Hardwood flooring, engineered for you
If you are remodeling your home or having a new custom home built, you have flooring choices to make. Carpeting, ceramic tile, wood floors, etc. For the kitchen, ceramic tile is a common choice, carpet in the bedrooms, but the rest of the house, maybe wood floors. The next question, will that be hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring?
If you’re not versed in wood flooring, you wonder what the difference between engineered hardwood vs hardwood, which is what we will talk about today. You see hardwood flooring on many home remodeling shows of old homes where the flooring is authentic. In a newer home though, where hardwood flooring looks good, they often use engineered hardwood flooring?
The difference between the two types of hardwood flooring is how engineered hardwood is made versus how actual hardwood floors were made. Hardwood flooring, like that in homes of 100 years old, is solid wood planks. Engineered hardwood flooring is hardwood and plywood pressed together in layers going in different directions.
What are the benefits of engineered wood flooring?
Hardwood flooring not only adds an appeal to your home that is natural and timeless, but it is also a great investment that provides luxury, style, and warmth. Engineered hardwood flooring is a fabulous alternative to the original solid hardwood flooring because of the dimensional strength it offers. Engineered hardwood flooring is more stable, is resistant to moisture and temperature, and looks like hardwood flooring. Other benefits of engineered hardwood flooring are:
- Less expensive than hardwood flooring
- Is topped with a real wood layer vs laminate that looks like hardwood
- Resistant to changes in humidity and fluctuation
- Can be installed in several ways to match owners’ preferences
- Suitable for underfloor heating
- Easy to install with a click fitting system
- Available in several colors, finishes, styles, widths, and wood species
The difference between laminate flooring that has a picture of hardwood that is laminated onto a base wood layer vs the multiple layers that create engineered hardwood flooring with the top layer being actual wood.
So, in answer to two common questions: Can engineered hardwood be restained? Yes, and engineered hardwood, can you refinish it? Again, yes. It has all the features of actual wood flooring, except for being more durable and stronger.
How long do Engineered hardwood floors last?
There are three main factors that determine the lifespan of engineered hardwood flooring:
- The top layer of the veneer’s thickness
- The quality of materials used
- How well the floors are maintained
Studies of engineered hardwood flooring have determined you can expect to get between forty years to eighty years of beauty and enjoyment. Chances are, you won’t live in your house to see the full lifespan of engineered hardwood flooring that you install.
Do Engineered wood floors scratch easily?
Because engineered hardwood flooring’s top layer is solid wood, it is as susceptible as solid hardwood flooring to dents and scratches. If you want flooring that has character along with durability, fluctuates, and is moisture-resistant, then this is the flooring material for you. If you want pristine floors, then you should look at other options. However, many floorings can eventually have a mark on them. The difference with engineered hardwood flooring is the ability to repair blemishes on it, using a wax repair kit, or sand and refinish the flooring.
Is engineered hardwood waterproof?
Yes, which is what makes it a great floor for bathrooms and kitchens! The base layers make engineered hardwood flooring dimensionally stable, which allows it to withstand moisture. While laminate flooring is relatively water-resistant, it is not waterproof, and when water infiltrates it from the surface and soaks into the lower layers, it swells.
Can I use engineered wood flooring in the kitchen?
Definitely! When choosing flooring for your kitchen, you can choose from solid wood flooring to engineered hardwood flooring for suitability. Some features to consider between the two types:
- Wood Species: Color, graining, hardness, and stability are all determined by the species of the wood species. Oak is the most common in domestic woods with birch, cherry, hickory, maple, and walnut following in popularity. If exotic woods are your preference, Brazilian Cherry, hickory, jatoba, teak, or Tigerwood offer you a different look.
- Plant Width: Planks that are 3 inches or wider are perfect for the country look or rustic style. Narrower than 3 inches is the blend for a contemporary space, while a decorative parquet is a perfect choice for a formal kitchen.
- Textures: Aged hardwood has a heritage and history and heritage with dents, notches, scratches, and wormholes. There are brand-new wood options that have the same timeworn look by distressing techniques that include chattering, hand-scraping, and wire-brushing.
- Color Ranges: Hardwood flooring has a wide choice in colors ranging from various shades of blondes, browns, burgundy, caramel, even black. Keeping these options in mind for a kitchen floor, extreme light colors and extreme dark colors will show dirt and spills easier.
Because of innovative techniques in the manufacturing of engineered hardwood flooring, it works in any room, including the basement and the bathrooms. You should lay a protective moisture barrier before the flooring for extra protection to assure that the 40-to 80-year lifespan. Dial 817.861.3737 today for your engineered hardwood needs in Pantego and Arlington, TX.