Engineered Wood Flooring - More Than Meets the Eye

Engineered wood flooring offers you the classicmore pronounced grain, and finishes with a satin
elegance and beauty of solid hardwood combinedluster or an antique patina are less likely to show
with enhanced stability. It can be used in placeswear and tear. Areas in the home that have
where solid wood cannot be installed. This is due toconsiderable use, such as entryways, can be further
the fact that it is both a natural and a man-madeprotected by the proper use of suitable mats and
product.throws. If an area sustains surface damage, it can
Engineered wood is like a sandwich. The top, oreven be refinished. Because the top layer of
surface layer, is made of a genuine fine hardwoodengineered wood flooring is made from fine
veneer, which retains all the beauty and character ofhardwoods, there is a vast selection of varieties
its particular type of wood. This veneer is glued to afrom which to choose. The colors are natural, subtle
core made of three or more layers of hardwood,and run the full gamut of neutral tones. Different
plywood or high-density fiberboard. The quality ofsawing methods create distinctly different
engineered flooring directly affects the cost andappearances in the grain of the same wood,
warranty. Generally, the more layers there are, theproviding even more possibilities. For the decor of
higher the quality. During its fabrication, the layers areyour home, this means that your flooring will enhance
placed at different angles, and the result is increasedany design choice and blend easily with your own
stability. This greatly reduces the wood's chances ofpersonal style.
warping due to humidity. This feature allowsOnce you have selected and installed your floor, you
engineered flooring to be used in basements andwill be delighted to learn how easy it is to clean.
even bathrooms. That was impossible when only solidWood flooring naturally has a hard and smooth
hardwood was the option for wood flooring. Thissurface and so it easily repels dirt and dust. It also
stability also enables it to be laid over concrete floorsdoes not provide a haven for dust mites and other
or floors with radiant heating. In fact, any suitablemicroscopic invaders. This inherent feature of wood
existing floor that is stable and flat can be usedimproves air quality and helps make your home
under engineered flooring. The flooring is milled for ahealthier and safer.
perfectly tight fit and quick installation. You can danceRegular sweeping or vacuuming and an occasional dry
on your floor the same day it is installed!mopping are usually all that are required to maintain
Most engineered wood flooring is finished in thewood flooring in its finest condition. Wood flooring
factory and the finishes used are generally muchgenerally does not need to be cleaned with water. If,
more durable than any that can be applied on the jobhowever, any further cleaning is necessary,
site. The factory finishes carry guarantees, varying inmanufacturers provide the names of appropriate
length from ten to thirty years.products. Clearly, engineered wood flooring offers
Durability is not just dependent on the hardness ofyou the advantages of fine hardwood without its
the finish but also on the species of wood chosendrawbacks. If you are seeking unrivaled beauty,
for the veneer layer. Generally, the density of thevalue, durability, strength and flexibility all in one
wood determines its hardness. Harder woods andproduct, consider an engineered wood floor for your
glossier surfaces show damage sooner than softerhome.
woods and surfaces with less sheen. Those with a