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.
Oak is a particularly strong and hardwearing wood as well as being relatively abundant and affordable, which is no doubt why it is so popular. Engineered oak flooring, like any other quality engineered flooring product is made up of layers of ply which are bonded together to form a solid and highly stable core board.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Hardwood floors are resilient and long-lasting. With proper maintenance and care, they can last centuries. The greatest advantage of hardwood flooring is that it is easy to clean and maintain. While spills and stains on a light-colored carpet can be a disaster, on a hardwood floor you can simply wipe them away.
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.
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. Instead, the main factor in their scratch-resistance is how they're treated.
With both solid and engineered wood floors, you have the ability to fix marks that have occurred over the years. Simply sand and refinish.
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.
Most engineered wood floors can get wet and are water-resistant but to a certain degree. Liquid spilled on the engineered wood floors should ideally be wiped dry immediately or at the latest within 2-3 hours. Damage can occur when water gets into the cracks and joints and soak the floor's core.
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.
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.
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.
Engineered Oak flooring is far more durable than solid Oak flooring because of the way the planks are constructed. It is made by bonding multiple layers of wood together with a layer of Oak on the top.
Ipe Hardwood
Ipe or Brazilian walnut is top-notch if you want the hardest and most durable flooring on the market. It boasts a Janka rating of 3,680, making it extremely hard to dent. Aside from its extreme hardness, it's good for a few other reasons as well.
An engineered wood floor, which is being fitted over under floor heating, is normally recommended to be a maximum of 15mm thick. The reason for this is that boards of this thickness will allow the heat to pass into the room more efficiently than a thicker board.
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.
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.