Are Engineered Wood Real Hardwood

Solid wood flooring vs.

Are engineered wood real hardwood.

Engineered hardwood consists of several layers with only the top and bottom consisting of real wood. Shaw engineered hardwood flooring shaw s engineered hardwood core is made up of multiple layers of wood stacked in a cross grain configuration which minimizes expanding and shrinking. They have a plethora of finely crafted unfinished engineered flooring including modern classic and farmhouse options. The top is a solid hardwood veneer with substrates of high quality plywood layers.

Like solid wood planks engineered wood planks usually measure 5 inches wide but are generally thinner with a depth of 3 8 1 2. It is always nailed down to the subfloor a process that requires some skill. It is milled with tongues and grooves on opposite edges so that the boards interlock when installed. Solid wood flooring comes in long planks usually made of a hardwood species.

As the graphic above illustrates engineered hardwood flooring is comprised of layers of wood. Like epic plus engineered hardwood shaw engineered can be installed above on or below grade. Yes it s possible to find cheap engineered flooring but if comparing mid to good enginee. Engineered wood on the other hand is a much more convincing replica of solid hardwood for the simple reason that the surface is genuine wood.

The top layer is usually hardwood veneer but can also be composed of any hardwood you want such as cherry maple or oak. Often solid hardwood is less expensive this all depends on what you are comparing it to but sometimes solid is less expensive than a sandable engineered product. They make the whole process that much easier for all of us novices. The inner layers are made of plywood high density fiberboard or sometimes actual hardwood.

How long will an engineered wood floor last. Sometimes this is simply because the solids are more popular and sell more and hence are put on special more often. Solid hardwood floors are just that they re made from solid wood. Real wood floors make the whole process easier for us novices one company that has put my brain to rest is real wood floors.

Solid hardwood flooring is available in a wide array of wood species including oak maple and black walnut as well as regional specific choices like pecan mesquite and others. Engineered hardwood provides an advantage over solid hardwood. Rather than being solid hardwood through and through engineered wood floors bond a relatively thin layer of true hardwood over a substrate of high quality plywood. Depending on the thickness of the veneer that tops the flooring the quality of flooring used and how well you maintain your floors engineered hardwood can last a lifetime.