The best engineered hardwood flooring is the kind you love and use for years to come. Buying a product that meets your needs isn’t just about price it’s about finding something that will stand up over time. If you’re ready to take the plunge, here are some considerations:
Sure, here’s the single column takeaway table based on the title:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Understanding the benefits of engineered wood flooring |
| Knowing the factors to consider when buying engineered wood flooring |
| Learning how to install engineered wood flooring |
| Comprehending how to care for engineered wood flooring |
| Knowing how it compares to other flooring options |
Consider How You’ll Use The Room
It’s very important to consider how you’ll use the room. Will it be a place of high traffic, or will it be used only occasionally?
How often will it be used? If you’re planning on using your hardwood floor in a high-traffic space like the living room, then durability is likely to be more important than aesthetics.
For example, engineered wood floors are less expensive than solid wood and easier to care for because they don’t need to be refinished as often.
If you have small children or pets who may cause a lot of wear and tear on your flooring planks, then engineered hardwood could also be an ideal choice because they can withstand heavy foot traffic without becoming damaged over time (as long as you keep up with regular cleaning).
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Look Into Installation Options
Floating (or glue-down) flooring is the easiest to install, as it’s just a matter of pushing the planks into place. You can do this yourself or hire an installation company to do it for you.
Glue-down floors are installed in two ways: either they’re glued to the subfloor before being placed on top of it, or they’re glued down once they’ve been installed.
Glue-downs are considered permanent, so if you decide to move later on and take your wood floor with you, this will be much more difficult than with a floating/nail-down option.
Nail-down floors require more labor and tools than floating ones, but they’re considered more temporary because they can be easily removed if necessary.
It’s best to consult an expert before installing these types of floors if you don’t want any surprises when moving house!
Installation Options
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Floating | This method involves snapping the planks together with the help of a tongue and groove system. The planks are not attached to the subfloor but instead float on top of an underlayment layer. This method is considered the easiest and most popular option for DIY installation. |
| Glue-Down | In this method, the planks are adhered directly to the subfloor using a special adhesive. This method requires a higher level of skills and experience and is best left to professional installers. |
| Nail-Down | The planks are secured to the subfloor with nails or staples using a special pneumatic nailer device. This method is typically used for solid hardwood floors and requires professional installation. |
| Staple-Down | This method is similar to nail-down installation, except staples are used instead of nails. This method is also generally used for solid hardwood floors and requires professional installation. |
| Full-Spread Adhesive | In this method, an adhesive is spread all over the subfloor, and the planks are placed on top of it. This method offers a more secure and stable installation, but it requires professional installation and takes longer to install. |
Learn About Engineered Hardwood Flooring Construction
You should also learn about the construction of engineered hardwood floors. Engineered hardwood flooring is made up of two or three layers that are glued together: a top layer (the finish layer), which gives the floor its characteristic color and gloss
A core layer, which consists of multiple thin layers of hardwood (often as many as 18); and an underlayment on top of that.
The top layer has been designed to be durable enough to protect the core layers but still allow them to expand and contract with changes in humidity levels.
The spongy nature of this design makes it ideal for homes where there’s lots of moisture, like bathrooms or kitchens! It’s easy on your joints when you walk across it too—more on this later!
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Choose A Surface Texture And Gloss
When you’re choosing a floor, it’s important to consider the surface texture. There are many different options available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
For example, if you have pets or kids running around your home, then a high-gloss finish will be more suitable for you than one with low shine it’ll be easier to clean up pet hair and spills!
If you’re going for a more rustic look in your home decor (and don’t mind the maintenance), then an antique-style finish might work better than something shinier.
Find The Right Color And Wood Species
First, you’ll want to consider the look and feel of your hardwood floors. Different wood species have different looks and feels.
Oak, for example, is a very popular choice because it has a medium-dark color with dark brown streaks that give it warmth.
Cherry is another good choice because it’s lighter in color than oak and has a red hue that makes it pop.
