Everything You Need To Know Before Installing Engineered Hardwood in Your Home
Engineered hardwood stands out for its durability, versatility, and wood “look,” making it a preferred choice for many homeowners. If you’re considering it for your home, this detailed guide will help you decide.
What is Engineered Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood is a wood flooring material made of multiple layers of wood bonded together under heat and pressure. The top layer is real hardwood, giving it the same look and feel as the solid hardwood you’re familiar with. The layers underneath are usually plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF), which makes it more stable and less prone to warping than solid wood.
Why Should I Choose Engineered Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood is a smart investment for homeowners due to its exceptional durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatile installation options. Here’s a closer look at why this flooring choice might be perfect for your home:
Durability and Stability
One of the biggest advantages of engineered hardwood is its resilience to temperature and humidity changes. Thanks to its layered construction, the risk of warping or cupping is significantly reduced compared to solid hardwood, making it an excellent choice for basements and other areas with fluctuating moisture levels.
Aesthetics
Engineered hardwood has a top layer of real wood, so it looks as beautiful as solid hardwood. It comes in many different species, finishes, and plank sizes to find the perfect match for your home.
Easy Installation
A few easy ways of installing engineered hardwood include floating, glueing it down, or nailing it down. This flexibility makes engineered hardwood easy to install onto various subfloors, including concrete.
Budget-Friendly
While it may cost more than laminate or vinyl flooring, engineered hardwood is usually cheaper than solid hardwood. Plus, its long-lasting durability adds to its overall value.
How Does Engineered Hardwood Compare To Other Floor Types?
Engineered hardwood offers a blend of real wood beauty and enhanced stability, making it a strong contender against other flooring options. Here’s how it stacks up:
Versus Solid Hardwood
Both options offer the beauty of real wood, but engineered hardwood is more stable and versatile. It can be installed where solid hardwood shouldn’t be, like basements and over concrete. However, because solid hardwood is thicker, it can be sanded and refinished more often than engineered hardwood.
Versus Laminate
Laminate flooring is made from a high-resolution image of wood laminated onto a fiberboard core with a protective layer. It’s more affordable and scratch-resistant but doesn’t have the same feel as real wood. Plus, laminate can’t be refinished, so its lifespan is shorter.
Versus Vinyl Plank
Vinyl plank is durable and water-resistant. It’s usually more adorable and easier to install than engineered hardwood. However, it lacks the natural warmth and beauty of real wood. Engineered hardwood, with its genuine wood veneer, provides a more authentic look and feel.
How To Pick the Right Engineered Hardwood
Choosing the right engineered hardwood flooring involves considering several key factors to meet your specific needs and preferences.
Choose the Right Wear Layer
The wear layer is the top piece of the engineered hardwood made from real hardwood. It varies in thickness, usually from 0.6mm to over 6mm. Thicker wear layers can be sanded and refinished multiple times, extending your floor’s lifespan.
Check the Core
Your engineered hardwood’s core may be made of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF). Plywood cores are typically more durable and stable, especially for wider planks. HDF cores are more affordable and still offer good stability.
Decide on the Finish
Engineered hardwood comes pre-finished or unfinished. Pre-finished floors are ready to install and come with a factory-applied finish, which is very durable. Unfinished floors let you choose your own finish and stain, perfect if you’re going for a custom look.
Choose an Installation Method
Think about which installation method will work best for you. Floating floors are the easiest to install and can go over most subfloors. Glue-down and nail-down methods are more permanent but need more preparation and skill.
Engineered Hardwood Has Environmental Benefits Too!
Why Engineered Hardwood is a Sustainable Choice
Engineered hardwood is more eco-friendly than solid hardwood. It uses less hardwood overall, reducing the use and demand for timber. Plus, many manufacturers source wood from sustainably managed forests.
Look Out for Certifications
When shopping for engineered hardwood, look for products certified by groups like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). These certifications mean the wood was harvested responsibly.
How To Maintain Your Engineered Hardwood Floors
Proper maintenance is essential to preserve the beauty and longevity of your engineered hardwood floors. Follow these simple steps to keep them looking their best:
Regular Cleaning
To keep your floors in top shape, clean them regularly. Use a soft broom or a vacuum with a hardwood attachment to get rid of dust and debris. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can damage your floor’s finish.
Preventive Care
Place mats at entryways to catch dirt and grit before it hits your floors. Use protective pads under furniture legs to avoid scratches and dents. Keep indoor humidity levels consistent to prevent the wood from expanding or contracting.
Handling Spills and Stains
Clean up spills right away to stop moisture from seeping into your floor’s wood layers. If your floors get stained, use a damp cloth and a mild cleaner made for hardwood floors. Don’t use too much water, as it can damage the wood.
How To Refinish Engineered Hardwood
Refinishing involves sanding down the wear layer to get rid of scratches and imperfections. Once that’s done, a new finish is applied. Refinishing can restore your floor’s original beauty and extend its lifespan. Depending on the wear layer’s thickness, engineered hardwood can be refinished several times.
Make Sure Your Wear Layer Can Withstand Refinishing
Before you refinish, make sure the wear layer is thick enough to be sanded down. Floors with a wear layer of 2mm or more can usually be sanded and refinished. If the wear layer is too thin, refinishing could harm your floor, and may not be an option.
Should You DIY or Hire a Pro?
While some people take on refinishing as a DIY project, hiring a professional ensures that your floors get taken care of and you the best results. Professionals have the right tools and know-how to sand and refinish your floor evenly to make it look like new.
Minnesota Homeowners Get a Little Help From Dave’s Floor Sanding
When you need a professional touch on your wood flooring project, trust Dave’s Floor Sanding and Installation. For over 40 years, homeowners and builders have relied on our highly skilled team for all their hardwood flooring needs. We handle everything without subcontractors or commissions, ensuring top-notch quality from start to finish.
Get inspired by checking out our wood flooring services for your home!