Engineered hardwood flooring has it all! It is scratch-resistant, water-resistant or waterproof, soft underfoot, warm, and boasts the same beautiful aesthetic as solid hardwood.
Scratch-resistant finishes
Given that the actual surface of engineered wood flooring is the same as that of solid hardwood flooring, the two are both equally resistant to scratching.
Con: Maintenance
Hardwood flooring of any kind will take quite a lot of maintenance to keep its shine and lustre. Engineered wood is no different in this respect, therefore not particularly suitable to home's with pets or young children unless you are prepared to keep up with regular maintenance.
Engineered wood floors are “fake” and “cheap” compared to solid wood floors. For some of the very inexpensive engineered floors, this might be true. But a quality engineered floor will look and feel exactly like a high-quality solid hardwood floor. Engineered wood won't cup or gap.
Engineered Hardwood Floors
The sub-layers of engineered flooring can be of the same species or of different species, while the top layer is always high-quality wood. The durability of engineered floors means that they can better withstand scratches from your pet's nails.
Selecting a floor such as Hickory, Hard Maple or White Oak can protect your floor from damage, as these hardwoods are less susceptible to scratches than softer woods like Pine, Cherry or Black Walnut. Hardwoods with more dramatic grain patterns can help to hide scratches more easily.
You can safely use Swiffer products on hardwood floors. For a quick clean, try Swiffer WetJet Wood Starter Kit. With just the right amount of solution, it breaks up tough, sticky messes, brings out the natural beauty of your floors and won't damage them.
Engineered hardwood typically lasts between 20 and 30 years. Because they do have a top layer of hardwood, like solid hardwood, they are susceptible to scratches. If scratch resistance is important to you, look for engineered hardwood floors with a scratch-resistant top coat.
Users must always make sure that they properly maintain the quality of their engineered hardwood flooring. Being exposed under multiple kinds of pressure, the flooring panels may get physically damaged. Chipping is one of the damages that normally happen to any type of wooden flooring.
Engineered wood flooring is a better choice in high-moisture environments than solid hardwood, making it a better option for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. But, for whole-house installations, both flooring options offer a wide range of style choices.
While engineered wood is the clear choice for pet friendly floors, we do have a few helpful tips to keep your floors looking their best: Keep pet nails trimmed. Put a placemat or some other protection under water and food bowls, and the litter box.
Bottom Line. For a floor covering that looks exactly like solid hardwood, but is easier to maintain, engineered flooring is your best choice. If you are looking to save money on your floor covering, laminate flooring is a better choice than engineered hardwood flooring, especially when coupled with self-installation.
Most of the hardest and scratch-resistant wood species come from the tropics. There's Ipe, Golden Teak, and Jatoba just to name a few, and they have a rating higher than 2,000 pounds-force (lbf) with Ipe getting the highest 3,684 lbf hardness rating.
A prefinished, engineered hardwood floor has a very durable, long-lasting finish. Finishes applied by the manufacturer can last years longer than those applied by an installer, which in turn increases the durability of your floor. This means that the floor can go years longer without needing to be refinished.
The acid in animal urine or vomit can damage the finish and the wood floor boards. Large, active dogs with long, sharp nails digging into hardwood can cause scratches and dents. Spilled food or water, when left for extended periods of time, can seep into hardwood plank seams and lead to unsightly water damage.
YES! Engineered hardwood is the “real deal,” just like solid. There aren't many differences between the ROI of these two products. This product increases a home's value in a few ways: You'll recoup 70% to 80% of your investment as seen in your property values.
Engineering Wood Flooring
Not as durable as solid wood and lasts up to 20 to 40 years. Resistant to temperature changes and does not warp or change dimensions when exposed to moisture. Click-lock or glue-down forms of engineered wood are effortless to work and can be installed on many subfloor types.
Yes, all hardwood floors will slightly change colour over periods of time, especially if they are in contact with direct sunlight. The most noticeable colour change will happen in the first few months after being installed.
The good news is, engineered hardwood floors are created with durability in mind. Plus, with a resistance to changes in humidity, they're less likely to warp or buckle in a room where water is just a part of life, making the LIFECORE Hardwood Collection a great choice for the kitchen.
Use a Damp Mop
Rooms with higher foot traffic could use a mop about once a week, while less-used areas probably only need it once a month. Additionally, if your engineered hardwood floor begins to dull, it's time to bring out the mop. Always keep your mop or cloth slightly damp rather than wet.
According to HomeAdvisor, the typical price range to refinish hardwood floors is between $1,074 and $2,485, with the national average at $1,757. This comes out to $3 to $8 per square foot, including materials and labor. Roughly 80 percent of the cost to refinish hardwood floors comes from labor.
Engineered hardwood flooring is usually a particle board base topped with a wood veneer surface that's fully finished when you buy it. This means that if the surface becomes marred, gouged or dented, you can't sand down past the damage and into the base repair it, or you'll take off the veneer.