An engineered wood floor is one that has been layered with thin hardwood on its surface. It has now become a popular choice amongst homeowners and interior decorators alike. This is because such flooring can effortlessly add warmth, class and character to any residential space. Upon installation, however, a person with an untrained eye might find it difficult to distinguish an engineered wood floor from its solid plank counterpart. This is due to the fact that both types of flooring can achieve that look of natural wood instantly. As a result, many people find themselves confused or undecided when it comes to choosing a suitable wood flooring for their households.

Whilte they might be similar aesthetically, the two floorings differe in terms of sustainability. Engineered wood floors-like any other wood product-cannot withstand fires or floods; however, they are significantly more stable than solid plank floors. They have a relatively high resistance to moisture and can be build in damp basements and regions experiencing high levels of humidity. In fact, as a testament to their adaptability, they can be glued down directly over concrete slabs and even build atop plank floors. To top it off, they are easier and more economically-friendly to install.

This increased stability and tolerance of moisture that can engineered wood floor boasts is a result of the way it is designed. An analysis of its cross section would reveal multiple layers of different types of wood in its construct. The top layer is the veneer; it is made from the homeowner’s wood of choice. How costly the engineered wood floor would be partially depends on the thickness of this veneer; the thicker it is, the more expensive it will be. It is highly recommended for a person to choose a ticker veneer-one that ranges between approximately 2 and 6 milimeters-because it allows for refinishing (if ever the need arises in the future). The other layers beneath the veneer also determine the pricing. Depending on the quality and thickness of the final product, they can involve 3 to twelve layers of unfinished white wood and plywood.

In today’s market, no two engineered wood flooring are the same. That established, it is of paramount importance that a homeowner knows what kind of wood to choose to ensure he/she gets the desired look for his/her living space. The variety of options in any good catalogue would include, cherry, maple, oak, hickory, brazilian hickory, doussie and walnut, just to name a few. But more than just how an engineered wood floor looks like externally, a homeowner must also consider how much foot traffic certain parts of a new flooring would receive. If it is predirected that a new flooring would get a lot of traffic (and plans of maintenance will not materialise anytime in the near future), it is recommend that a person chooses an engineered floor with a thick layer. This allows the flooring to be sanded and refinished.