One of the common thoughts about hardwood floors is that the flooring consists of complete wood, when there are actually a few alternatives. Engineered hardwood floors are one of the most common alternatives to a pure hardwood floor.
What is engineered hardwood?
Unlike solid hardwood floors, where the entirety of the floor plank is comprised of wood, engineered planks only have a top layer of real wood. What you walk on and see is only a top layer of the wood of your choice. The underlayers of the plank usually consist of a cheaper plywood and or another layer of hardwood.
Engineered hardwood is becoming more desirable, because it has most if not more of the benefits that solid hardwood floors have. This type of flooring can also be cheaper than if you were to go with a solid hardwood floor. Just because this floor option is cheaper, does not mean the there is any lesser quality.
Quality of Engineered Hardwood Floors
There are quite a few factors that play into what hardwood flooring options are best for your desires and uses. Don’t discredit engineered flooring in your decision making solely because the planks are not completely comprised of the top layer wood. Engineered flooring can still last for a very long time, but that depends on the quality of the flooring purchased.
The quality depends mainly on how thick the top layer of wood is. Thinner top layers won’t be able to be sanded or refinished and will only last around 30 years, maybe less. However, flooring with a thicker top layer can be sanded and refinished a couple times and can last for as long as 80 years. Aside from how often the floor can be sanded and refinished, there isn’t a huge difference in quality between solid hardwood floors and engineered hardwood floors.
If you’re considering hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood floors are a great option. With having similar qualities, being cost effective, and lasting for quite a long time, not have solid wood flooring shouldn’t dissuade you from going with engineered flooring.
