What is engineered hardwood flooring?
Engineered hardwood flooring is a topic shrouded in confusion, and we’d like to bring some clarity to this remarkable flooring option.
Solid wood flooring plank (left) versus an engineered wood flooring plank (right)
1. Wonderful Wood
To begin with, even though it sounds synthetic and like it just came out of a science lab, true engineered hardwood flooring is 100% wood. It’s composed of three parts.
- First to be seen is the wear layer, the part of the plank that goes from the surface that you see (when the floor is installed) to the part where the tongue and groove begin at the mid-point of the board.
- Next comes the core, which begins right at the beginning of the tongue and groove and extends all the way to the third layer. This core can be composed of many different woods, and the style and choice of core composition plays a primary role in the durability of the floor…but more on that in a minute!
- Finally, the core rests on top of the backing, which is the bottom-most layer and the part of the board that sits on the subfloor during installation.
All of these layers are joined by special adhesive and are pressed together under extreme pressure to firmly adhere them to one another so that even though there are multiple layers, they function together as a single board.
2. Durability’s Dream
Another common misconception about engineered hardwood is that it is not as durable as solid hardwood (which is just as it sounds - one solid piece of wood crafted into a tongue and grooved floor board). Part of this confusion is caused because not all engineered wood on the market is created equal, so indeed, some engineered floors aren't as durable as a solid floor. However, there are a few defining points on which to evaluate an engineered product to ensure that it is of the highest quality and durability potential. The two main points to consider are the thickness of the wear layer and the composition of the core.
- Wear Layer Thickness - On lesser quality flooring, the wear layer is thin, causing issues for durability and refinishing options, resulting in a shorter life-span for the floor. If the wear layer is too thin to be resurfaced, damages can’t be repaired. A thinner wear layer (also known as the veneer) is more easily damaged and even minor everyday wear and tear will be more obvious to the naked eye.
- Core Composition - As mentioned before, the composition of the core layer can make or break an engineered product. If the core is made of inferior or “softer” products than hardwood, that will compromise the durability of the floor as - logically - a floor is only as strong as its core’s composition. If the core is subpar, it can cause issues with the floors ability to withstand the test of time - which means unhappy homeowners and a potentially expensive flooring replacement within several years rather than decades or even centuries (Oh yes! Hardwood floors can last for ages!).
At StoryBook Floors, however, we work with some of the best engineered product in the business, so you don’t have to worry about any of that. Our product’s core is made of hardwoods rather than soft woods, and whenever the supply availability allows, we use Baltic Birch, which is renowned for being the best species for engineered flooring. This creates a strong and durable product that is all natural and 100% wood. We also make sure the wear layer is as thick as our solid plank wear layer. If you look at the picture at the top, you can see how both the solid board on the left and the engineered board on the right have a single piece of wood - of the same thickness - from the top surface all the way to the tongue and groove. What does that mean? You guessed it! Our engineered floor looks, feels, and responds to refinishing just like a solid floor does and can last just as long!
3. Versatility’s Virtue
So if it is as durable as solid, why choose engineered hardwood flooring? That’s an excellent question - and, again, it all has to do with the core and the possibilities it presents. Because the core of a quality engineered hardwood floor is comprised of thin layers of hardwood, each alternated by 90 degrees and pressed together with adhesive under pressure, it distributes the stress of natural movement that comes when wood is exposed to moisture. While a solid board may shrink and swell with changing moisture content in your home - and possibly even make visible shifts and buckles in extreme cases - engineered wood remains more stable and rarely (if ever) shrinks or swells noticeably. If you are looking to put hardwood floors in a more damp or humid location or on a subfloor that has a higher moisture content (such as concrete or cement), engineered hardwood flooring is a wise choice!
While this has been a quick overview of engineered flooring, hopefully is has helped clear the haze around this remarkable project. However, if you still have questions concerning engineered hardwood flooring, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us at storybookfloors@gmail.com with any inquiries you may have!
