Hardwood flooring offers a unique style that has stood the test of time. Unfortunately, traditional hardwood planks themselves have not. Solid hardwood flooring is more fragile than most homeowners realize. The long-term expense often outweighs the initial savings.

This is where engineered hardwood comes in. It's still an authentic wood option, but features an innovative design that allows it to overcome the challenges that face solid hardwood. Even better, the price usually isn't much different. Here, we will briefly discuss why you should consider engineered hardwood for your next flooring purchase.

Moisture resistance

Hardwood floors are often chosen over carpet because we believe they are easier to clean. After all, carpet spills pretty much mean that you have to stop everything and try to soak the fluids out before they seep through the cushion (provided you don't have waterproof carpet). With hardwood floors, it's as simple as wiping it up and going about your day, right?

Actually, no. Wood naturally absorbs moisture - including a solid piece of hardwood that has been repurposed as a flooring plank. Over time, this absorption can cause the planks to expand. Since hardwood planks are measured and installed to fit perfectly, this expansion can cause solid hardwood planks to warp.

Wood is a natural material that reacts to changes in its environment. Wood floors will expand and contract depending on the temperature and humidity range inside your home. Keeping temperature and humidity at the recommended level is essential for keeping your hardwood floors looking great. As a general rule, with geographic exceptions, wood flooring will perform best when the interior environment is controlled to stay within a relative humidity range of 35 to 55 percent and a temperature range of 60° to 80° Fahrenheit.

Engineered hardwood features a layered design that resists moisture. In fact, some engineered hardwood floors are completely waterproof. The surface features a wear layer designed to prevent spills from absorbing into the plank. And when engineered hardwood is installed using the click method, a moisture barrier is created between the planks so that spills never seep through
the subfloor.

Durability

The wear layer included with engineered hardwood also protects the flooring from scrapes, scratches and dents. These are some of the most common problems with solid hardwood. Of course, the rustic scraped and chiseled looks are currently trending, but these styles can still be found with engineered hardwood. Even if the surface is stained or damaged, engineered wood floors can still be sanded and refinished.

The layered design also holds up against frequent foot traffic. Each engineered plank includes a core designed to maintain stability. Additional layers are then bonded to the core. In addition to handling traffic, this also prevents each plank from expanding or contracting with temperature changes.



Installation

Installing engineered hardwood floors is a snap - literally! The tongue in groove design (along with other similar designs) allows each plank to simply snap together. Even better, many of these installation systems form a barrier that completely blocks moisture from seeping through. If one panel is damaged, it can simply be replaced with another by snapping each piece out and in.

Considering new floors? Make an informed choice with a visit to Wisconsin's top flooring experts at CarpetsPlus of Wisconsin today!