If you’re looking for a durable flooring material with a classic look, you may want to consider engineered wood flooring. With the beauty of solid wood and the durability of laminate, this material can be used with most design styles and many rooms. Here’s what you need to know when deciding if this flooring option is right for your home.
What Is Solid Wood Laminate Flooring?
Unlike solid wood, engineered wood flooring has a top or “wear-resistant” layer made of solid wood covered with a multi-layer plywood core. The thickness of the top layer and core will vary depending on the design and manufacturer. In terms of total thickness, engineered wood boards range in thickness from as thin as a quarter of an inch (6.35 mm) to as thick as three-quarters of an inch (19 mm, or the traditional thickness of a solid wood floor). The thickness of the wear layer usually reflects the quality of the product. The industry standard is 2 to 6 mm, and thicker wear layers generally indicate a better product.
Advantages of Engineered Wood
Engineered wood flooring is available in a variety of woods, including oak, maple, hickory, birch, cherry, and walnut, as well as exotic woods such as African mahogany and tigerwood. It is available in a variety of widths, from thin to wide planks, and offers a special look, such as the multi-tone shown in this photo, or the hand-scraped as shown in the previous photo.
All wood products, whether solid or engineered, are susceptible to damage from flooding or standing water, so they should not come into contact with large amounts of water. However, engineered wood is more stable than solid wood because its core has multiple layers, making it less likely to expand, contract, or shift when exposed to moisture, humidity, and temperature changes. Its stability reduces the likelihood of warping of all solid woods, especially wide solid wood boards. The stability of engineered wood makes it a good choice for places where solid wood should not be installed, such as concrete floors or radiant heating systems.
Since this material has more thickness than solid wood, it can be a good choice if you need thin wood (for example, to match the height of adjacent floors).
Engineered wood may be less expensive than solid wood, but the price tag of a premium range with a thick top layer, artistic design, and enhanced durability can be comparable to solid wood.
Engineered wood is also a great way to achieve the look of a farmhouse-style main wide plank wood floor. In fact, if you want planks that are more than 5 inches wide, engineered wood or reclaimed wood may be your only option.
A century ago, lumberjacks would cut down large trees and make them into planks 10 or 12 inches wide to serve as flooring. But the growing interest in preserving old-growth forests eventually led the industry to shift towards sustainability, and today loggers are no longer cutting down trees as large (and wide) as they were 100 years ago. That’s why solid wood boards are expensive and usually have a maximum width of 5 inches. In contrast, engineered wood boards are 10 inches or more wide. (To ensure that your engineered wood products are harvested sustainably, check the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.) ）
How to Install Engineered Wood Flooring?
Engineered planks are often constructed in a tongue-and-groove structure that snaps in or snaps together, making DIY installation a convenient option for homeowners. Engineered planks can be installed using staples or glue, or they can simply be placed on the subfloor – no fixatives or nails are required. This means that engineered wood can be installed on concrete floors or radiant heat. In contrast, hardwood floors often have to be fastened with nails and cannot be installed on these types of subfloors.
Disadvantages of Hardwood Flooring
Not all hardwood floors are created equal. Some products are built to last, while others are of inferior quality, so be sure to do your research before making a choice.
While many products are thick enough to look and feel like solid wood, some engineered planks sound more hollow underfoot. The installation method will have an impact here – nailing or gluing the planks to the subfloor tends to reduce this hollow sound. Again, check with the manufacturer to find out how your preferred installation method affects how hollow your floor sounds.
Engineered flooring can handle humidity fluctuations better than hardwood flooring, but it may still not be the best choice in bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, or other areas where flooding can be a problem. Check with your contractor on how to use hardwood flooring in these areas of your home.
Can You Repair Hardwood Floors?
While solid wood can be patched multiple times, engineered wood may be sanded and repaired less often throughout the life of the floor. The thicker the wear layer, the more sanding the engineered floor can withstand.
If you have pets and kids and are worried about scratches, I recommend choosing a thicker layer of engineered wood so you can sand and patch up your floor if you need to.
Special Precautions
Engineered and manufactured wood products are made with adhesives and resins, most of which emit potentially harmful gases. However, some engineered products are specifically designed to not produce exhaust gases. If you’re concerned about this, contact the manufacturer of the product you’re considering to see if their product meets your needs.
How Do You Clean Engineered Wood?
Engineered wood flooring is easy to maintain. Simply sweep or vacuum daily and wipe with a cloth dampened with water. Avoid using ammonia, harsh detergents, scouring pads, or steel wool. It’s always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer’s other recommendations.