Wood exposed to normal sunlight is subject to colour changes. As with all natural products made from wood, these changes are expected and add to the beauty and distinctiveness of wood floors.
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.
Heavy and consistent foot traffic on engineered wood slowly erodes its surface layers. As the top veneer erodes and weakens, the wood pigment fades. Luckily, one of the primary advantages of engineered wood is its durability. Fading from heavy foot traffic won't occur until much later in the engineered wood's lifespan.
Hardwood and engineered wood floors can change colour naturally over time – and while most species will darken into a richer shade than when you first installed them, some will lighten over time. Both are normal, and come as part of the territory with natural wood.
Cons of Engineered Wood Floors
Require special care: These floors cannot be cleaned the same way hardwood floors can be. Only use engineered specific cleaning products. Not as Thick: With only a single thin layer of true hardwood, they can scratch and become damaged more easily.
Engineered hardwood floors do not need to be refinished and maintained the way authentic hardwood does over time. At the same time, they offer the same look as authentic hardwood, increasing the value of your home at a fraction of the cost.
In conclusion, while engineered wood flooring is a great flooring option, it does come with some problems that homeowners should be aware of. These include moisture sensitivity, scratching and dents, limited refinishing, glue-down installation, and not being as authentic as solid hardwood.
It is easy to take care of an engineered floor and well-maintained wood flooring will look fantastic for many years. Poor maintenance and cleaning often lead to problems that affect the performance and appearance of the floor.
Engineered floors are generally very durable and if properly maintained will last for decades. Engineered wood flooring consists of plywood, HDF, or softwood, combined with a layer of hardwood. The durable nature of engineered wood means that it should last for at least 25 to 30 years before needing replaced.
Both engineered wood floors and solid wood floors require about the same level of maintenance, though the former is more resistant to temperature and moisture and the latter usually lasts longer.
Most engineered wood flooring has a core that isn't water-resistant and will be damaged if it's soaked in water. Once the core has absorbed enough water, the floor will begin to expand and cupping will occur.
Refinishing engineered hardwood floors is ideal if your wear layer is thick. You may be able to refinish your flooring up to three times if the wear layer measures at least three millimeters thick. A wear layer that's less than two-millimeter thick can sustain damage if you refinish it more than once.
There are only two cases that require you to have your engineered wood floor refinished. First, refinishing is the best choice for restoring a new look if the floor exhibits significant wear through the sealer and into the wood. The second case is when you want to modify the color of the stain.
So, when all is said and done, refinishing hardwood is definitely the more affordable option. Even if it requires removing a few severely damaged planks here and there, refinishing will generally always be less costly than tearing out the entire floor.
In the same respect, most properly maintained hardwood floors can go anywhere from 20 to 30 years without needing any significant work done. Their longevity makes hardwood floors a great investment for any house. However, there will come a time when every hardwood floor will need to either be refinished or replaced.
The wood itself changes color over time (darkens or lightens.) Wood changes color through oxidation and photochemical exposure, which is a change that cannot be prevented. This is a naturally occurring phenomenon. All woods will change color, but some more drastically than others.
Resilient Flooring/Vinyl
Also known as vinyl flooring, this classic product is 100% moisture-resistant and laboratory-engineered to last for a very long time.
Premium engineered flooring with a thick veneer can last as long as 20 to 50 years, or even longer when properly cared for. Laminate flooring's lifespan is less than that of engineered flooring. Some types of laminate flooring, if well-maintained and installed in a dry environment, can last as long as 15 to 20 years.
When your floor requires a bit more attention than just regular maintenance, the best way to clean your engineered hardwood is with a damp mop and an appropriate floor cleaner. Avoid using cleaning products that include vinegar, soap-based cleaners or wax on engineered hardwood flooring.
The Swiffer® WetJet Wood™ system features a unique dual-nozzle sprayer that will coat your Hearthwood engineered hardwood floor evenly with an ultra-fine mist. This will loosen dirt so that you can maneuver the flexible swivel head and microfiber-like pads to absorb and lift dirt, grime, and germs off of your floor.
Though durable on the surface, engineered hardwoods are bonded using adhesives, and the steam cleaning can affect the quality of those adhesives. Moisture can seep between the layers, weakening the bond and permanently damaging the floors. Avoid using steam mops on engineered hardwood floors.
At a minimum, LVP flooring offers water resistance. However, many LVP floors go a step further and deliver 100% waterproofing. So, if you're terribly concerned about water damage, LVP may be the better option. Engineered hardwood flooring offers better moisture resistance than solid hardwood flooring.
Cleaning and maintenance
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.