When Innovation Takes Root: The Modern Advancements in Engineered Wood Flooring

 Look at the floor of a 1910 foursquare or 1970s raised ranch and you'll likely see a rich expanse of solid strips of American hardwood. A closer inspection, however, will reveal that's just a thin veneer layer on top of several more layers of wood -- all glued to form a plywood sandwich, or engineered hardwood floor. Invented in the 1960s, engineered wood floors now account for about 30 percent of all wood flooring sold in America. They're available in a wide variety of species, surface effects (such as hand scraped or weathered) and finishes, so you'll be able to find the perfect fit for any style of home.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered Wood Flooring Dubai is less susceptible to moisture than solid wood, which means it doesn't shrink and swell over time. As a result, you can install these floors in places where solid wood won't, such as basements. They're also more stable than traditional solid floors and can be laid over underfloor heating.

Benefit of engineered wood

Another benefit of engineered wood is its price: It can be much more budget-friendly than natural hardwood. Engineered wood can cost as little as $2.50 per square foot, while a comparable natural wood floor might cost $10 or more.

Plywood-based floor is typically more water-resistant

When shopping for an engineered wood floor, pay attention to the veneer thickness and offered finishes. Thicker veneers are more durable and can be refinished multiple times over the course of a lifetime, whereas thinner veneers are more susceptible to damage. Also keep in mind that some Best Engineered Wood Flooring have a layer of plywood, MDF or HDF on the bottom, while others don't. A plywood-based floor is typically more water-resistant than MDF or HDF, which are more prone to warping and mold growth.

Dark stain over it to mask the lighter color underneath

One drawback of engineering wood is that it's prone to fading in direct sunlight, just like solid wood. Shoppers can mitigate this problem by opting for a color or pattern that's more resistant to fade, or by buying a light-colored floor and applying a dark stain over it to mask the lighter color underneath.

Also, shoppers should be aware that some engineered wood floors emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) when they're installed and in use. You can minimize this by opting for low- or no-VOC engineered wood.

Conclusion

Finally, keep in mind that some engineered wood floors are made as "floating" products, which snap together and don't need to be nailed or glued down. This type of installation can make a floor more stable, but it can be difficult to install if you're working with a concrete subfloor. Shoppers should be sure to ask manufacturers if their floating engineered wood floors are pre-glued or can be glued down during installation.