Engineered Hardwood
Hardwood floors give any room a warm and cozy feeling. Want to add a welcoming and beautiful ambiance to your home? Nothing is comparable to the simplicity and natural beauty of engineered hardwood flooring. With its character and elegant style, even the most basic room will become unique. You can't go wrong with engineered hardwood floors.
Engineered hardwood flooring is a more affordable option for people who want the look and feel of solid hardwood floors. This type of flooring features a real wooden surface layer and plywood core to give the warmth and natural beauty of genuine wooden planks.
Engineered hardwood floors are actually easier to install, more resistant to water, and less expensive than solid wood flooring and they allow you to achieve the same look!
If you’re interested in getting some classic wooden floors to enhance your home’s decor and style, then this is definitely an option to consider.
What Is Engineered Hardwood?
To put it simply, engineered hardwood consists of stacked layers of wood veneers that are glued together. These are then cut to resemble wooden planks. There are two different wood layers: the wear or veneer layer and the core.
- Wear Layer: This is a layer of real wood that will give your floors the look and feel that you desire. There are many different species of wood to choose from that come in different colors or shades to match your home’s interior.
- Core Layer: There are different types of core layers including plywood, HDF, and SPC. Plywood is the most common and offers excellent stability and durability, HDF consists of multiple layers of plywood and is also considered one of the most stable core options. SPC cores consist of limestone and plastic so that they are extremely durable and water-resistant.
How Long Does Engineered Hardwood Flooring Last?
Engineered hardwood flooring is a popular option because it can last for many years without needing to be replaced. Its longevity depends on the thickness of the wear or veneer layer. Thinner planks can last between 20 and 30 years, while thicker ones can last up to 80 years.
The quality also makes a difference here. Cheaper engineered planks probably won’t last as long as higher-quality, more expensive ones.
Engineered flooring should have at least three layers but you should try to choose an option with at least 5 to ensure you get the most out of your floors.
Can Engineered Hardwood Be Refinished?
One of the main differences between engineered hardwood and solid wood floors is that you can only refinish engineered hardwood once or twice depending on the thickness of the veneer layer.
Thicker veneers should be able to be sanded and refinished once or twice so that you can erase any scratches that appear over the years of use. With thinner veneers, you can apply a coat of finish, but you can’t sand them down to remove scratches.
Does Engineered Hardwood Need Underlayment?
Underlayment is an absolute must for engineered hardwood flooring. This acts as a barrier between the subfloor and the flooring and protects it from any moisture that may seep through.
An underlay also provides some added comfort as it forms an extra layer of padding under the engineered floor. This not only ensures a smooth and even surface, but it helps keep your floors warmer during the winter months.
