Learn more about engineered hardwood flooring, a modern alternative to traditional hardwood.
Kim Cornelison
Known for durability and style,hardwood floorshave been a go-to flooring option for centuries.
However, hardwood trees are slow growers and the demand for beautiful, durable floors isnt slowing down.
Credit:Kim Cornelison
The word engineered is a technical term for wood boards that have been formed using wood pieces and adhesives.
While there are many types of engineered woods, the most common is plywood.
What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Credit: Adam Albright
Because of this design, engineered wood looks virtually the same as traditional hardwood once installed.
However, this is only true when compared laterally.
For instance, high-performance exotic engineered flooring might be more expensive than standard solid red-oak flooring.
Credit: David Patterson
Many options even join with a locking click, requiring no special fasteners, which makes installation even faster.
Installation Flexibility:Engineered wood flooring performs in environments that solid wood flooring simply cant.
This includes installation on top of radiant floor heating, concrete slabs, basements, and humid environments.
Floors with a wear layer of less than 2mm should only be lightly buffed.
Prone to Fading:Engineered wood is prone to fading in the sun.
VOCs:Because engineered flooring is constructed with adhesives and chemicals, there is a risk ofVOC off-gassing.
This is when VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are released from the floor after installation.
While this isnt an issue with all engineered floors, cheaper varieties are more prone to off-gassing.
Pay close attention to your manufacturers instructions and look for floors with low- or no-VOC labels.
Below are the most popular engineeredwood varietiesin the market.
Laminated Veneer Lumber
Also known as LVL.
Laminated Strand Lumber
Also known as LSL.
Plywood
The OG, if you will, of the engineered wood world.
Wear Layer Thickness:The thicker the wear layer is, the more times the floor can be refinished.
Wear Layer Hardness:A harder wear layer results in a more durable floor.
Core Thickness:A thicker core will result in a more durable floor.
Generally speaking, the more layers the better.
Budget ($2 to $5 per sq.
Average ($6 to $10 per sq.
Premium: ($11 to $18 per sq.
Spills should be immediately wiped up to avoid water damage.
For best results, a gentlefloor cleaneris recommended unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
However, you still need to be quick to clean up urine to avoid leaving behind stains.
These floors can last 20-30 years.
you’ve got the option to use a microfibre mop when washing and a soft-bristled broom when sweeping.
