You can chalk the popularity of engineered hardwood flooring among homeowners primarily up to its affordability over solid hardwood.
There are more reasons, though. It’s highly functional and a great way to increase your home’s resale value. With a little care and maintenance, engineered hardwood floors from The Reno Superstore should last you for 20 to 40 years.
Why You Should Invest in Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a classic choice. No one can deny that it’s both beautiful and adds to the value of your property. However, it’s also expensive and difficult to maintain.
Engineered hardwood flooring is the perfect solution for homeowners who want the feel of real hardwood floors without the attendant cost.
What is engineered hardwood flooring?
This manmade type of flooring is created using multiple layers of various materials.
The topmost layer (a.k.a. the veneer or wear layer) is made using a thin slice of real hardwood to create the authentic texture of solid hardwood.
The central layer is made using various synthetics, including plywood, which adds to its thickness and makes it weather resistant.
Engineered hardwood can have a matte, semi-gloss, or high-gloss finish known for its durability.
Here are nine reasons why installing it is a good idea.
1. It’s Affordable
Solid hardwood floors from The Reno Superstore are 100% natural wood and quite an investment. Engineered hardwood flooring, on the other hand, is a considerably more budget-friendly option.
2. It’s Easy to Install
If you’re a DIY enthusiast and want to install your own floor, then engineered hardwood flooring is a great choice. Solid hardwood planks are thicker and more challenging for first-time floor installers.
Engineered hardwood is easier to install as the planks are wider, which helps to cover a greater area of the floor with fewer joints. Simple stapling or nailing is usually the go-to method but the glue-down and click-lock variants are quite popular as well. However, it’s a good idea to hire The Reno Superstore’s professional flooring installation services if doing it for the first time. After all, if your DIY project doesn’t go as planned, you may have to spend more to salvage it.
3. It’s Durable and Strong
Engineered hardwood flooring is durable and quite resilient. While solid hardwood tends to crack and warp when exposed to a certain environment, engineered hardwood stays strong. The main reason for its durability and strength is the way it’s made; using several layers of plywood and other materials compressed together.
The planks of engineered hardwood usually measure as below:
- Thickness: 0.37 to 0.75 inches
- Length: 12.0 to 60.0 inches
- Width: 2.25 to 7.0 inches
This makes them capable of withstanding heavy foot traffic in either homes or businesses. According to experts, this quality minimizes warping and cracking, making them ideal for concrete floors and radiant heating systems.
4. It Resists Temperature and Moisture
Compared to solid wood and laminate, engineered hardwood flooring is more resistant to temperature and moisture, making it a good choice for kitchen floors. It is manufactured using a layer of plywood, joined together with glue, and topped with a lamella of real hardwood. This characteristic helps to retain its original shape and maintain stability.
5. There Are a Variety of Options
Homeowners look for unique textures and colors for their floors. This enables them to elevate their space and set it apart. Engineered hardwood flooring allows them to do just that. Available in various species, designs, finishes, and grades, it is also priced to suit every budget and style. For instance, if you’re looking for high-quality, tough, antique-looking glossy floors at a low cost, then consider engineered hardwood.
6. It Resembles Hardwood
Since the topmost layer (the lamella) is made from real wood, it mimics solid hardwood floors remarkably. Most users will not be able to differentiate between the two in terms of their look and feel.
The main difference lies in the number of layers used in manufacturing engineered hardwood or the thickness of the floor. However, it is hard to doubt the authenticity of the finished floors once they’ve been installed.
7. It’s Easy to Maintain
Unlike solid hardwood floors which require sanding and refinishing, engineered hardwood floors are fairly easy to maintain. This makes them cost-effective and saves you both time and energy.
They will naturally face some wear and tear and lose some of their lusters with time, but this can easily be fixed. Unlike solid hardwood, which requires more vigilant upkeep, engineered hardwood floors are fine with simple dusting and mopping.
8. It’s Easy to Refinish
Engineered flooring can be easily refinished. However, it’s important to understand that refinishing will depend on the thickness of the top layer of wood. Keep in mind that each time you sand, it will lose a certain amount of thickness and may eventually require replacement.
9. It Creates High Resale Value
Engineered hardwood flooring is a premium flooring choice that can add to your property value. According to some sources, environmentally conscious buyers may even prefer engineered hardwood flooring to solid hardwood as it tends to use far less wood, making it the greener choice.
The bottom line is that engineered hardwood flooring from The Reno Superstore is a great option if you’re planning to upgrade your floors but don’t want to break the bank. They’re an affordable, stylish, and durable option that adds warmth and beauty to your space. Consult our experts when considering a flooring renovation to make the most informed decision.