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.
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.
Appearance and Comfort. Engineered flooring tends to look better than laminate flooring. Since the top is real wood, it stands up to close scrutiny. Engineered flooring is all wood from top to bottom.
Engineered hardwood has slightly better performance in humid locations since its plywood construction makes it more stable and less susceptible to warping. If installation against a concrete subfloor is necessary, engineered hardwood is the choice.
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.
Scratches, Dents and Other Small Marks
Due to the fact that engineered flooring has a top layer of solid wood it is actually susceptible to the same drawbacks of having solid hardwood floors such as easily being scratched and dented.
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 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.
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.
When mopping engineered wood, it's best to use a damp – but not wet – mop. Too much moisture will sit on your floors and seep through the planks, which could cause subfloor damage or warping.
Engineered flooring can be purchased for $2 to $10 per square foot. Laminate flooring costs $1 to $3 per square foot. The cost to install flooring is approximately $2 to $4 per square foot. Floating floors can be cheaper to install, while finishing wood floors onsite is more expensive.
Dry cleaning is the best way to clean engineered wood floors, rather than wet cleaning. Vacuum and brush regularly and occasionally use a damp, well wrung-out cloth/mop. For best results, use Kährs Cleaner diluted in water or ready-mixed Kährs Spray Cleaner.
When it comes down to finding the best flooring to increase home value, it all boils down to your market. Hardwood will likely give you the highest return, but laminate and luxury vinyl plank flooring also offer plenty of perks to buyers.
Thanks to the composition of engineered flooring, which consists of multiple core pieces of plywood, HDF, or softwood, topped off with a beautiful layer of hardwood, it means that engineered flooring can last for up to 30 years in the right conditions.
1. Hardwood Continues to Dominate. Hardwood has remained at the top of the podium for decades now and continues to dominate the home flooring industry.
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.
Hardwood floors are one of the best flooring options for homeowners looking to increase the resale value of their home, with hardwood typically yielding around a 75% return on investment.
To judge quality, check the thickness of the "wear layer," or top skin of wood; the number of veneers in the core; and the number of finish coats—all of which affect price and warranty. Typically, the more layers, the better.
The increased lumber costs are due to species scarcity, fuel inflation and a lack of truck delivery. But even if you're not getting all-natural hardwood floors, you may still see a price increase. This is because higher-end engineered floors are built using softwoods for cores and backing.
You can usually fix scratches on engineered hardwood floors using floor repair wax, fine steel wool, or wood filler. However, sand scrubbing is not a viable solution. To avoid scratches on engineered hardwood floors, cover the bottom of your furniture with pads and place rugs on high-traffic areas.
Wood floors are not naturally slippery. They become slick after you apply a coating of wax or polish, when they're wet or when a person has something slippery on the bottom of his shoes. Therefore, the best way to reduce the risk of slipping on your wood floors is to keep them clean and dry.
With both solid and engineered wood floors, you have the ability to fix marks that have occurred over the years. Simply sand and refinish.
Mop with a damp mop.
Engineered wood flooring stands up better to moisture than standard hardwood floors, but it's not waterproof. Mop with a damp (not soaking wet) mop. Don't let any areas puddle.
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.