You’ll also want to consider the durability of each type of wood: some are more durable than others—for example, cherry tends to be less scratch-resistant than oak because it has fewer pores and therefore less oil content.
Wood species can vary in price as well; some species like hickory or maple cost more than others due to their scarcity or special characteristics (such as being lightweight).
Engineered hardwood flooring is quickly becoming a popular choice for homeowners due to its durability and affordability. Our guide on buying engineered hardwood floors covers everything from selecting the right materials to understanding the installation process to help you make an informed decision for your home.
Ask About Warranty Coverage
To be sure that you are buying a quality hardwood floor, it’s important to know what kind of warranty coverage is offered.
For engineered hardwood floors, ask for at least 25 years of coverage on the decking and at least 10 years on the wear layer. However, some manufacturers offer even longer warranties than those numbers up to 50 years in total!
Look for this information when shopping around so that you can choose a product that has reliable protection against defects and failure during its lifespan.
Additionally, check into whether each manufacturer has a free replacement policy as well as an installation warranty; these details may influence your decision more than anything else because they will provide peace of mind when moving into your new home or apartment with engineered flooring already installed in every room.
Warranty Coverage
| Warranty Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Finish Warranty | A finish warranty covers the damage or deterioration of the floor’s topcoat, which protects the hardwood underneath. This warranty typically lasts from 5 to 35 years and will cover issues such as peeling, cracking, or staining of the finish. |
| Structural Warranty | A structural warranty covers changes to the hardwood’s physical structure, such as warping, buckling, cupping, and twisting. This warranty typically lasts from 10 to 50 years and will cover issues caused by manufacturing defects, substandard materials, and improper installation. |
| Wear Warranty | A wear warranty covers the amount of wear or damage a floor can withstand before it needs to be replaced. This warranty typically lasts from 10 to 50 years and will cover issues such as wear-through, fading, and staining caused by traffic, sunlight, and other factors. |
| Moisture Warranty | A moisture warranty covers issues caused by moisture-related damage, such as mold and mildew growth, floor cupping, and discoloration. This warranty typically lasts from 1 to 5 years and will cover issues caused by the floor’s exposure to moisture levels outside of normal conditions. |
| Installation Warranty | An installation warranty covers issues caused by improper installation, such as planks not being placed correctly, subfloor level issues, and incorrect installation methods. This warranty typically lasts from 1 to 5 years and only applies if the installation was done by the manufacturer or a professional installer. |
Select A Plank Width
The plank width you choose is a matter of personal preference, but it can also affect the look of your floor. If you have a small room, for example, consider using a narrower plank. A wider plank might make your room seem even smaller than it already is.
On the other hand, if you have quite possibly the largest living space on Earth and are looking to fill up every inch with hardwood flooring (and who wouldn’t?), consider going with a wider plank it will give your home’s appearance more dimension and make it feel less claustrophobic!
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Determine Price Point
Price point is determined by the quality of the engineered hardwood floor you are looking to purchase.
This can be affected by a number of factors, including thickness and durability. While the price of engineered hardwood floors tends to be higher than their solid wood counterparts, they can provide a great balance between design flexibility and cost effectiveness.
When determining your budget for an engineered hardwood flooring project, it’s important to consider both initial costs (i.e., installation) as well as long-term maintenance costs (i.e., upkeep).
As with any large purchase such as this one, there are many factors involved in determining whether or not you’re getting your money’s worth out of your investment in engineered hardwoods; some companies offer samples so that potential customers can test drive different styles before making a decision on which type suits them best!
Check For Moisture Resistance
When you’re shopping for flooring, it’s important to consider moisture resistance. Your home will have different levels of humidity at different times throughout the year, and moisture resistance is an important consideration for any flooring material whether it’s engineered hardwood or solid wood.
The good news is that engineered hardwood floors are more resistant to moisture than solid hardwood floors.
They’re also better able to withstand changes in humidity levels, which makes them ideal for areas like bathrooms and kitchens that get wet often.
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Factor In Maintenance Costs
When you’re considering the maintenance costs of hardwood, it’s important to think about the cost of cleaning, refinishing and repairing.
