brand. It would be helpful if you share a picture or two.

This is all that I have. I love the color, size, feel etc, but the salesperson said they’re new to hardwood so I’m unsure about buying this.

@ Nichole Campos

Thanks for sharing! It looks like quality brand to me with 4mm wear layer. There isn't much more I can comment besides how it looks like installed since we have one very similar European White Oak floor. See these Houzz photo.

City Crave Aberdeen · More Info

City Crave Aberdeen · More Info

Is anyone familiar with this brand, or does anyone have pictures of this installed? I like this also, but it’s definitely more rustic than the medieval.

I am familiar with brand. It is made by an Indonesian manufacturer sold under Monarch Lago brand. I know they make high quality engineered floors at fair prices since we have used them for almost 2 decades. I wouldn't expect Medieval brand to be cleaner in look after installation. Chance is just the sample board.

I’m thinking the same.

I would look at your budget first then decide. Mirage and Lauzon are top tier brands of engineered hardwood. I am having new Lauzon engineered oak flooring put in as it was thousands less than Mirage and has good wear layer and quality.

What color are you going with?

@Nichole I am going with a light oak the Belont version from Lauzon and this is how it would look from the Lauzon visualizer

https://www.lauzoncollection.com/collection/hardwood-floor-lauzon-collection-natural-influence-red-oak-belmont/

We are really happy with our Kahrs floors.

my new Lauzon engineered hardwood Belmont red oak is looking amazing so far this week for new flooring install in my home

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing

You are welcome @Nichole and Lauzon was less expensive than Mirage. Mine is Select with titanium finish in red oak.

That’s good to know. Thank you!

Brands that are quality engineered hardwood:

Mirage- top tier but most expensive

Lauzon- top level like Mirage and expensive

Somerset

Others to consider:

Uptown

Purezza??

before with old crappy vinyl laminate floors that are garbage and were falling apart after 2 years and found out they are made in china Allure junk paper thin!

now after new Lauzon engineered hardwood Belmont N American oak floors installed!

Lauzon and Mirage are top tier for engineered hardwood and Somerset decent as well. Expensive but you get quality.

To those who have had Mirage or Lauzon recently installed, how much would you estimate the total installed cost was per square foot?

@Brett my total cost for 1400 square foot of Lauzon Select engineered hardwood top tier was about $25/sq foot including materials (wood, glue, etc) including new baseboards and labor through Abbey Flooring. They did the removal of old materials and labor and great work.

Thanks, that's helpful. I was estimating about $20/sq ft installed for new construction, I'm just trying to figure out if that is still the going rate in late 2023. Our floor would probably be going in late next summer.

I live in California so labor costs are high here.

We're building our house in central Washington state, so costs are probably lower than Seattle area, but not much lower.

@Brett it was definitely an expensive cost replacing the entire downstairs flooring but a good long term investment. It will cost more in a few years than now. Besides, I was able to patch up and seal subfloor.