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What Are Engineered Floors?

Engineered hardwood floors are constructed similar to that of basic plywood with the top surface being the actual hardwood. Products come in two to ten ply construction depending on the manufacturer. On the right a cross layer view of a higher quality product is shown with a thick wear layer and numerous alternating plies.
But They All Look The Same! Engineered hardwoods have been given a bad rap over the years because they all looked basically similar. Earlier versions had one boring looking appearance in that all were rotary peeled. Rotary peeled hardwoods offer a plywood surface appearance. Some like it, others don't. In recent years several high quality manufacturers have been offering solid sawn engineered hardwoods. Solid sawn exhibits the appearance of traditional 3/4" solid hardwoods many of us are accustomed to.

My Builder Says It's Junk!

Ask any craftsman, builder, or installer from the old school what they think about engineered flooring and the answers will likely be the same. Sure, there are many low priced engineered floors out there sold in places like Carpet One, Lowe's, and smaller retail stores. They have their place and people buy the stuff in droves.

Times Have Changed With Quality

Times have changed with engineered flooring. Many manufacturers have increased the wear layer that will result in some engineered floors lasting just as long as traditional solid 3/4 inch flooring. One of the most important factors contributing to the longevity of any hardwood floor is the amount of refinish able material.

Solid 3/4" hardwoods have approximately 1/4 of an inch above the tongue and groove construction. Once it is sanded to that level, nails or staples begin to appear and should be replaced. The better and thicker engineered hardwoods have 1/8 to 3/16" of an inch above the tongue and groove. Illustration right.

How Many Times Can The Floor Be Refinished?

How many times an engineered hardwood can be refinished should be a thought for those that plan on living with their new hardwood floor more than 10-20 years, but will depend on what you perceive as needing refinishing. Minor scratches, dings and dents add to the character of hardwood flooring. Some are fine by the added character that comes along with age and use, others may not be.

If you're seeking near perfection and desire a flawless appearance, your floors may need refinishing every five years. Choosing a product with the thickest wear layer should be considered. With the right professionals and a flat subfloor these can be successfully refinished at least two, possibly three times. Color changes may reduce this number. Finally, engineered products are more stable (minimal if any expansion and contraction)than solid hardwood due to the way they are constructed. They are often recommended¹ for in floor radiant heating systems as well.

Engineered Thickness

Choosing which thickness of engineered flooring is often a confusing one for consumers. Overall thickness of engineered floors will vary from 1/4" to 3/4" depending on what brand or manufacturer. The most common thickness seems to be 3/8" or 1/2" Which one to choose? As we've already mentioned the wear layer should be given priority in some situations.

Other factors that can come into play would include adjoining types of floor covering. Ceramic tile usually finishes at 3/8" in vertical height after thin set is applied under the tiles.² For engineered hardwoods over 1/2" in thickness, prefinished trim moldings or thresholds rarely fit right without some adjustments.

More Stable Than Traditional Hardwood

Engineered floors are the ideal solution for hardwood flooring on concrete, and there are other benefits. Most recognized is the dimensional stability of the way they are constructed. Each ply layer is pressure glued and set in the opposite direction. For those that are concerned with high humidity, engineered hardwoods expand and contract little if any, opposed to solid hardwoods.
The Length Factor...Long or Short?
Unfortunately many who purchase engineered hardwoods don't know what they're getting until the floor is being installed. The majority of prefinished engineered hardwoods have limits on lengths at 42 to 48 inches, opposed to most solid hardwoods at 72 to 84 inches. What's worse is some manufacturers may only produce a product with board lengths running as short as 8-15 inches and only up to 33 inches.

Longer lengths are preferred as they offer a more appealing or traditional look on completion. During the shopping process we suggest inquiring about the specifics. Most online companies offer specifications but we've found some to be inaccurate or too generic. Asking a local hardwood flooring dealer is likely to provide better results as they have access to more immediate and accurate information.

How Are They Installed?

 Most engineered hardwoods are installed by the glue down or floating floor method. It's important to note; not all engineered products have the same type of installation specifications. For instance, some may be floating, glue direct, or staple only. Manufacturers specify installation applications for a reason, and we suggest following them.
Other Thoughts
Unusually thick wear layers may sound attractive if presented to you. Engineered flooring too needs stability in that the underlying ply construction should be equal to or greater than the thickness of the wear layer. While engineered floors expand minimally, a force exists between the top and bottom during changes in relative humidity within the environment. Thick wear layers accompanied with a thinner form of ply construction underneath have been known to cause cupping and or crowning issues.
 
¹ Not all manufacturers warrant engineered hardwoods with radiant heat systems.
 
² Those considering engineered hardwoods on wood sub floors may run into different ceramic tile heights due to cement backer board installed under the tile.

Related Pages:

• Hardwood Samples Look Different - Same hardwood species
• Rotary Peeled, Slice, Solid Sawn Cut - Differences
• Solid Hardwood Floors

Last Updated on Saturday, 14 January 2012 08:46