Engineered Hardwood Cracking

last year

I had brand new engineered hardwood (French oak 6mm on top of Russian pine) installed a year ago. I’m very happy overall but there are a few boards that are cracked a bit. I talked to the manufacturer after installation and they said it was normal. Now I’m second guessing. What is everyone’s thoughts? Should I call and have them come out and replace these boards? This is my first experience with engineered or real hardwood so I don’t know what’s normal.

Secondarily, the floors do seem very easy to scratch and dent. I have an oak staircase and that holds up a lot better than this French Oak. It could just be anecdotal too. I’m a little bit of a perfectionist so I could just be getting use to wood vs the tile and carpet I had before. Any thoughts?

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Comments (13)

PRO
G & S Floor Service
last year
Veneer cracking, not good, find out what the recommended humidity is suppose to be for both russian pine and french oak. Imports/exoctics do not always adjust well here.
Jeffrey Ehman
Original Author
last year
I did with the manufacturer and we are in the acceptable range. By “not good”, what do you mean? Do I live with it because it could happen with a natural product or do I blame the manufacturer for some type of defect?
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PRO
G & S Floor Service
last year
I would consider,, this is a manufacturing defect. Gaps are fine, but cracked veneers seems suspect. Is it a few boards that we are talking about or a few dozens?

The Russian pine may be moving at a different rate compared to the French oak. Also, It can be poor quality adhesive or just poor quality control during the manufacturing process..

If, it's just the boards in the photos. I would leave it. But if, it is more , then try and get a claim in with the manufacturer. I don't see this as a installer issue, unless the flooring is crowning or cupping. You may need to bring in a NWFA inspector to write up a report.
Jeffrey Ehman
Original Author
last year
Thank you for the info. It may be a couple more boards but it’s definitely not dozens. The manufacturer does everything at high quality so I don’t believe it is adhesive. It’s probably more just the nature of getting engineered hardwood. I’ll wait for a few others to respond but I may just leave it. Thank you!!!!
dan1888
last year
Which manufacturer produces this product. And where is it produced? A link would be useful. The quality French Oak floorings I see do not use softwood at all. Birch or eucalyptus plywood are stable core materials. Quercus robur is French Oak. It's one of 300 varieties worldwide. The supply is not overly available. Whereas some of the oaks growing across Russia including Siberian Oak are substitutes widely used by Chinese and SE Asian manufacturers.
Jeffrey Ehman
Original Author
last year
It is made in SE Asia. Here is the manufacturer: https://purezawood.com/
dan1888
last year
I don't see info on the wood used in the ply core or any finish specifications. No info on country of origin.
millworkman
last year
" (French oak 6mm on top of Russian pine) "

French Oak, Russian Pine, Manufactured in SE Asia. What could go wrong........
Jeffrey Ehman
Original Author
last year
They get outstanding reviews on this site and Google. I generally agree. Their product overall is amazing.
dan1888
last year
I guess there's amazing on google these days. And really amazing. Only two choices.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
last year
Bussinesses can buy google reviews, nothing authentic anymore.
PRO
Minardi
last year
2 different woods with different expansion coefficients, and the normal winter drop of humidity into the teens, rather than the 35%-55% required will always result in cracking.
Carraway
last year
Hi Jeffrey, I know it’s been a few months but curious how your hardwood is holding up now? We are looking at purezawood to replace the flooring for our house and trying to get some insights.