The Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Traditional hardwood flooring is beautiful. Whether you choose strip, plank or parquet design, it can enhance the aesthetics of your home and last for many years. The drawback of solid hardwood, however, is that it does not handle heat or humidity well and can become damaged beyond repair if these problems persist. To avoid this, some homeowners choose laminate, but it can’t be sanded and must be completely replaced if damaged. Engineered hardwood resolves both these issues.

Improvements to Adaptability
Engineered hardwood is constructed in layers. The lower layers consist of plywood and high-density fibers that are pressure-glued together. This allows them to expand and contract without damage as the temperature or humidity levels change. The top layer is a hardwood veneer. It looks and feels like real hardwood because it is. The wood is just supported by a composite that provides more durability than solid planks or strips. Because of this support, the top layer is less likely to warp or buckle from water damage that seeps into the base of the floor.

Ability To Refinish
One reason that hardwood flooring outlasts laminate is that it can be sanded down if it gets marred or scuffed. After the offending marks are removed, a finish is applied and the floor looks like new. You don’t give up this benefit when you choose engineered hardwood. The layer of real wood on top can also be sanded a few times before the nails start standing out. This ability to refinish the floor’s surface means that you can keep your floor looking great longer than any laminate product you can buy.

When you are looking for a hardwood flooring solution that will last a long time and withstand any drastic changes in temperature and humidity that the climate in your area should bring, consider engineered hardwood. Talk to your contractor about the flooring options that are right for your home.