Engineered Wood Flooring What Is

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring is a type of flooring made from multiple layers of wood, with a top layer of real hardwood and a base layer of less expensive wood or other materials. The layers are bonded together with adhesives and heat, creating a durable and stable flooring option that is less expensive than solid hardwood flooring.

Engineered wood flooring is available in a wide variety of species, colors, and finishes, making it a versatile option for any décor. It is also more durable than solid hardwood flooring, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, hallways, and living rooms.

Engineered wood flooring is installed in much the same way as solid hardwood flooring, using either a nail-down or glue-down method. It can be installed over a variety of subfloors, including concrete, plywood, and OSB.

Benefits of Engineered Wood Flooring

There are many benefits to choosing engineered wood flooring over other types of flooring, including:

Durability: Engineered wood flooring is more durable than solid hardwood flooring, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas.
Stability: Engineered wood flooring is less likely to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, making it a good choice for areas with fluctuating temperatures.
Versatility: Engineered wood flooring is available in a wide variety of species, colors, and finishes, making it a versatile option for any décor.
Cost: Engineered wood flooring is less expensive than solid hardwood flooring, making it a more affordable option.

Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Flooring

There are also some disadvantages to choosing engineered wood flooring, including:

Refinishing: Engineered wood flooring can only be refinished a few times, unlike solid hardwood flooring which can be refinished multiple times.
Water resistance: Engineered wood flooring is not as water resistant as solid hardwood flooring, so it is not a good choice for areas that are prone to moisture.
Authenticity: Engineered wood flooring is not as authentic as solid hardwood flooring, as it has a layer of less expensive wood or other materials beneath the top layer of real hardwood.

Overall

Engineered wood flooring is a durable, versatile, and affordable flooring option. It is a good choice for high-traffic areas and areas with fluctuating temperatures. However, it is not as water resistant or authentic as solid hardwood flooring, and it can only be refinished a few times.