500+ 5 star reviews
Bedroom-with-Engineered-Hardwood-Floor

Hardwood flooring has been a staple in homes worldwide since the 17th century. Its durable, sustainable, and hypoallergenic qualities make it a popular choice among today’s products. While hardwood maintains global acclaim, the price tag isn’t always affordable. This is where engineered wood flooring comes in.

At SCV Floorsmith, we specialize in engineered hardwood flooring and a variety of other flooring options. As a leader in installation and refinishing, we often receive questions about the pros and cons of our many products. One of the most asked about is Engineered hardwood. Here, we’ll delve deeper into the beauty and benefits of this flooring so you can decide if it’s right for your home.

What is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

Before deciding on a floor material, it helps to know what each product is made of and how it works in a home. Engineered hardwood flooring is designed to look and feel like authentic hardwood. Where a hardwood floor is made up of a solid piece of wood from a maple, walnut, oak, or cherry tree, engineered hardwood has a plywood core with a thin hardwood exterior.

Cost and Other Benefits of Using
Engineered Hardwood Flooring

The use of plywood in this flooring makes it approximately 1/3 of the price of a traditional hardwood floor. This varies from product to product. While you don’t get the lifespan of hardwood (up to 100 years), high-quality engineered wood can last up to 30 years if well-maintained. Along with the affordability, you can count on an abundance of benefits to using engineered hardwood flooring.

Creaky Floorboard

High Durability and Fewer Creaky Floorboards

One of the great things about engineered hardwood flooring is the multiple layers within each board. The way this wood is crafted fuses these layers under intense pressure, making it difficult for moisture to work its way in.

Where a traditional hardwood expands and contracts during humid summers or in high-moisture zones in the home, engineered wood maintains the integrity of its original structure. This means fewer creaking floorboards and a more durable floor, even in areas where standard hardwood wouldn’t typically fare.

Bathroom Engineered Hardwood

Anywhere Installation

As noted above, engineered hardwood is an optimal choice for rooms where you wouldn’t generally think to apply hardwood. This opens the door to new possibilities in terms of style and aesthetics. From covering cement floors in the basement to infusing the master bath with a hardwood nature ambiance, the sky is the limit.

Engineered Hardwood Styles

Wide Range of
Styles and Colors

Like standard hardwood, engineered hardwood can be purchased to look like cherry, oak, maple, or walnut. It can also be stained, have patterns applied, or be customized into different shapes that you might not find traditional hardwood available in.

Engineered Hardwood Floor Maintenance

Anywhere Installation

As noted above, engineered hardwood is an optimal choice for rooms where you wouldn’t generally think to apply hardwood.This opens the door to new possibilities in terms of style and aesthetics. From covering cement floors in the basement to infusing the master bath with a hardwood nature ambiance, the sky is the limit.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring FAQs

Do you still have questions about potentially choosing engineered hardwood flooring? You’re not alone. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive here at SCV Floorsmith.

What should I use to clean my engineered hardwood flooring?

A. Controlling dirt and dust is the first step in managing engineered hardwood flooring. Sweep or vacuum every day to minimize debris. After this, you’ll want to opt for a pH-neutral cleaner. This means a cleaner that isn’t too acidic or too alkaline. Mop at least once a week, but no more than once every three days, to keep floors looking fresh and clean.

What is meant by "engineered hardwood acclimation time"?

A. When you use engineered hardwood, it takes approximately 72 hours for the boards to acclimate to your home’s temperature and moisture levels. This isn’t always necessary, but in states with high humidity or during a wet season, follow this rule to avoid gaps or warping after installation.

Will the floor be uniform?

A. The size and shape of each plank will be uniform, but like standard hardwood flooring, engineered wood looks a little different plank by plank. No two are exactly alike because the exterior is covered by a real hardwood finish.

Call SCV Flooring Today to Learn More

If you live in or around Naperville, or South Barrington, Illinois, and are considering new floors, we’ve got you covered.

Book your flooring consultation online or call us at 661-476-5034 for Naperville or 224-252-8911 for South Barrington.

Room with engineered hardwood flooring

Further Reading: Related Blog Post Topics

Share This Page