Engineered Hardwood Flooring can be an Excellent Alternative
Engineered Hardwood Flooring is like everything else in Life: You Get what you Pay For. If your only experience with engineered hardwood flooring has been the cheap stuff, chances are you feel all engineered hardwood flooring is like that. The good news then, is that there are some very excellent quality products out there, and sometimes there are advantages to going with Engineered instead of Solid hardwood flooring.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring Can Be More Resistant to Heat and Moisture
Engineered hardwood flooring is produced in layers, using heat, industrial adhesive and high pressure. Consequently, it’s not as affected by fluctuations in humidity as solid wood planks might be. That means the product is an excellent choice for kitchens, baths and other areas where moisture is to be expected. They are also more suitable for installation over in-floor heating systems, for that very same reason.
Engineered hardwood flooring is also great for basements or unfinished rooms, provided the proper moisture barrier has been installed between the sub-floor and the hardwood planks.
The “Wear Layer” Thickness Determines How Long your Engineered Hardwood Flooring Will Last
Engineered flooring is manufactured with an underlayment of up to 12 cross layers. Typically these layers are hardwood, birch or pine, glued then pressed together under heat. The top layer of decorative wood – the beautiful hardwood you see once the flooring is installed – is then fused over this lasting base.
That “Wear Layer” on top of the underlayment can be anywhere from 1MM thick, which is the least expensive and least able to stand up to a refinishing/resurfacing, up to 4MMs thick, which should be expected to last 50 to 80 years with 3 to 5 resurfacings over that time. The longer the flooring is expected to last, the more you will need to invest to own it.
Artisan Hardwood Floors can Help You Choose the Right Hardwood Flooring for Your Needs
This is the level of service and dedication we bring to the Reno/Tahoe community. We will work directly with you, helping you choose exactly the right products to fit your desires into your budget. I will personally consult with you and supervise your installation, doing as much of the work myself as is necessary. My team consists of the very best hand-picked people I can find, and we take our reputation for Excellence, seriously.
Please contact me right now so we can schedule your initial, complimentary consultation.
Sorin Giurca
775.830.4243