Homeowners who are purists about hardwood floors may shy away from having Engineered Wood Flooring installed. They may feel this option does not qualify as true hardwood flooring. In truth, this material is authentic. It simply has been crafted to resist expanding and shrinking due to temperature and humidity changes. That makes it especially suitable for rooms located directly above a concrete slab instead of a basement or crawlspace. Homeowners should not find evidence of warping or other issues due to weather conditions that affect the house.
Engineered Wood Flooring is manufactured in layers, like a sandwich. The bottom portions are typically made of plywood, or medium-density or high-density fiberboard while the top layer consists of solid hardwood veneer. Fiberboard is primarily made of wood fiber from chips, and it also contains wood pulp waste. That makes the material an especially environmentally-friendly choice. For the top layer, customers can choose virtually any type of wood normally used for hardwood flooring. Maple, oak, and birch are just a few examples. The layers are set in a crisscross pattern that provides superb strength.
This is a practical option that homeowners might consider if the house, and particularly the floors, may be susceptible to excessive humidity that could have a negative impact on traditional wood floors. When installed properly, engineered wood can even be a good option for a finished basement, adding a touch of elegance that most basement living spaces do not provide. The material also is advantageous when placed over radiant heat tubes or pipes, allowing heat to rise more easily to the surface. An additional advantage involves remodeling. Engineered wood can be installed over another hard flooring. That reduces the costs and time associated with tearing out old floors.
Before the flooring is installed by a company such as Anthony’s World of Floors, the layers can be seen while viewing the planks from the side. However, once the material has been put in place, there is no way to know that it’s engineered flooring rather than the traditional versions. See the website for more information on engineered wood.
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