There are essentially two basic types of hardwood flooring: traditional hardwood and engineered wood. If you live in Florida, though, traditional hardwood flooring should be at the bottom of your list of flooring options. Wondering why? Traditional hardwood flooring just can’t take the moisture of the Florida climate. If exposed to the regular humidity of Florida, the hardwood will start to warp and bow. Within a few years, your entire flooring purchase will have been a colossal waste of money. What do you do, though, when you want the classic elegance of hardwood, but you don’t want to waste your money? Engineered wood flooring is the answer.
Understanding Engineered Wood Flooring
If you’re looking for an option that can handle the heat and humidity in Florida, engineered wood is a great choice. Unlike hardwood which is one solid piece of wood, engineered wood is made up of 6-12 layers of different types of hardwood, followed by plywood and finished with a surface veneer. The layers of hardwood (e.g., oak, poplar, pine, cedar, maple, etc.) are often oriented in different directions, pressed firmly, and adhered to each other with an adhesive. This makes the end product durable and extremely durable. The surface veneer is relatively thin but is moisture resistant. The latest engineered wood also comes coated in a specially formulated, UV-cure urethane finish that enhances durability and increases resistance to scratches. In fact, there are a number of real benefits that come with engineered wood flooring.
- Offers the same aesthetics as regular hardwood
- Available in several prefinished shades, so it can be finished to match your decor
- Extremely durable
- Can be installed in any room, including the basement
- Extremely moisture resistant
- Can withstand high foot traffic
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Scratch-resistant
A Closer Look at Installation
Unlike hardwood flooring, engineered wood is relatively easy to install. It can be glued to the cement or concrete underneath, which is convenient and fast, whereas hardwood needs to be nailed down. Further, the engineered wood planks are measured and then easily snap in place. In some cases, engineered wood can be placed over a foam underlayer without the need to nail or use glue.
Are There Drawbacks?
If you’re considering engineered wood flooring for your home, you might want to familiarize yourself with the few drawbacks of this flooring material. First, while it is available in a number of prefinished shades, there are fewer color and design options than you might find with traditional hardwood floors. This might mean you’ll have a more difficult time finding a color that matches your home decor. Moreover, it can only be sanded and refinished a few times over its lifespan. Because the top of the flooring is a fairly thin veneer, you may not be able to hide all of the flaws that could happen over time with a quick sand and refinish. That also means it can be tough to repair if one particular segment of the flooring is damaged. Also, if you do have your flooring sanded and refinished, and it’s done improperly, you may find it bowing or warping before it should. However, the other real drawback is that engineered wood is a bit more expensive than other flooring choices like luxury vinyl, ceramic tile, and laminate.
Is Engineered Wood Flooring Right For Your Home?
Despite a few negatives, engineered wood is an excellent flooring material for Florida homes. If you have high humidity where you live, engineered wood will last you a very long time, and you will save a ton of money because you will not have to replace the flooring every ten years. And most important, engineered wood will also increase the value of your home.
If you are considering flooring for your home in Florida, take your time. There’s much to learn about the various flooring materials, and looking closely at each will help you get the right option to meet your needs. Shop around, find a great flooring team to help you decide what would look best, then choose a flooring option that will make your home look great.