Love wood floors but don’t want to deal with the high maintenance of real wood floors? Why not try engineered hardwood flooring instead.
Engineered hardwood flooring is available in almost any wood species, and is known for its durability. The best engineered wood floors are built from 3 to 12 ply layers that are cross layered, glued and pressed together. The inner core layers are generally a hardwood or soft plywood material which is built to incorporate a tongue and groove system for use in laying. The top layer is thicker hardwood veneer that is glued and pressed into the top surface of the core.
Overall, engineered hardwood flooring has a higher resistance to moisture levels, which means it has a higher appeal in areas typically prone to water, such as kitchens and basements. Its construction makes it easy to be glued down to a concrete slab, or to be stapled down over a wood subfloor. And because engineered wood looks like real wood and is even easier to care for, it has about the same resell value as you would find from solid wood flooring, if you should choose to sell your home in the future.
Engineered wood flooring ranges in widths from 3 to 7 inches wide, and from 3/8 to ¾ inches in thickness. You can find a variety of domestic woods, or look to the exotic woods for even more character and individuality. They provide an average life of 20 to 30 years, depending on traffic. Keep in mind that because engineered wood only has a small layer of wood veneer on the top, it cannot be sanded and refinished again and again, as is the case with traditional solid wood. When the top layer is penetrated and damaged, new engineered wood must be laid.
Before you install engineered hardwood, be conscious of your needs and desires. Does your home have a lot of rough traffic? Is care and maintenance the last thing on your mind during a busy week? The more use your floors will have, the more you should consider engineered wood with a thick wear layer. The wear layer thickness can vary greatly; this is your protection. A thick wood veneer can take more abuse, and in some cases be sanded and refinished a few times before its reached its useful life. If rough wear is a part of your household, be sure to talk with your flooring contractor about pointing you in the right direction for a stronger choice.
Engineered wood flooring is considered to be green over its solid wood counterpoints. For every square foot of ¾ inch thick solid wood flooring manufactured, you can produce 4 times that amount in an engineered wood flooring. So it’s a great choice if your top concern is being eco-friendly in your purchases.
Have even more questions about engineered wood flooring? Stop by our showroom today and we can show you many options, and help you select the right flooring choice for you.
For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.
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