Why Homeowners Love Engineered Hardwood Flooring
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Engineered wood flooring continues to increase in popularity — and with good reason.
Do you love the look of wood floors, but aren’t sure about the expense, installation time and upkeep? Then engineered wood floors are a terrific alternative. As a matter of fact, about 40 percent of all prefinished hardwood flooring sold in the U.S. is actually engineered wood flooring.
What is an engineered hardwood floor?
Invented in the 1960s, engineered wood floors are made from real wood, just like solid hardwood. The difference is what lies beneath the surface. Instead of one solid plank, manufacturers glue together thin wood layers under high pressure to create these boards.
This multi-layer construction allows for a more dimensionally stable plank that flooring contractors can install below, on or above grade. This means it’s typically less susceptible to the effects of moisture and humidity.
Another reason home remodelers love it so much is that, unlike solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can also go directly over certain types of old flooring. This saves on demolition costs, mess, dust and job duration.
Engineered flooring styles to match your home
Engineered wood is available in wide, medium and narrow plank widths. Manufacturers construct the flooring from a variety of wood species, including oak, maple, hickory, walnut — and even mango!
Today, manufacturers have perfected the art of styling the veneer to mimic timeworn looks and finishes that recall the way wood used to be milled and finished by hand. Multidimensional staining, hand-scraping, chatter marks and wire brush are just a few effects that continue to attract designers and architects.
Lower costs, less time wasted
With solid hardwood, contractors install the site-finished flooring in stages. It takes one day to lay the floor, another to apply the first coat of stain or finish and usually another coat the next day. That adds up to several days of labor and inconvenience, as you can’t walk across your new floor until the finish dries. Also, the uniformity and appearance of the urethane application depends largely on the finisher's skill level.
Engineered hardwood floors typically come ready to install out of the box, so the floor is ready for you to walk on as soon as it is installed. Unlike solid wood flooring, you can often install engineered wood right over an existing floor or concrete slab. So the material is generally less expensive than solid hardwood, which costs much more to harvest and produce, and installation costs significantly less.
Engineered wood floors are easy to maintain
These are low-maintenance products. Use a broom, the soft flooring attachment of a vacuum cleaner or a microfiber dust mop to pick up dust, dirt and debris regularly.
Don’t apply soap and water. A light, damp mop and mild floor cleaner are usually all you need to keep your floors looking beautiful.
But be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s care and maintenance guidelines first. This way you won’t risk accidentally voiding your warranty while trying to clean your engineered hardwood floors.
Can you sand and refinish engineered hardwood?
One appealing feature of traditional hardwood is the ability to refinish it to look like new again. What some people are surprised to learn is that flooring contractors can sand and refinish many engineered wood flooring products just like their solid counterparts.
Always check with your flooring store or the manufacturer’s website, though, because not all engineered hardwood flooring allow for sanding and refinishing. If the floor has a wear layer of less than 2 millimeters, often a light scuff sanding with a buffer will bring a fresh look to the floors.
With a thicker top layer, you may be able to sand and refinish just as you would a solid wood floor. Say goodbye to dents and scratches as you restore the floor to its original glory.
Some engineered hardwood flooring products with a 3-millimeter or more top layer can actually handle up to two rounds of sanding in their lifetime. But again, always consult the manufacturer to ensure best results and avoid unnecessary errors.
Be even more cautious with stylized flooring that features hand-scraping, authentic knots, wormholes, saw marks and chatter marks or other design elements. Whether it is solid or engineered, hardwood flooring can lose some or all of these effects during the sanding process. The good news is new chemical maintenance agents are on the market to refresh floor finishes to help preserve those characteristics.
Talk to a flooring professional
If you have questions about sanding an existing floor or installing a new one, it’s always best to contact a flooring specialist first.
Leaders Floors [About Us]
At Leaders Floors, we deliver top quality and customized solutions for Interior and Exterior Flooring Concepts. We have a wide range of products and designs to choose from, manufactured using best technology in the world. We have developed unique abilities with vast product knowledge and trade experience of offering right service and value for money to our clients.
At Leaders Floors, we deliver top quality and customized solutions for Interior and Exterior Flooring Concepts. We have a wide range of products and designs to choose from, manufactured using best technology in the world. We have developed unique abilities with vast product knowledge and trade experience of offering right service and value for money to our clients.
