Lakes Collection

Engineered European Oak

5/8″ Thick

4mm Venner

UV Finish

7.5″ x 72″ ( random length)

About Engineered Hardwood Flooring

When it comes to hard surface flooring, there are a lot of options, from genuine white oak hardwood to resilient luxury vinyl that mimics real hardwood down to the grain patterns. Oftentimes, when there are a lot of options to choose from, it can seem overwhelming, and many questions begin to form. Such as, what’s the difference when it comes to solid vs. engineered hardwood?

An engineered wood floor is constructed of layers of both hardwood and plywood, whereas solid hardwood is a solid piece of wood with no layers.

Hardwood flooring is a great way to add timeless pizzazz to any room! What should you consider when choosing between engineered and solid hardwood? Let’s learn about engineered hardwood:

• Engineered hardwood construction has durable, high-performance qualities.
• It is constructed with multi-layers of wood; each layer is positioned in a different direction. This construction prevents the engineered hardwood from warping and bowing the way a hardwood floor might in moist areas.
• Its advantage over solid hardwood is that the construction allows for installation in most grade levels of the home, including below ground with a protective moisture barrier installed.
• A hardwood veneer gives the natural wood beauty & look to the engineered floor just as a solid hardwood floor does.
• Engineered hardwood offers easy care and maintenance.

Engineered Hardwood vs. Prefinished Solid Hardwood

Engineered hardwood flooring and prefinished solid hardwood are 2 different floors. Each has its uses and requirements so it is important to understand what each is. First, we will go over prefinished solid hardwood. This option is a solid piece of flooring and does not have a “core”, the core is the wood that is on top and bottom. The flooring is one piece of tree and contains no extra materials like glue or binder. Engineered hardwood is a floor that has a veneer and a core attached to the veneer. This option usually has 3-9 layers of core that are small layers of something like a birch or similar plywood.

Which Option is better?

Each option has its pros and cons. The prefinished solid hardwood usually has fewer color variations and is susceptible to movement. However, the flooring can be resanded multiple times, usually 5-6. The engineered hardwood has more color options but is not typically a domestic product and is limited on the ability to resand, some floors can be handed once or twice but most cannot.

Places Engineered Hardwood Can Be Installed

Engineered hardwood flooring can be installed throughout the house no matter what level it is being installed on. Due to the multiple layers, the flooring is slightly more dimensionally stable. This means you can install it upstairs, on ground level, or in a basement. However, please remember that water for any flooring will cause mold, movement, and other issues – even waterproof flooring.

Glue vs. Nail vs. Floating Engineered Flooring

Different manufacturers require different installation methods. We recommend with any engineered floor to at least glue assist and nail or full trowel glue. The reason for using glue is that most engineered hardwood floors are over 5″ which requires glue to be installed correctly and for longevity of the floor. Typically you will find that with these larger-width boards without glue you will have pop and cracking since the wood is not thick enough for the nail to properly secure the wood. After months of wood movement, the nails become loose and there is not enough meat on the boards to be held down. Glue will generally solve all your engineered problems and create less of a headache years down the road. Once the floor is nailed down there is no way to go back and appropriately add glue to make the floor not squeaky. The most common and secure way of installing engineered floors is a full trowel or glue assist.

Does Engineered Hardwood Last as Long as Solid Hardwood?

The durability of your flooring depends on two key factors: the quality of the flooring itself and your lifestyle. Solid wood flooring has an impressive lifespan because it can be sanded multiple times, typically up to 5-6 times. In contrast, most engineered flooring products can only withstand sanding twice at most. The ability to resand engineered flooring depends on the thickness of its wear layer; for instance, a 4mm wear layer can usually be sanded, while thinner 1mm veneers cannot. Solid wood, for reference, typically comes with a 7mm wear layer.

It’s important to note that when you initially sand your floor, you’ll likely need to perform a substantial sanding because many floors have textured finishes like wire brushing or hand scraping that must be removed. Additionally, if your flooring has a bevel, this must also be smoothed out during the sanding process. Engineered floors are less forgiving when it comes to water damage, as solid hardwood can often be salvaged and resanded. However, in a home without issues like water damage, the wood will last just as long if you recoat it. Keep in mind that some floors may not be suitable for recoating with either oil- or water-based products, so caution is required in those cases.

Is Engineered Hardwood a Green Product?

While it is probably more green than laminate or say a luxury vinyl flooring floor, engineered hardwood is still not the most green flooring option. Solid hardwood is probably the most green process you can have. Hey, we might sound like we are talking down engineered hardwood, but we tell the trust and we do sell it. This information is not just for our products but ALL engineered products.

So what is not so green?

For starters, the wood usually comes from other countries (USA China!) to China or Vietnam for production. This means before the wood is milled it is shipped in log form from the USA to China or Vietnam. Then the wood is milled down for the vanner. After this, the wood is attached to each layer with glue. After the floor is done it is then shipped again on large cargo ships from China to the USA. The worst part is every piece of flooring is in a box that is wrapped in plastic and the whole pallet is then wrapped in plastic as well. While we might make it sound terrible, if you are worried about green options, it might be ideal to stick to solid hardwood.

Key Points of Engineered Products-

• Engineered hardwood flooring can have an impressive lifespan, potentially lasting for centuries under normal use. However, this durability can be affected by external factors such as water damage.
• One significant advantage of engineered hardwood is its wide range of color options, which makes it appealing to homeowners. They can easily select a sample and visualize how the product will look in their home, whereas this is not as straightforward with solid wood.
• Another attractive aspect of engineered flooring is its cost-effectiveness. Some engineered products are more budget-friendly than solid wood, and homeowners can save money by opting for DIY installation.
• Engineered hardwood is known for its strong finish, particularly when it features aluminum oxide. This finish can withstand a lot of wear and tear, making it a top choice for abrasion resistance.
• Additionally, many homeowners appreciate the peace of mind that comes with a warranty when choosing engineered flooring.

However, it’s crucial to emphasize that for all these advantages to be realized, the installation must be carried out correctly by a reputable professional installer who follows industry guidelines closely. Engineered wood offers fantastic color options and enhanced stability, especially for wider boards, but it’s essential to choose an experienced installer for the best results.