Wood flooring has a timeless appeal that can add incredible warmth to both new and newly remodeled homes. It provides an incomparable aesthetic, allowing for endless creative possibilities depending on your taste. There are three main types of wood flooring: solid hardwood, laminate, and engineered wood flooring. Each type has its own built-in advantages and disadvantages. Before making a purchase, it’s important to research each option to determine which is best suited for your lifestyle and fits your budget.
Engineered Flooring
Engineered flooring is considered an alternative to solid wood flooring. Solid wood is just as it sounds—solid, as if it came straight from the tree. There are no other materials involved in creating solid hardwood flooring. This is not the case with engineered wood. Engineered flooring consists of a thin layer of finished wood on top of a plywood base. The plywood makes up most of the floor, but it’s the finished top layer that is visible and walked on.
Wood Sandwich
An engineered floor can aptly be called a “wood sandwich” because of the way the layers are built to form the floor. Each plywood layer is laid perpendicular to its adjacent layers, creating dimensional strength. This method helps prevent the seasonal contraction and expansion that solid wood floors often experience. It also makes engineered wood more resistant to light moisture, which can be useful in bathrooms and basements.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Engineered Flooring
Range of Options Engineered wood flooring offers a range of installation methods. Thinner varieties can simply be nailed down, while thicker varieties can be used as floating floors. A floating floor is installed over an existing floor, provided the original floor is level and stable. It can be added with minimal effort, usually requiring glue or a heavy-duty staple gun. In many cases, no sub-floor installation is necessary.
Disadvantages of Engineered Flooring
The greatest weakness of engineered flooring lies in its top layer, which is typically 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch thick. Although this layer comes prefinished, it can only be sanded once, maybe twice. Solid wood, on the other hand, can be sanded multiple times to remove dents or deep scratches. With engineered wood, you’ll have to live with deep dents or scratches from everyday use.
Value of Engineered Flooring
Experts say solid hardwood is expensive but extremely durable, mainly due to its thickness, which allows for multiple refinishing treatments. Engineered wood flooring is more affordable initially, but its thin top layer can only be refinished a couple of times. While you may save money upfront, you might end up spending more in the long run by needing a replacement floor if it becomes too damaged. Additionally, solid wood generally adds more value to a home than engineered wood.
Both types of flooring can be dented or fade in heavy sunlight. However, engineered wood is less prone to swelling and warping from moisture, making it suitable for use in bathrooms. That said, using it in areas with frequent water exposure is not recommended.
Cost of Installation
Once you’ve chosen the type of flooring, you’ll need to navigate the pricing process. Unfortunately, most flooring prices listed in sales pamphlets or store signs are misleading. The price listed may only reflect the cost of the actual materials, not the additional expenses. For instance, will the floor be nailed, stapled, or glued in place? Will the old floor need to be removed? Is a sub-floor necessary? Will an underlayment be required to mask irregularities in the old floor? And if you choose to hire professionals, how much will their labor cost? The total cost will likely be higher than initially anticipated.
Labor Costs and How You Can Help
Labor costs can vary significantly. One way to cut down on costs is to buy materials online or from a local home improvement warehouse. The next step is to hire workers to install the flooring. Additional costs may arise if you underestimate the project’s scope and need to purchase more materials or if you didn’t factor in the need for a painter to touch up the trim and baseboards to match your décor.
Maintaining an Engineered Floor
Engineered floors are relatively easy to maintain. Regular sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping every few days is recommended. It’s important to clean up spills immediately and dry them completely to prevent staining, as moisture can affect the floor, even in small amounts. Place doormats on both sides of exterior doors to minimize dirt and debris being tracked inside. Damp mopping is not recommended, but can be done if the mop is only slightly damp. Periodically re-coat the floor to keep it looking new. If possible, train your family and friends to remove their shoes when entering your home, and keep pets’ toenails trimmed to prevent scratches on the veneer.
