Custom Search

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is one of many options we now have for our decor choices. It is a man-made flooring that at first glance resembles the look of real hardwood flooring, often in such a way, that you really can't tell the difference, unless you know where to look.

Each layer is stacked in a cross-grain configuration and bonded together under heat and pressure. Because of this process, there is added stability in engineered wood flooring. It is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity and can be installed at all levels of the home.

Engineered wood flooring

Engineered wood flooring has however couple of draw backs... only certain types can be refinished , and only once (and yet it get's damaged the same as real wood). It is also quite expensive, it can cost as much or often more than the real hardwood flooring.

Durability of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Another problem with this type of flooring is the fact that there is only a handful of engineered flooring manufacturers that provide an extensive warranty for the seal and tightness of the edges.

Most of the engineered hardwood will absorb any water spilled on it through the crevices where the boards connect. Then the boards swell up and... there goes your investment, because the only solution is to replace the floor. However, it is a product that can be installed in any bathroom even one in the basement.

Possibility of Water Damage

Having said all that about the water damage due to seal penetration, engineered flooring is highly resistant to moisture due to the enhanced structural stability, as long as water has no contact with the exposed edges of the product.

Overall, engineered hardwood flooring can add touch of beauty and sophistication to your home. When you venture out shopping for the right product, please consider only the top quality panels, from reputable manufacturers, providing extensive warranties, including the seal warranty for the water penetration through the edges.

Usability of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is often chosen by many new home builders for the ease of installation and the versatility of this type of flooring. This can be installed below grade as it has the stability required in less stable and moisture sensitive environments.

The top most layer can come in many different styles, offering a wide variety of looks to please different Clients looking for unusual decor. One of such examples is the hand-scraped look of old-world-flooring. A very specific look, often considered high-end, elegant and sophisticated.

Usually, especially if the quality product is offered, the finish is durable and can be maintained with ease, so it really can be a good option for some households, but it is not necessarily suitable for all lifestyles.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Thickness

Here is a summary of the engineered hardwood flooring thickness chart based on the provided search results:

Common Thicknesses:

3/8 inch (9.53 mm)
1/2 inch (12.7 mm)
5/8 inch (15.88 mm)
3/4 inch (19.1 mm)

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Thickness:

10mm to 20mm (varies depending on the manufacturer and quality)
Thicker engineered wood flooring typically has a more solid wood wear layer, allowing for more sanding and finishing options.

Wear Layer Thickness:

1-4mm (industry standard)
Thicker wear layers (4mm or more) offer more sanding and finishing options, but may be more expensive.

Core Thickness:

7mm to 22mm (varies depending on the manufacturer and quality)

Key Considerations:

Thicker engineered wood flooring may be more expensive, but can offer more durability and sanding options.
Thinner engineered wood flooring may be more budget-friendly, but may have fewer sanding and finishing options.
The number of layers and quality of construction can affect the overall thickness and durability of the engineered hardwood flooring.

Please note that these are general guidelines and may vary depending on the specific manufacturer and product. It’s always recommended to consult with a professional or manufacturer’s specifications for specific product information.

Can Engineered Hardwood Flooring be Refinished?

Engineered hardwood flooring can be refinished only in very specific circumstances.

Several items must be checked off the list before I can tell you: "Yes, your engineered flooring can be refinished".

Please do not be upset if the answer is "No, sorry, we can not refinish this"; as most of the time, I really have no choice.

If your engineered hardwood flooring was installed using a floating method (used in the click method, without fastening each board to the subflooring with glue and nails), then we can not refinish your flooring.

If the topmost layer of your engineered hardwood flooring is thinner than 4mm, the flooring can not be refinished.

If you do have a hand-scrapped-style engineered hardwood flooring, then this one can not be refinished either.

What can go wrong?

If your home came with an engineered hardwood flooring, and you don't know who installed it, and how; and you are not sure if manufacturer's installation requirements were met.

If the flooring was fastened by gluing it down and using the right number of fasteners within specific installation parameters, or if the subflooring in the house was the right type for this style of flooring, you really can not guaranteed, that there will be no movement of the boards, when the heavy machinery is used.

This opens the doors to an array of possible problems that may not be easily rectified.

If there is even the slights movement underfoot, or if the top-most layer of wood is less than 4mm, there is a significant risk that the heavy sander may reach deeper and sand off beyond those 4mm of real wood, that the professional sander can actually work with.

If this happens, the board is damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced.

Engineered flooring manufacturers often limit the production of a specific style or colour of flooring, making in impossible to find the exact flooring, few years later.

As a company, we make a very conscious choice not to refinish Engineered hardwood flooring, because we are unable to guarantee the outcome, as often it really is unpredictable.

Top of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Return to Home Page