Engineered Hardwood Flooring Advice From Experts
You may be researching all the different flooring types and wondering which is best for your home’s upcoming upgrade. While the possibilities may seem endless, engineered hardwood flooring is gaining popularity as a durable yet cheaper option than their domestic and international hardwood competitors. But what is some good advice on which floors are right for your home? Continue reading to find out more, and also how Nature Wood Floors, a wholesale hardwood flooring company, can help you pick the right flooring type for your home. We even ship throughout the United States!
What Is Engineered Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood is slightly different from your average hardwood floors, as hardwood will come straight from a tree to your home’s floor. Engineered hardwood is made of several layers, with the outermost being a hardwood veneer, typically a thin slice of whatever hardwood you like. The inner layers are then made of plywood, high density fiberboard, or hardwood. The core layers will make the floor more stable than regular hardwood, while the outermost layer still adds elegance and beauty to your floors. Engineered hardwood is more sturdy and truer to it’s name than hardwood laminate as its outermost layer is a picture of hardwood, not consisting of a thin layer of hardwood.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Choosing solid versus engineered wood relies on the type of subfloor, the wood’s width, humidity levels and temperatures, and the overall dimensions of the space where the floor is being installed. Engineered hardwood is more moisture-resistant than traditional hardwoods, being designed to reduce any moisture problems seen in more conventional hardwood types, and helps block moisture and spills. Engineered wood won’t warp or swell, either, providing added stability to your floor in general with its multi-layers of wood protection. Taking care of the floors are equally important, in whichever type you choose. Traditional hardwood floors will have several different stain options, and can vary greatly based on the age of the stain. Coatings like polyurethane, water-based urethane or conversion varnishes may require a full recoating process and washing of the floors to maintain their sheen and vibrancy. Speaking with a wholesale hardwood flooring specialist can also help you in determining what is best to maintain beautiful floors for years to come. Engineered wood is very low maintenance, requiring some sanding and restaining every few years or so. Picking a reputable and reliable engineered hardwood can make a big difference as well, as some of these hardwoods are made more cheaply than others, and the outermost veneer can be very thin or poorly made that they can prematurely fade or warp.
Hardwood Care
To take ultra good care of your hardwood floors, sweep or dust every other day to avoid having the dust settle into the grain and between the floorboards, as well as vacuum weekly. Avoid using steam or wet mops, as these have been shown to cause more damage to the floors over time, according to the National Wood Flooring Association. If there are spills on your floor, use a dry or slightly damp cloth to immediately clean and wipe up the stain. Using entryway rugs can help assist in trapping dirt and potential messes before they hit your floor, and use pads underneath any furniture that’s placed on your hardwood floors to keep it safe.
