If you’re thinking about wood flooring in your home, you may have heard the term “Engineered Wood Flooring” on more than one occasion. Not sure what it is and whether you want it in your home? This guide can help answer your questions.
The Wood Floors of Yesterday
Traditional wood flooring was made from a single piece of wood. It was essentially a plank, often cut in a tongue-and-groove manner, then applied to the subfloor using glue, nails, staples, or a combination of all of them.
Fast Forward To Today
Traditional wood floors are still widely available in today’s market, but things are changing fast. Getting engineered hard wood floor installation instead, tends to be far more popular thanks to a combination of lower costs and enhanced durability, as well as unique looks. They’re made using multiple ply layers, usually between three and twelve, which have been cross-layered, and then glued together. The inner core is made from hardwood or soft plywood, depending on the type you buy. The top layer is a thick hardwood veneer that reflects the wood species you want to display in your home.
Are They Better?
Engineered hardwood installations do have some real benefits older wood choices just don’t. They’re more resistant to moisture, which means they can be used in areas that tend to be more humid. They can also be used on a concrete slab instead of the traditional wood subfloor. Add that to the fact that they come in a variety of widths, textures, and looks, and you have a unique product few other types of flooring can match. Some don’t even require gluing; they just float over a cork underlay.
The key to remember is that like any product, not all engineered flooring is made in the same manner. Do a bit of research on the brand you’re considering before you buy so you can find a choice that’s right for your home.