Month: December 2020

Solid hardwood flooring is a stunning addition to any space, but it can be incredibly expensive. As more people are looking for ways to have stunning hardwood flooring in their homes, engineered hardwood has gained immense popularity.

In this blog post, we will explain what engineered hardwood flooring is, what its benefits are and why you should choose this engineered hardwood for your home.

Engineered Wood Flooring: What Is It Made of?

Unlike hardwood, engineered hardwood is not a solid piece of wood. The top layers of engineered wood planks are a thick veneer of solid wood covered in a high-gloss clear acrylic. Underneath the solid wood is a plywood base that acts as the core layer of each plank. The premium quality plywood layer makes each piece of engineered hardwood cheaper to be installed because the pieces are not made entirely of solid hardwood. The construction of this material is much like that of laminate flooring.

The Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

While engineered and solid hardwood looks alike, there are many differences between them. We’ll discuss why you should choose engineered hardwood over solid hardwood flooring.

Durability

Engineered hardwood flooring is incredibly strong. The top layer of the wood floor is the only area that is susceptible to scratches, dents and expansion; however, most engineered hardwoods have a relatively thin layer of semi-gloss to protect them from such wear and tear.

If an engineered wood floor does become scratched, chipped or dented, it can easily be fixed. The wear layer can be sanded and refinished, allowing home or business owners to have spotless flooring.

Cost

While traditional hardwood is beautiful, it can cost an exorbitant amount. Home and business owners that don’t want to pay a great deal to have a new floor installed should choose engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood looks like solid hardwood flooring and is relatively affordable.

The price of engineered hardwood varies depending on the hardwood veneer used. You can expect to pay more per plank if the wood layer is thick, a unique style or a popular species like birch. Nevertheless, this is a much more affordable option.

Water Resistance

Let’s face it, spills happen. Solid hardwood floor is not resistant to water; the tight seams between the planks will become warped if any water sits on solid wood flooring for too long. Engineered wood flooring is a more durable type of flooring.

Thanks to its unique construction, engineered wood floors will not expand or contract in humid spaces. And, if water rests on the surface of engineered hardwood floors, it will have fewer damages than solid hardwood. This water resistance makes engineered flooring the best type of flooring for busy areas of your home.

Easy Installation

Engineered flooring promises easy installation. Much like laminate flooring, engineered hardwood can be a floating floor; this means that the flooring does not need to be nailed or glued to a concrete subfloor. Instead, the hardwood flooring pieces lock together using a tongue and groove system.

Engineered hardwood construction makes it easy to install. Hardwood engineered floors can be installed as quickly as laminate. This easy installation allows professional floorers to cover a large area in a short period of time.

Customize the Appearance

You can customize the appearance of your engineered floor to your preferences. Engineered wood has nearly as many styles as laminate.

Various materials like oak, maple and hickory are available. You can also choose between a thin or wide plank. The tongue and groove system makes it easy to run your floor in a different direction than the surface subfloor. No matter what your vision is, you can make it a reality with engineered hardwood.

Choose an Engineered Hardwood Floor

Overall, engineered hardwood is the best option if you want a solid hardwood appearance with all of the benefits of laminate flooring. This type of flooring boasts a durable surface, a lower cost per square foot and a real wood appearance.

Instead of choosing a laminate floor for your home or business, choose a more affordable and beautiful option—engineered hardwood is a fantastic option. Contact us today to learn more about how we can install new floors in your home or business.