The term ?engineered? has many meanings and, as such, can be confusing when it comes to flooring. Here are a few of the facts and reasons why we love engineered hardwood flooring!
Engineered Hardwood Flooring Is Made From 100% REAL Wood
This is probably the #1 myth about engineered hardwood. The term ?engineered? simply indicates the construction process used to create the wood flooring. Rather than milling the entire plank from a single log, it is made from a solid wood top layer, with a multi-ply backing, plywood called the ?substrate?.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring is Durable
This multi-ply substrate actually enhances the stability and strength of hardwood flooring. The glue and layering process creates a denser, more dimensionally stable foundation than solid wood. It also limits the expansion or contraction that wood flooring experiences through seasonal environmental changes and helps to prevent more serious issues like cupping, buckling or rippling.
Engineered Hardwood Is Green
The engineered substrate, which makes up the largest majority of each plank (and is never seen after installation) is made from fast growing, renewable trees like birch, elm, or pine. This enables manufacturers to preserve older growth trees such as oak?? , maple, hickory or walnut for the top layers. Manufacturers are able to make about four planks of engineered flooring using the same amount of hardwood that one would need to create ONE plank of solid flooring!
Engineered Hardwood Flooring Is Typically Less Expensive Than Solid Wood Flooring
Due to the wood savings mentioned above, engineered wood flooring is often less expensive than solid hardwood. There are many other factors that play into prices for specific projects and specific products, but overall, this is often a ?win-win-win? for the environment, the manufacturer, and the consumer.
Many Engineered Floors Can Be Refinished Just Like Solid Hardwood Flooring
Another common myth regarding engineered hardwood flooring is that the flooring cannot be refinished for fear of exposing the underlying substrate. The fact is that regardless of solid or engineered construction, one can only refinish hardwood floors down to the tongue and groove point. Many engineered products, including most of what we offer, have just as much wear layer as that found on a solid hardwood product.
In reality, a very small percentage of consumers who purchase a hardwood floor actually re-sand the floor. Most consumers, if they do any future overhaul of their hardwood floors, would just re-oil or recoat their floors to make them look new again. Re-sanding a floor changes the original look of the floor, which was bought because it went well with the project d?cor, and erases any face treatment such as distressing or wire brushing that would have been included in the expense of the original floor purchase.
We?re Here to Serve
At Quantum Floors we don't just cover floors, we cover details. From concept to installation, you've got our ear and we've got your back. Your vision, expectations, plans, and dreams are the same reason why we do what we do. Quantum Floors will guide you through your flooring project every step of the way. Our in-house design teams take the time to understand your vision, needs, budget, and ideas to determine the best products to offer or install for your new or old space. Quality products, expert product knowledge, professional installation, and striving for complete satisfaction is your goal and ours too.
You may also be interested in our blog post, ?5 Reasons NOT to Buy Solid Hardwood Flooring in Florida?. Click here to read it.