In addition to these factors, you should also consider the cost of disposing of your flooring if it becomes unusable.
Look For Certification Seals That Indicate Environmental Stewardship.
When you’re buying hardwood flooring, look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification seal. This seal indicates that sustainable forest management practices are being used in the harvesting of wood.
The FSC certification is one of the most widely accepted sustainability standards for wood products.
You should also look for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certification seal, which applies to both hardwood and softwood lumber from certified growers and suppliers.
To ensure that your hardwood meets high environmental standards, look for any one of these seals: Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), American Tree Farm System (ATFS), or Sustainable Forestry Initiative-USA (SFI-US).
Consider Formaldehyde Content In Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood floors are made from multiple layers of wood glued together. That’s why they cost less than solid wood.
The glue that holds the wood together can contain a chemical called formaldehyde, which has been linked to health problems like respiratory issues, skin irritation and cancer. It’s also been found in some engineered hardwood flooring products sold in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA regulates how much formaldehyde is allowed in finished consumer products such as furniture or flooring materials—but it doesn’t regulate chemicals like plywood used in the manufacturing process because these materials aren’t meant for consumer use (only when they become part of finished products).
You can find out if your engineered hardwood floor contains formaldehyde by looking at its average emissions rating on its label; if it’s greater than 0.016 pounds per square foot per year (psf-yr), then you could be dealing with an excessive amount of this material in your home.
Compare Thickness Of Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood floors are much more durable and long-lasting than standard wood flooring.
This is because they contain layers of compressed wood, which makes them harder and more resistant to regular wear and tear.
The thickness of the engineered hardwood floor can vary from 1/4″ to 1″. The thicker the engineered hardwood floor, the higher its durability will be.
Thicker floors will last longer because they’re less likely to warp or bend, but this also makes them more expensive.
If you’re interested in purchasing a thicker engineered hardwood floor for your home or office, keep in mind that most manufacturers don’t offer this option unless specifically requested by customers. If you want a thinner product, then consider buying one instead!
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this guide to engineered hardwood floors helpful. Now it’s time to get into the details of how they’re constructed so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not they’re right for your space.
Further Reading
The Best Engineered Wood Flooring Options: This Forbes article includes an in-depth review of the best-engineered wood flooring options in the market and factors to consider when buying.
4 Key Things to Know Before Buying Engineered Hardwood Flooring: This blog post by Wide Plank Flooring shares crucial information that buyers must know before buying engineered hardwood flooring, such as moisture levels, top layer thickness, design options, and more.
All About Engineered Wood Floors: This Old House’s comprehensive guide provides readers with everything they need to know about engineered wood floors, including how it’s made, benefits, installation steps, care, and maintenance tips.
FAQs
What is engineered wood flooring?
Engineered wood flooring is a type of flooring material that combines layers of different wood species or composite material topped with a solid wood wear layer for added durability.
How does engineered wood flooring differ from solid wood flooring?
Unlike solid wood flooring, engineered wood is more durable and less prone to warping and shrinking due to changes in humidity levels. Engineered wood floors are also more affordable and easier to install.
Is engineered wood flooring suitable for all areas of the home?
Engineered wood flooring is versatile and can be used in almost any area of your home. However, it’s important to choose the correct product for the specific environment, such as a waterproof engineered wood floor for basements or bathrooms.
How is engineered wood flooring installed?
Engineered wood flooring can be installed using several installation methods, including floating, glue-down, nail-down, and staple-down methods. The installation method will depend on the subfloor, product, and manufacturer’s instructions.
How do I care for and maintain my engineered wood flooring?
To care for your engineered wood flooring, clean up spills immediately, use a soft-bristle brush or a vacuum to remove dirt and debris, and avoid exposing your floor to extreme temperatures or moisture levels.
My name is Hellen James, and I’m a home improvement blogger. As a blogger who writes about how to make your homes better, I’ve learned that everyone wants to know more about their houses and what they can do with them.