Many homeowners choose hardwood flooring for its timeless beauty and durability. Today’s choices for styles and materials range from pricey solid timber to versatile engineered products. Here’s how to tell if engineered wood flooring may be the right solution for your home.

A Guide to Engineered Wood Flooring

Style & Function

Engineered wood flooring is manufactured by bonding stacks of thin wood plies, which are then milled into planks. The board’s top layer is a thin veneer of desirable wood like hickory, oak, cherry, maple, or walnut. Like typical plywood, the underlying layers are composed of less expensive material.

The cost of engineered wood is determined by its top-layer thickness, the number of layers, and its finish. Thicknesses begin at around ¼ inch, making engineered wood more versatile than other wood flooring. Attractive surface effects like gloss, patina, or brushing are also available, lending a high-end appearance when installed over most existing surfaces.

Durability

The durability of engineered wood is generally determined by the hardness of its top layer. Denser, less porous woods like maple resist dings and scratches better than softer woods like red oak. The number of layers also contributes to its resilience to impacts. Floors with low or no gloss are better at hiding superficial surface scratches and wear.

Engineered wood’s bonded layers also deliver excellent moisture resistance. High humidity and messy spills won’t cause bowing or warping, and the material won’t buckle from temperature changes.  

Other Advantages of Engineered Wood

Engineered wood’s unique, lighter composition makes boards easy to cut and install. As a “floating” flooring solution that doesn’t require nails or staples, engineered boards go in faster and provide a more cushiony feel than other hardwood flooring. 

Thinner planks also make engineered wood more efficient at transferring heat. That makes them a perfect choice for installation over radiant heat systems. Best of all, homeowners save on overall costs for materials,  installation, and repairs, while also protecting the environment by consuming less precious timber.

To achieve breathtaking results with new floor installation, work with local experts who get the job done right. Atlanta Hardwood Flooring & Cabinetry in Alpharetta, GA, has been providing exceptional hardwood flooring and custom cabinetry services since 1997. They’re also Georgia’s first contractor to be certified by the National Wood Flooring Association. Call (404) 919-7010 for a free consultation or visit them online to learn about their services.