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Solid Wood: today most people consider solid logs cut to size and finished with a Tongue & a groove to be "Real wood" usually at least 3" wide & at least 3/8" thick. sizes bigger that 4" are called planks & thicknesses from 5/8" up to 1 1/4" are all common & readily available. Almost all solid wood floors require nailing to keep the wood in place ad they are still very susceptible to swelling in the wet & heat & shrinking apart in the cool & the dry.
Engineered Wood: Looks like Plywood (it's NOT) with one side finished with a high quality species & a great factory applied finish and or stain.
The engineered wood starts with anywhere from 3-10 layers of veneer glued together under very high heat & pressure. The top layer is usually the most premium of all the veneers & is often thicker than all the rest.
The veneer, boards are referred to as engineered, since they are man made and built for a specific purpose, like flooring.
Engineered wood is actually harder, stronger & much more stable than the same thickness of solid wood. It can also be glued down in areas where nailing is not possible like slab floors & basements.
Engineered wood also resists swelling & bowing, because the layers are rotated in different directions as the boards are laid up before they are heated & pressed together.
Environmentally the engineered wood uses less wood & the veneering process leaves almost no wasted wood and no sawdust.
Once its on the floor even most experts cant tell the difference & the price is about the same for a good solid or a top of the line engineered.
Save the money, the swelling & cracking and the forest & go with the engineered if you find a color or style that you like.
What else can I help you with?
What are engineered hardwood floors used for?
Engineered hardwood floors are sturdy floors, specifically designed by engineers to be used for below-grade installations such as basements. These floors are designed to withstand different temperatures since a basement temperature can vary during the summer versus winter time.
How do you decide between engineered hardwood floors and natural hardwood floors?
If we can nail it down we use (prefinished) hardwood. If we have to glue it down (on slab) we use engineered. You can certainly use engineered in any application whether nail down, glue down, or even floating. There really aren't many compelling reasons to use solid anymore beyond prestige and the fact that is has zero chemical emissions. Engineered can be refinished just like solid, as long as the top veneer is think enough. If you plan to be in your house long enough to refinish the floor, use an engineered with a 3mm+ top veneer.
Where can one find cheap engineered hardwood flooring in the US?
One can shop at a number of home improvement stores in the US for engineered flooring. Lowes and Home Depot both carry several brands of engineered hardwood for flooring. One can also shop online at Build Direct, Simple Floors, and Can Floor for engineered flooring.
How do you clean engineered hardwood floors?
Use broom to weep all durty then after mopping never walk on the floor during this time
What is the difference between hardwood and engineered wood floors?
Engineered wood floors are made of a plywood with a layer of solid wood on top. These floors allow wood to go where traditionally it could not like a cement sub floors or a sub grade level of your home. Engineered wood is sometimes called a remodel floor because it is more often thinner then solid hardwood. This allows a homeowner to more easily transition between floors that are close in height. They can be refinished, although depending on the thickness of the wood top, it may need to be professionally done. These floors are almost always prefinished. You will find engineered wood floors that are glue down, floating, and staple down. Another benefit of engineered wood is cost. Some more exotic species of wood are very expensive. Engineered woods allow manufactures ways to produce floors in a more budget friendly floor. Solid hardwood floors have time on their side. The tongue and grove style boards have been used in homes for generations. The live expectancy of the floor is 100 + years with proper care. They allow for much easier repair then a laminate or engineered wood and can be easily refinished my an informed DIY. In the past, you only saw solid would in floors 3/4" or even thicker. Today though, there are solid wood floors as thin as 3/8" which allow it to go into an area a ticker floor couldn't. You can find solid wood unfinished if you wish to stain it and polyurethane it yourself or prefinished for quicker installation. Engineered wood floors are made like plywood. They are made up of several layers, mostly of a less expensive wood. The top layer is made of hardwood. Solid hardwood floors, on the other hand are solid hardwood the entire thickness. An engineered wood floor may have only 1/16" or so of hardwood on the surface, where a solid wood floor might be a 1/2" or more. Engineered wood tends to be more stable - it is less likely to move or warp with changes in humidity or temperature. This is because the different layers of wood have the grain running in different directions. They are a good choice over a cement slab floor, and are frequently installed by being glued down.
Engineered hardwood floors can be floated, but not solid hardwood floors?
Engineered hardwood floors can be floated, but not solid hardwood floors.
Can a hardwood floor be floated?
Engineered hardwood floors can be floated, but not solid hardwood floors.
What are the benefits of choosing an engineered hardwood floating floor for my home?
Choosing an engineered hardwood floating floor for your home offers several benefits. These floors are durable, easy to install, and can be more resistant to moisture and temperature changes compared to traditional hardwood floors. Additionally, engineered hardwood floating floors are often more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
What are engineered hardwood floors used for?
Engineered hardwood floors are sturdy floors, specifically designed by engineers to be used for below-grade installations such as basements. These floors are designed to withstand different temperatures since a basement temperature can vary during the summer versus winter time.
What are some different kinds of hardwood flooring?
Some different kinds of hardwood flooring include Solid Wood Floors and Engineered Wood Floors. You can learn more about the differences between the two types online at the Woodfloors Organization website.
How can I effectively fix scratches on engineered hardwood floors?
To effectively fix scratches on engineered hardwood floors, you can use a hardwood floor repair kit or a wood filler that matches the color of your floor. Clean the scratched area, apply the filler, let it dry, and then sand and refinish the spot to blend it with the rest of the floor.
How can I fix scratched engineered hardwood floors?
To fix scratched engineered hardwood floors, you can try using a hardwood floor repair kit or a wood filler specifically designed for scratches. Clean the area first, then apply the repair product according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sanding and refinishing may also be necessary for deeper scratches.
How do you decide between engineered hardwood floors and natural hardwood floors?
If we can nail it down we use (prefinished) hardwood. If we have to glue it down (on slab) we use engineered. You can certainly use engineered in any application whether nail down, glue down, or even floating. There really aren't many compelling reasons to use solid anymore beyond prestige and the fact that is has zero chemical emissions. Engineered can be refinished just like solid, as long as the top veneer is think enough. If you plan to be in your house long enough to refinish the floor, use an engineered with a 3mm+ top veneer.
Can we install hardwood flooring in the basement?
Yes, but only if the flooring is engineered hardwood. Solid hardwood floors should not be installed below grade due to excessive moisture that will cause them to contract and expand.
How can I fix scratches on my engineered hardwood floor?
To fix scratches on your engineered hardwood floor, you can try using a hardwood floor repair kit or a wood filler specifically designed for hardwood floors. Clean the scratched area, apply the filler, let it dry, and then sand and refinish the spot to match the rest of the floor.
Where can one find cheap engineered hardwood flooring in the US?
One can shop at a number of home improvement stores in the US for engineered flooring. Lowes and Home Depot both carry several brands of engineered hardwood for flooring. One can also shop online at Build Direct, Simple Floors, and Can Floor for engineered flooring.
How can I fix scratches in engineered hardwood floors?
To fix scratches in engineered hardwood floors, you can use a wood filler or touch-up pen that matches the color of your floor. Apply the filler or pen to the scratch, following the manufacturer's instructions. Sand lightly if needed, and finish with a protective coating to blend the repair with the rest of the floor.
