engineered hardwood flooring

last month

Greetings, all. I am in analysis paralysis with choosing an engineered hardwood floor for my home.

I am shocked at how many brands there are. I’ve been to 3 places so far, which have probably 100+ different brands each and only a few overlap. Who knew!

I would be grateful for any recommendations.

I’m looking at something in the range of $6-$9 per square foot (I need 1100 square feet). Light colored, oak, wide plank and I’d like at least 4mm, which I believe can be refinished twice. I’ll pay separately for installation, my contractor will do it.

Featured Answer

dan1888

last month

last modified: last month

The product of choice today is European Oak. Every flooring company offers it because the majority is being produced in SE Asian countries. Vieynam, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, etc. Product is also producted in Denmark, Swedan and Europe. Why is it popular? 300+ different species of oak worldwide. Quercus robur is French Oak. N American red abd white oak are different species. The main differences are- E.Oak isn't pink or as yellow/orange and it doesn't have the open grain that turns dark when flat cut. You can get 7-11" wide engineered planks flat cut to show the beautiful cathedrals of the tree growth. You don't do that with our red and white oak. You use rift cut. Rhat only shows wavy lines. Hurst Hardwood link has E. Oak planks in your range. Two other specs. Thickness of top hardwood layer. 4mm. or 6mm 1/6" or 1/4". You can refinish it . The core has to be hardwood plywood. Either birch or eucalyptus. Softwood is no go. Dents. When you look at a product always find out the country of origion. A ceramic bead finisn is better than aluminum oxide which can look cloudy. Hakwood is made in Denmark and expensive. DuChateau in Vietnam. Monarch Plank in Malasia for some products. Finishes are ultra matte. Pale brown like raw wood is one tone. The floor will be miles more beautiful than anything from the past, imo. You can get unfinished. Ciranova and Bona are quality finishes. Two coats of sealer and 2-3 of topcoat. All water-based. Matt Cremona has a video on it. Watch it not so much so that you can do it. To know how it should be done.

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Comments (7)

Jules
Original Author
last month
Thank you so much for this incredibly informative answer.
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PRO
Vertesol
last month
Definitely plenty to choose from. I'd probably be looking more at construction/warranty and less on the brand name. 4mm wear layer is a pretty standard feature and you definitely need to see some samples in the lighting of your house.
dan1888
last month
This European Oak is a new color tone creating a bright line transition between old and current. Plus the two addedcharacteristics of flat cut and wide plank. Those allow the full beauty of the cathedrals of wood structure variability to be on display. Not available in the past. IMO what you get can be a major impact on your space. That's as worthwhile as a kitchen reno. It will have a possitive contribution, beyond the cost, on resale value.
Living Room Redesign
last month
last modified: last month
I am similarly going through a LOT of analysis paralysis, and found this thread. How are your explorations going? Do you/anyone on this thread have recommendations for the following specs:

- 6" - 7.5" wide plank

- Color: blonde-ish (i.e. not entirely white or grey as a lot of them look right now, but not brown or pink either ... more sandy)

- 3mm - 4mm veneer

- 9/16" - 5/8" thickness

- smooth to touch (a lot of the wire-brushed ones feel a bit rough under foot)

- some character, i.e. a few knots here and there, but not rustic extreme. i think it's called "select" grade?
Jules
Original Author
last month
Hello!

I decided I’m going with engineered wood. After much consideration I decided LVP is not for me.

I am 95% sure I’m going with a brand called Medieval in Antique Brass. Sounds like a terrible color but it’s a blonde French oak, 6mm with a 35 year guarantee. It feels smooth underfoot (I looked at other EW products that were rough. I’ve had real hardwood in 2 other homes and it was smooth, smooth, smooth).

I’m paying $9.71 per square foot (I live in SF Bay Area) and the installation cost is wrapped up in my contractor’s total quote for a big remodel.

The decisions surrounding a remodel are insane!
Living Room Redesign
last month
Ha on the naming! :) But it looks lovely from my brief googling. Thank you for the information.