| When remodeling their homes, many homeowners | | | | Engineered wood flooring also has advantage over |
| prefer laminate flooring and hardwood flooring such | | | | laminate in such a way that you can sand the |
| as exotic hardwood floors; what they don't know is | | | | engineered wood after dings and scratches develop; |
| that engineered hardwood flooring can be better in | | | | however, engineered flooring can only be sanded no |
| terms of ease of installation. Laminate flooring, | | | | more than 3 times but even this still depends on how |
| though it seems similar to real wood flooring, is | | | | thick the finish layer is, so make sure to check with |
| actually not a real wood. Thus, engineered hardwood | | | | your manufacturer first after you install hardwood |
| flooring may just be the perfect choice between | | | | flooring. |
| laminate flooring and hardwood flooring. | | | | Engineered hardwood flooring also works well in area |
| Unlike laminate flooring which is also a popular choice, | | | | with light moisture such as basements, kitchens, and |
| engineered wood flooring is real and solid wood. | | | | bathrooms. However, it should not be used in wet |
| Laminate is just a melamine-infused paper on the top | | | | areas that often have flood. Nevertheless, no wood |
| and wood chip composites on the bottom. This only | | | | floor product can really be used in very wet areas. |
| means that this is not exactly what you call real | | | | It's better to choose concrete, tile, vinyl, or other |
| wood. Engineered wood floor is real wood. It is | | | | non-organic product. |
| actually a sandwich of finish wood measuring 1/16" to | | | | You might ask how to install engineered wood |
| 1/8" on top and non-finish plywood on the bottom. | | | | flooring. This also makes engineered wood flooring |
| Thus, you are looking at 100% genuine and real | | | | advantageous because it can be installed with |
| wood here. You might ask why there is a need for | | | | different methods. Compared to solid wood which |
| plywood underneath. The middle layer of plywood is | | | | must first be nailed to a subflooring, engineered |
| actually a 4mm wear surface laid crossways to the | | | | wood can be nailed down to the floor, glued down, |
| layer of hardwood floor finishes, providing additional | | | | or can also serve as a floating floor. To be nailed |
| strength to the wood flooring. | | | | down to the floor, the thinness of the engineered |
| Engineering flooring is available in different options. | | | | wood requires nailing in order to enhance stability. |
| However, the most popular are the hickory, oak, | | | | You can also glue down 1/2" thick floor and for the |
| bamboo, and maple. Another good thing about | | | | floating floor, 5/8" planks are needed. |
| engineered wood flooring is that it comes | | | | While engineered hardwood flooring is more |
| pre-finished. This means that it has already been | | | | expensive compared to the laminated flooring, it |
| sanded and sealed. As soon as you install the flooring, | | | | provides better long-term value because you can |
| you can directly and immediately walk on it. In | | | | periodically sand it to revive its wood grain and get |
| contrast, unfinished hardwood must still be sealed, | | | | rid of the scratches, thereby bringing back its original |
| and this requires the clearance of everything for a | | | | beauty and sheen. |
| few days and waiting time before it can be used. | | | | |