Well, let's jump right in. Engineered wood flooring solves a lot of the problems that solid hardwood and laminate flooring have. A few of those problems here:
Engineered vs. Solid vs. Laminate Flooring. Briefly
- Solid Hardwood: does not tolerate moisture well.
- Solid Hardwood: can have uneven quality.
- Laminate Flooring: does not tolerate moisture well.
- Laminate Flooring: fake wood; cannot be sanded.
With engineered wood flooring, a veneer of fine hardwood is laid on top of plywood. The veneer and plywood are laid at 90 degree angles to each other, which is done on purpose--to give the flooring better structural stability. Since the veneer is real wood, it can be sanded. Not forever, but maybe lightly sanded two or three times. It is a veneer, after all. By using real wood for the surface, engineered flooring avoids the perennial problem that has caused many a sleepless night for laminate flooring manufacturers: how to make the darn thing look real.
Engineered Wood Flooring Buying
In years past, engineered flooring admittedly had a "too smooth, too perfect" look, to my taste. Now, makers of the engineered stuff have gotten with the program, and it is possible to buy:
Raining on the Engineered Flooring Party?
Dan Cosgrove, CEO of Brazilian Direct, a solid hardwood flooring provider, on his website adds this bit of reality to the discussion:
The industry does not have many engineered floors with over ten years history, and certainly not any with 200 years experience. This is my philosophy: since I can save you money on Solid ¾ Brazilian Cherry or other exotics, you can afford ¾ plywood and could engineer your own floor by laminating ¾ plywood and solid hardwood flooring. I know this: this floor will not delaminate and will still be there, looking beautiful after 200 years.
None of which I doubt for one minute. The core is plywood, for heaven's sake. Ever seen a construction site with exposed plywood? After only a few months, the stuff begins to peel apart and self-destruct like you wouldn't believe. Sure, engineered flooring is interior, not exterior, and the core is covered with veneer. But still. It gives you food for thought when it comes to the longevity of your house.
Comments
You are taking a chance putting the solid hardwoods down on concrete slabs. Because you don’t have any idea how your concrete was put in. That could cause moisture to come into your flooring. And putting plastic down and then plywood before can cause the floor not to breath and ruin the hardwoods. Is this correct
Yes. The plastic-and-plywood method has been used for ages, but every homeowner who does this still crosses his/her fingers in this hopes that nothing wrong will happen. With basement flooring, there is no sure answer.
Blockboard cores and high quality glues are essential, in manufacturing superior, long-life engineered wood flooring.