Engineered Wood Flooring Provides Superior Results Over Linoleum, Laminates, and Even Hard Wood

Wood floors have returned to popularity with a vengeance. 100 years ago, hardwood floors were, for the most part, the only floor type available to the public. Tile flooring or natural stone was reserved only for the financially elite, large companies, or government buildings due to cost. As time wore on, other flooring was developed and slowly began to diminish the frequency of traditional wood flooring.


There was a revolution throughout the 1950s through the 1970s, a linoleum revolution. Linoleum was amazing. Easy cleanup from almost any mess and durable from dropped items. Linoleum was good at hiding blemishes unlike the wood flooring of the day. Shortly after the linoleum trend had gained a strong foothold another type of flooring was invented, engineered wood floors to be precise.


Engineered floors, developed in the 1960s, should not be confused with laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is essentially a photograph of wood that has been glued with resins onto fiber board. Some laminate flooring actually has the texture of real wood grain which has been embossed into it. Laminate flooring is of the lowest quality and poorest durability of any type of wood floor on the market. Once the top laminate or photo layer has been scuffed or worn down the floor needs to be replaced.


Engineered flooring is actually a veneer of finished wood glued onto multiple layers of wood. This plywood flooring comes in many finishes, wood species, and thickness. Surprisingly, engineered wood has been proven to be more versatile and durable than traditional hard wood. The finish of most engineered wood will actually outlast the finish that has been applied in home on traditional solid wood.


Engineered wood floors, just like laminates and solid wood, are not recommended for bathrooms, laundry rooms, or wherever there is a high humidity level or a strong likelihood of excessive exposure to water. Engineered flooring, however, is perfectly acceptable in kitchens, just as hard wood can be utilized. Even basements, where solid wood flooring can't be used, are an acceptable location for engineered wood flooring. Because engineered floors do not need to be secured to the subfloor, they are more versatile than solid wood. Engineered wood floors can even be sanded and refinished a number of times depending on the thickness of the veneer.


Wood floors that is engineered can completely alter the home's feel and look without making any other changes to the home's interior and for less cost than traditional hardwood flooring. Granted, if the house is being built, then it becomes that much easier to install from the start. The choices of wood species is also amazing, so it may be a difficult choice, but it will be a choice the homeowner will be thrilled to enjoy for decades to come.