Pros And Cons Of Engineered Wood Flooring

Few flooring options can match the popularity of wood flooring! It seems like everyone wants it and if they can’t get it they want flooring that at least imitates the look of it. Hardwood flooring is undeniably stylish and as a timeless look to it so it’s easy to see why it is so popular.

Engineered wood flooring is a variant of hardwood flooring with the main difference being that the wood is not 100% solid wood flooring. That might sound bad but it’s important to remember that engineered hardwood top layer real wood.

The top layer wood veneer surface which is the only layer people will see when it’s installed is 100% real wood. The lower multiple layers are made from other wood-derived materials. These can vary considerably although it will often be things like timber and board mixed and glued together.

So, it isn’t a total 100% hardwood floor but it isn’t far from it. Most people won’t even be able to tell the difference once the flooring is installed. So, now you know more about engineered hardwood let’s look the pros and cons of this flooring in more detail.

Pro: The Price

While the traditional hardwood floor might be incredibly sort after, the reason imitation hardwood is so commonplace is because the “real deal” is often quite expensive. Engineered hardwood flooring is the perfect middle ground.

It’s more expensive than imitation laminate or vinyl but not as expensive as traditional hardwood. Unlike imitation laminate or vinyl though engineered hardwood is the same in appearance and texture to traditional hardwood, but it will often be cheaper.

Pro: Stylish

Engineered hardwood will look the same as traditional hardwood flooring on the surface so it looks incredibly stylish. It is also available in a number of different finishes. So if you have a particular wood you are fond of you will likely find it available in an engineered form. The main appeal of hardwood flooring is its timeless look and that is something you will get with an engineered wooden floor. Engineered oak flooring is by far the most popular wood floor, this comes in a multitude of finishes and colours.

Pro: Greater Temperature Resistance

Because of how its formed engineered hardwood flooring does have one big advantage over traditional hardwood. That is the fact that it is more resistant to moisture and changes in temperature. The wood won’t shrink or swell as much when compared to traditional hardwood. Engineered wood flooring is suitable with water-fed underfloor heating, which makes an ideal choice for any new home renovations.

Pro: Adds Value To Your Home

If installed correctly hardwood flooring will add value to your home, and this is often a tactic people employ to increase their home’s value. Engineered hardwood will accomplish the same thing and is a great way to add some extra long-term value to your property. Even if you aren’t looking to sell right now engineered hardwood flooring can be an investment for the future.

Con: Maintenance

Hardwood flooring of any kind will take quite a lot of maintenance to keep its shine and lustre. Engineered wood is no different in this respect, therefore not particularly suitable to home’s with pets or young children unless you are prepared to keep up with regular maintenance.

Con: Potentially Weak

There is a lot of variety to engineered hardwood flooring and some manufacturers will use very cheap and weak materials to build their flooring. It might look good on the surface but end up being very weak and unstable after just a short time. Do your research when buying engineered hardwood flooring to ensure you are buying from a high-quality manufacturer.

Con: Fading

This is another con that engineered hardwood shares with traditional hardwood flooring. Too much contact with UV rays will cause the wood to fade away and this isn’t a problem that can be easily fixed if left for too long. Thankfully you can minimise the risk of fading buy keeping your curtains/ blinds closed or using some rugs to cover more vulnerable areas.

The Verdict

So, what is the final verdict on engineered hardwood flooring? While there are undoubtedly some cons to be aware of many of these are issues you would experience with traditional hardwood flooring as well.

So, you aren’t really any worse off by choosing engineered hardwood flooring instead. You can get the same stylish and timeless look but often for a cheaper price. As long as you ensure you are buying your engineered flooring from a high-quality manufacturer and take time to ensure it is properly maintained you will have a beautiful floor you can enjoy for years to come.

Here is a link to all the engineered flooring we sell.