Hardwood floors are extremely popular; and with good reason. They’re easy to clean, long-lasting and most of all – beautiful. Most consider true hardwood flooring the best. However, there are many options on the market today that only an expert can tell is not authentic wood. They are just as beautiful and some say more practical, for a number of reasons.
One of these options is engineered wood flooring.
What is Engineered Wood Flooring?
This type of flooring is a man-made, wood product. Consisting of five to nine layers, the wood is laminated together using a cross-ply construction method. The top layer of engineered wood flooring is made from a solid wood veneer. It’s known as the “wear layer.” How thick this layer is determines how much it costs. The thicker this layer, the more expensive the flooring.
Advantages of Engineered Wood Flooring over True Hardwood Flooring
- Moisture Resistant: Remember, this type of flooring is constructed using a cross-ply method. What this means is that the plies are alternately layered in the opposite direction. This increases the dimensional stability and resists moisture better than authentic hardwood flooring, which tends to gap and get cracks over time.
- Easy to Install: Engineered wood flooring is usually constructed with a tongue-and-groove pattern. This makes it easy to install, because all you have to do is snap it together.
- Use All Over the Home: Because engineered wood flooring can withstand many types of temperature and humidity changes – in addition to being moisture resistant – it can be installed all over the house. Hardwood flooring, on the other hand, is not practical for some rooms.
There are several types of engineered wood flooring. A local flooring contractor can help you select the best option for your home.
