Engineered hardwood flooring has been popular choice and there are many reasons why it is a great. It is important to understand its unique features and benefits when considering it for your home. You can explore high-quality options by visiting your local hardwood floor store.
Dimensional Stability
Engineered hardwood floors are designed to be stable because of how they are made. These floors are constructed with layers of plywood glued together, and a hardwood veneer is added on top. Each layer of plywood is placed with its grain running in the opposite direction of the layer above and below. This design helps reduce movement in the wood, so it expands and contracts less than solid hardwood. Though wood will still react to moisture, the expansion and contraction are much smaller. This makes engineered hardwood more resistant to changes in humidity.
Ease of Installation
Installing engineered hardwood floors is often easier than installing solid hardwood, especially if you choose prefinished flooring. Engineered floors with a "click lock" system are simple to install, and you can complete the installation much faster. You will not need special tools or fasteners with this system, so you can install it in a day. However, if you choose unfinished engineered floors, you will still need to sand and finish them as you would with solid hardwood.
Eco-Friendly Choice
Engineered hardwood floors use less wood than solid hardwood floors because they only have a thin layer of hardwood on top of the plywood layers. Manufacturers can create more flooring from a single log, which reduces waste and makes this option more eco-friendly. If you are looking for a flooring option that helps the environment, engineered hardwood can be a good choice.
Versatile Installation Options
Engineered hardwood floors can be installed in more areas of the home than solid hardwood. You can install them above ground, below ground, or on the ground level. They can be glued down or floated, and some types are even suitable for installation over radiant heating systems.
Sawn Face vs. Rotary Cut
The way the veneer is made can affect the quality of engineered hardwood. Sawn face veneers are cut into thin strips, and they tend to be stronger and more durable. Rotary-cut veneers are made by peeling the wood from a log, and while this method produces more material, it is more prone to damage. Although sawn face veneers use more wood, they result in a stronger floor.
Resanding Limitations
Engineered hardwood floors can usually be sanded and refinished only once or twice because of the thinner veneer layer. This may not be a problem if you plan to keep the same color, but it is important to know if you want to change the look of your floors later.
If you have any further questions about engineered hardwood flooring, please call Harper Floors.
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