Engineered Hardwood Flooring - Differences You Must Be Aware of

Engineered hardwood flooring is a common type of wood floor seen on the market today. If you are a first time shopper for hardwood flooring, an engineered wood may be something you haven't seen yet or aren't aware of the differences between it and solid wood floors. You may also think that all engineered hardwood floors are created equal. The differences between engineered and solid can affect installation, value, and cost. You will also see after taking a closer look that there can be significant differences between the available engineered hardwood flooring offerings in the industry.

So what are the differences between engineered and solid hardwood floors?

1. The main difference is the construction of the boards. A solid hardwood board is made as a solid piece from a single cut of a specific wood species. An engineered hardwood flooring product is made of multiple layers of wood. The top layer is the actual species of wood that you see. This top layer, or veneer, as it is called, is available in almost any species imaginable. Oak, Brazilian Cherry, Maple, and Walnut are some of the more popular selections you will find that are offered. The other layers beneath the veneer are usually plywood based or other solid wood material. These layers are formed on top of one another in a perpendicular pattern. This type of construction gives the floor a very stable design and also gives added strength against expansion caused by moisture and humidity.

2. The structure difference between solid and engineered affects how the product is installed. Solid floors are usually nail down only. Engineered hardwood flooring is offered in a multitude of installation methods. You will find engineered wood products as glue down, floating floor (no glue or nails), and even an occasional nail down. Engineered can be installed over a concrete sub floor as well, which makes it a perfect option for dry basements.

3. One drawback to engineered hardwood versus solid is the refinishing capability. Solid floors can be refinished many times over the life of the product, whereas most engineered woods can be refinished only once or twice.

4. Engineered will usually cost less than a solid hardwood flooring product. Since the top layer is the only layer with the true wood species, the material cost is less, therefore the end product to you the consumer is less. Engineered hardwood doesn't add the long term value to a home that solid does but the lower upfront price gives shoppers a nice alternative for tight budgets.

When comparing engineered hardwood flooring you need to consider a few things.

1. Look at the cross section of the board design. If the layers are all solid wood, it is probably a good, solid designed product. If some of the layers look like a brown, recycled paper material, or fiberboard you will want to stay away from these products. Engineered hardwood flooring is supposed to provide a solid, structurally sound floor. These fiberboard layers do not give you the quality structure that solid wood layers provide. The large home improvement stores are the main culprits who sell this type of inferior product. Just be on the lookout for board designs that have inferior layers.

2. The number of layers will sometimes differ between engineered hardwood flooring designs. A 5 layer product is a good choice. You may run across 3 layer designs as well. The 3 layer versions are acceptable, but 5 layers are better. The added layers give extra stability to the wood which is extremely important if you are installing the floor where there could be moisture or humidity concerns.