It is no secret that engineered hardwood flooring has become one of the most popular types of flooring in America today. There are many reasons for this, lower cost (over solid hardwood flooring) being just one. Here are a few other facts about engineered hardwood that About Floors n' More would like you to know:
One of the most important differences between engineered wood flooring and solid wood flooring is its construction. Engineered wood floors are manufactured by compressing layers of wood together, with the grain running perpendicular to the surface layer. Depending on the quality (and cost), some engineered floors will have 3-4 under-layers, while top-quality systems may have up to 12 layers.
So, why is this important? Because of the way that these systems are made, they can resist warping, which can easily occur with solid hardwood floors when moisture is present. Engineered wood floors can be installed where solid wood flooring cannot, and this includes below grade.
Another fact about engineered flooring that many consumers do not know is that many engineered wood floors can be sanded (when needed) over the lifetime of the product. Here is how this works:
When you buy your new flooring, look at the millimeter rating for the top layer. A wear layer thickness of 1 mm cannot be sanded; it is too thin. Most quality engineered hardwood flooring, however, has thicker layers. A wear layer of 2mm can be sanded (professionally) two times over the average lifetime of the flooring, which is normally 30 to 40 years with quality flooring. A wear layer of 4mm can be sanded four times, and so forth. For comparison purposes, a solid wood floor is usually rated at 8mm.
Moreover, because only the top layer is composed of the actual hardwood species (i.e. oak, maple, ash), consumers can buy even the most exotic hardwoods for much less than what it would cost for the same wood species in solid wood flooring. Remember, the top layer of engineered wood flooring is the real thing, the real species of that particular wood.
If you would like to know about the many benefits of owning engineered hardwood flooring, visit with us at our Jacksonville, FL showroom. At About Floors n’ More, we know hardwood inside and out.
