What's Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

When it comes to hard surface flooring, there are a lot of options, from geniune white oak hardwood to resilient luxury vinyl that mimics real hardwood down to the grain patterns. Oftentimes, when there are a lot of options to choose from, it can seem overwhelming and many questions begin to form. Such as, what’s the difference when it comes to solid vs. engineered hardwood?

An engineered wood floor is constructed of layers of both hardwood and plywood, where solid hardwood is a solid piece of wood with no layers.

Hardwood flooring is a great way to add timeless pizzazz to any room! What should you consider when making a choice between engineered and solid hardwood? Let’s learn about engineered hardwood:

• Engineered hardwood construction has durable, high-performance qualities. 
• It is constructed with multi-layers of wood; each layer is positioned in a different direction. This construction prevents the engineered hardwood from warping and bowing the way a hardwood floor might in moist areas.
• Its advantage over solid hardwood is that the construction allows for installation in most grade levels of the home, including below ground with a protective moisture barrier installed.
• A hardwood veneer gives the natural wood beauty & look to the engineered floor just as a solid hardwood floor does.
• Engineered hardwood offers easy care and maintenance. 

What Styles Do Engineered Hardwood Support?

Engineered hardwood can offer a variety of style for your home:

• Available in today’s trendiest wood species; hickory, oak, maple and more.
• There are multiple finishes available in matte, semi-gloss, and high-gloss.
• To add visual interest to your floor, engineered hardwood comes in a variety of surface effects such as hand scraped for a time worn appearance, distressed for a slightly rustic appearance, or wire-brushed.

Plus, for homeowners in colder climates, engineered hardwood is one of the best flooring options to place over radiant heating; however, be sure to check with your local flooring experts that the product you've selected is compatable with your heating system. 

Whether your style ranges from warm minimalism to transitional modern, you can find a hardwood floor that best suits your home. No matter where in the home you install engineered hardwood, you can be sure it will be a beautiful, eye-catching statement with a durable surface. 

How Thick Is Engineered Wood Flooring?

Engineered flooring is typically between 3/8” to 3/4” thick, whereas solid hardwood is 1/2” to 3/4“ thick.

How Long Will an Engineered Wood Floor Last?

Depending on the thickness of the veneer that tops the flooring, the quality of flooring used, and how well you maintain your floors, engineered hardwood can last a lifetime. All 3 factors play a big role in determining the longevity of any floor in your home.

Our engineered hardwood adds performance, style, and value to your home, and with our impressive options, you can choose from any design, such as sleek and smooth, or rustic and scraped.

Due to innovative manufacturing techniques, engineered hardwood can be installed in any room in your home, including your basement and bathrooms, as long as there are no extreme moisture issues and a protective moisture barrier is installed.

Less expensive than hardwood, selecting engineered hardwood will allow you to install this excellent flooring style in multiple rooms.

Is Engineered Hardwood the Same as Laminate?

While engineered hardwood may look similar to laminate flooring, they are not the same.

Engineered hardwood contains a top layer of solid wood, while laminate flooring has a photographic layer coated with a wear-layer that appears to look like a wood surface.

In addition, laminate flooring is usually thinner than engineered hardwood.

Is Engineered Hardwood More Expensive Than Solid Hardwood?

Engineered hardwood is typically less expensive than hardwood flooring as ranges in price from about $2.50 to $10 per square foot, while hardwood typically averages about $4 to $12 per square foot. 

Does Engineered Hardwood Scratch Easily?

Engineered hardwood typically lasts between 20 and 30 years.

Because they do have a top layer of hardwood, like solid hardwood, they are susceptible to scratches.

If scratch resistance is important to you, look for engineered hardwood floors with a scratch-resistant top coat. Small scratches on engineered hardwood can be repaired a wax repair kit or a cotton cloth and some rubbing alcohol.

Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring Right for Your Home?

Call your local Flooring America to learn more about engineered hardwood flooring options for your home or business!