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What is Engineered Wood Flooring?

What is Engineered Wood Flooring?

There are many flooring options out there, but nothing beats the warmth and charm of a wooden floor. It has a long tradition of luxury and a timeless beauty. If you're thinking about buying one but are put off by the potential wear and tear and high maintenance, another option to consider is engineered hardwood flooring.

What is engineered wood flooring, and is it the best option for your space? We have some important and helpful essentials to keep in mind as you consider engineered wood floor options.

 

How is Engineered Hardwood Made?

Unlike conventional hardwood, which comes straight out of a tree and into your home, engineered hardwood flooring is a more complex product that consists of several layers. The outermost layer is a hardwood veneer, which is a thin slice of wood (about less than 1/8") of whatever species you prefer. The inner layers are made of plywood, high-density fiberboard or hardwood. The core layers make the product more stable than regular solid hardwood, while the outer veneer layer adds beauty and authenticity. To learn more about the difference between solid and engineered hardwood, check out our other blog here.

Solid Hardwood vs Engineered Hardwood Comparison

Since their invention in the 1960s, engineered hardwood floors have improved in appearance and performance. They are available in dozens of wood species, and now with new surface effects, such as hand scraped, these boards now look just right in any style house, whether it's a vintage, 70's retro style, or even contemporary!

 

Where Can You Lay Engineered Wood Flooring?

Engineered wood flooring, unlike solid hardwood flooring, is suitable for basically every room in the house. It's perfect for high traffic areas, such as hallways and living rooms. Some engineered floors can even be safely used in spaces that solid hardwood isn't recommended, like bathrooms and basements which have higher than normal moisture levels.

 

What Types of Engineered Hardwood Are Available?

When selecting engineered hardwood, it is important to consider the different finishes, surfaces, and thicknesses available to make the right choice for your home. Engineered wood flooring is available in a number of styles to fit your home's aesthetic.

 

Finish

There are a number of finishes available on the market today. One kind is a brushed finish, which helps show the texture of the grain. Another is the distressed finish which gives it a nice antique look.

 

Surface

The surface treatment also varies. For instance, an oily surface brings out the grain of the wood but requires more care than lacquers. Lacquers come in matte and satin finishes. Matte lacquer gives a very natural look, and the satin finish increases the durability of the wood.

 

Thickness

The range of thickness for engineered wood ranges from 3/8" – ¾". If the flooring is thinner, then it can't be refinished, and depending on the traffic the space gets, its lifetime can last from 20-30 years. The thicker the flooring, the longer it will last. The top layer is the thicker part, which will help you to sand and refinish only about 2-3 times during its long lifetime. So, depending on if you go thicker and again the traffic your space goes through, it could even last 40-80 years. It's a win no matter what!

Now that you know a bit more about engineered hardwood, check out our engineered wood flooring options to find the best choice for your home!


At Avalon Flooring, we want to make sure you're happy from your first step in our showroom to your first step on your new flooring—and as your partner in home design, we'll be there every step along the way. Consider us your "One-Stop Shopping" destination for all things flooring…(and window treatments)!

Our design consultants are equipped with the knowledge to guide you through the wide selection of products we offer, and our expert installation team is professionally trained to make sure everything gets installed the way you envision. We know your home is an expression of your sense of style, and we're here to make sure you'll be proud of it for years to come.

If you have any questions, please email us.

Brick, NJ

540 Rt. 70 West
Brick, NJ 08723
(732) 899-4477

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Avalon, NJ

2209 Dune Drive
Avalon, New Jersey 08202
Phone: (609) 961-4200

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Deptford, NJ

1420 Almonesson Road
Deptford NJ 08096
(856) 812-6120

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Cherry Hill, NJ

2030 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

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Egg Harbor Twp, NJ

3157 Fire Road
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234
(609) 641-2770

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King of Prussia, PA

316 S. Henderson Road
King Of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 233-3100

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Langhorne, PA

2343 East Lincoln Highway
Langhorne, PA 19047
(267) 580-412

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Manahawkin, NJ

651 Route 72 East
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-9700

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Manalapan, NJ

29 U.S. 9
Manalapan Township, NJ 07726
(732) 812-6500

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Ocean City, NJ

1158 Asbury Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 525-0400

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Ocean Township, NJ

1500 State Route 35 S.
Ocean Township, NJ 07712
(732) 380-5640

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Philadelphia, PA

48 Snyder Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 236-1600

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Rio Grande, NJ

1111 Rte. 47 South
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
(609) 465-3051

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Shrewsbury, NJ

89 Newman Springs Road E
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
(848) 300-4400

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Toms River, NJ

2323 Route 37
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 929-8300

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Warrington, PA

644 Easton Road
Warrington, PA 18976
(215) 491-3700

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Wilmington, DE

5510 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 757-7500

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