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Engineered Hardwood Flooring FAQ
Home improvement projects and new construction always raise questions about the products you are considering. If you've never had experience with hardwood flooring, you may wonder what the difference is between solid and engineered hardwood. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) aren't always easy to get answers to, but we've tried. Here are a few engineered hardwood flooring FAQ with answers.
There are some very commonly asked questions concerning engineered hardwood flooring. This article will concentrate on some of the engineered hardwood flooring FAQ (frequently asked questions) so that you will be better informed about your flooring choice.
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Question:
What is the difference between engineered hardwood flooring and regular hardwood flooring?
Answer:
Hardwood flooring is composed of a solid piece of hardwood, while engineered hardwood flooring is composed of layers of an inexpensive and easily replenishable wood and then the top layer is hardwood. All of these layers are glued together to make a solid piece of flooring.
Question:
What are the benefits of engineered hardwood flooring?
Answer:
Engineered hardwood flooring can be installed in any room in your home, even rooms that are prone to moisture. Due to the layers in engineered hardwood flooring, they are more resistant to moisture. Engineered hardwood flooring is also less expensive than its hardwood counterparts. It can also be installed over radiant heating.
Question:
What kinds of wood are used in engineered hardwood flooring?
Answer
You can find all different kinds of woods that are used for the top layer of engineered hardwood flooring. Oak, beech, pine, ash, and other common woods are used for engineered hardwood flooring, as well as more exotic species of wood like bamboo or teak.
Question:
How many layers are there in engineered hardwood flooring?
Answer
It is very common for engineered hardwood flooring to have three layers in the core of the flooring and then a top hardwood layer. The more layers, the stronger the flooring is and some flooring manufacturers have started using five to seven layers of wood for the core to make their flooring more durable.
Question:
Is it possible to refinish engineered hardwood flooring?
Answer:In most cases, the answer is yes, but it will need to be done by a professional. The good news is that with the finish that is used on most engineered hardwood flooring, there should be no need for refinishing for several years. These finishes are very durable and able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear. But engineered floors have only so many refinishes in them before you've worked your way through the top layer into the core.
Question:
Is engineered hardwood flooring good for the do-it-yourselfer?
Answer:
It is ideal for the do-it-yourselfer because it can be installed over almost any subflooring, including existing flooring as long as it is a smooth surface. Most engineered hardwood flooring is a floating floor, which means that you only have to lay down a vapor barrier and then install the flooring. Then you simply click and lock the flooring together and in no time you have a beautiful new floor.
Question:
Where can you find engineered hardwood flooring?
Answer:
You can find engineered hardwood flooring at most flooring stores in many different wood varieties. The more exotic woods may be a little more difficult to find, but you should be able to order them if you cannot find them at your local home improvement or flooring stores. Ask at your local store if you cannot find the wood that you are looking for.
Answering your engineered hardwood flooring FAQ is the best way for you to learn more about this wonderful flooring choice. Knowledge is the key to making the best decision for your home and your family.
Comments
Hi Jessica, real hardwood and engineered hardwood can both be installed over a crawl space. Bamboo is extremely tough and durable. You can read my posts about Bamboo and decide for yourself which you think is the better option for you and your rough and ready boys!
The Flooring Lady at July 23, 2009 01:33 PM
We bought and installed Mirage eng. wood floor. Only two weeks after installation we have splits on the floor in quite couple places. This suppose to be the best brand and quite expencive. Any ides why splits, everyware I read it, it is not usual for this type of floor. We installed floor on the first floor over concreat. Not a dry place. Any suggestions what to do?
ellen at July 24, 2009 09:52 PM
Mirage offers a warranty and if the flooring is only 2 weeks old I would contact them regarding the splits. I would also contact your installer as they can help to determine why the flooring would split. Mirage has a HOW-TO on their site that addresses correct installation. http://www.miragefloors.com/ENG/installation-engineered-hardwood.php
The Flooring Lady at July 27, 2009 08:02 AM
I installed a glue down engineered floor over concrete. At the time, the ends of the boards seemed to be higher as if the were bowed leaving little peaks where they met the next board. I thought they may flatten out over time but they never did. Is there anything I can do now or should I replace the floors and install them differently next time? Thanks, Doug
Doug at August 26, 2009 02:27 AM
Doug,
There are a variety of reasons for the peaks. Uneven concrete could be the culprit or perhaps upon installation the adhesive used wasn't quite up to the challenge!
Your dilemma does bring up a few questions. The humidity in a room can affect the boards as well. Did you have a humidity test done before laying the planks? If not did you allow the planks to sit in the room for at least seven day to acclimate to your humidity? Did you weight down the areas that seemed slightly bowed when installing? Had the concrete been sealed or painted prior to installation? That would have needed to have been removed by sanding or grinding, if that had not been done that could affect adhesion.
Whew that is a mouth full and all those things do matter! Regarding ripping out the floor if you chose to do that I would use Bostick's Best Glue for your adhesive. Remember to check the humidity and look into perhaps a subfloor if uneven concrete is the culprit!
The Flooring Lady at August 27, 2009 10:07 AM
We bought our home in July 2007 with an entranceway and long hallway that is in engineered wood and because of a leak repair under, there is now a 4ft square area where the wood is removed. We have no extra wood to put there. Is there a place we could buy the little bit we need instead having to spend thousands to replace all of the engineered wood.
Anonymous at September 26, 2009 01:16 PM
Hi.
I would check with local flooring stores. Many times the "left overs" from their jobs are sold at much cheaper prices, and are still new (like carpet remnants).
If that isn't an option, I would look-up the manufacturer and call them, they may be able to sell you just what you need.
The Flooring Lady at September 29, 2009 09:49 AM
I have an glue installed engineered hardwood floor. One of the plants in the house was over watered and the excess water seeped onto the floor under the planter. (This was before we had the dollies for the plants) Now we have a water damaged spot on the finish about 10" dia., spanning over 3-4 boards of floor. It is close to a wall, so would the preferrable solution be to sand down and refinish or just replace the boards?
jdublup at October 19, 2009 01:36 PM
jdublup,
Sanding the damaged area and refinishing would be much easier than replacing the boards. If this is an unnoticeable area, it wouldn't show very much if it is slightly different from the rest of the floor. The difficult part is going to depend on how deep the damage goes. If the boards are damaged all the way through, you may have to replace them.
The Flooring Lady at October 22, 2009 09:15 AM
Help! We just installed engineered wood floors and a "helpful family member" decided to help us by cleaning them with a WET chemical swifter pad! The flooring is Maple with a black walnut stain and now it has a dull, sticky film. Before I damage it further, what would you suggest?
Laurie at November 17, 2009 10:48 AM
