Selecting the proper flooring is, without question, one of the most important decisions homeowners make during a renovation or build. Flooring is important, not only because it helps shape the look and feel of a space, but it also greatly determines how the flooring will perform (durability) and how much maintenance it may require. It is high value for you to understand why engineered flooring may ultimately be your best option, whether you’re changing a room or renovating your entire house.
Superior Stability and Moisture Resistance
Engineered flooring is constructed in layers, thus providing more stability than solid hardwood. The construction of the flooring is what makes it more resistant to warping, swelling, and shrinking due to environmental effects such as temperature and humidity. And it is this fact that makes engineered hardwood flooring incredibly practical to use in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms – places that solid hardwood can’t easily be used – while also considering locations and climate conditions where solid hardwood may exceed the problems that engineered flooring is made to mitigate. If you reside in a humid climate or have underfloor heat, engineered flooring is a superior product that better accommodates the realities of today’s living.
Aesthetic Appeal of Real Hardwood
The top layer, or veneer, is made with real wood, and is available in multiple species (e.g., oak, maple, walnut, hickory). This means you do not have to sacrifice style as you gain the many benefits of engineered flooring. There are so many textures, colors, and finishes available that you can use engineered flooring to design your space efficiently and effectively. If you like traditional or rustic looks, or prefer something clean and modern, engineered flooring allows you to have an authentic floor with many aesthetic choices.
Easier Installation Options
Another option with engineered flooring is the variety of installation methods. While nail-down or staple-down methods are very common with traditional hardwood flooring, engineered flooring can be installed with different procedures, floating, glue-down, and click-lock. There are flooring options of engineered flooring intended for homeowners looking to install it themselves (accessing a flooring contractor can add a lot to the expense!). The floating method can be the fastest and the least expensive installation method available, as many engineered flooring products can be installed over existing surfaces like concrete or tile.
Cost-Effective Without Compromising Quality
Although engineered flooring has a similar look and feel to real hardwood with approximately the same installation costs, it is usually cheaper. Most manufacturers have to use expensive hardwood as a layer with stable basic materials as the core layers. It allows for high-quality finishes for manufacturers at a lower cost. Additionally, if you have a durable floor, it equates to less maintenance bills and lower expenditure over the life of its service. Home builders get the aesthetic of wood flooring without the expense. Overall, because of its cost-effectiveness, it makes engineered flooring affordable for first-time home buyers, individuals who want to renovate, home builders who are on a budget, or anyone who would like quality flooring at a more affordable price.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choice
Since engineered flooring has less solid hardwood, it conserves timber resources. Some manufacturers also use melamine core layers made from recycled wood fibers or harvested timber from sustainably resource forests. Engineered flooring can also last longer than solid hardwood; therefore, exchanging solid wood floors less often and minimizing waste overall. Selecting engineered wood is a step toward greening your home while achieving a high-end appearance, without sacrificing your eco-friendly theme.
With benefits such as superior moisture protection, real-wood look, easy install, inexpensive options, and sustainable choices, engineered wood flooring has quickly become an option of choice for homeowners globally. Whether you are remodeling a space or improving your entire home, put engineered wood flooring into consideration for a soft and solid surface that will last!
