Kitchen hardwood

Four things you must know about engineered hardwood flooring

We tend to hear some of the same questions over again, so we'll tell you about the five things you should know BEFORE you buy hardwood flooring that is engineered.


1. Engineered hardwood flooring is real wood and will add value to your home. The only difference between engineered and solid hardwood is the construction. Rather than being one solid piece of wood through the plank, this version is layered. The top layer is a slab of genuine timber right from the forest. Underneath are layers of wood combined with some other materials. They are positioned crosswise, and that is what gives the product more stability. 


2. It doesn't expand and shrink to adjust to the weather, and it is better able to handle water. It has more versatility in installation possibilities. No hardwood, whether solid or engineered, should be installed as flooring in full-service bathrooms because, what with the tub and shower, it's known as the wettest room in the house. However, this is fine for powder rooms. 

The bedroom is another matter. Since it's not as public and visible as, say, the living room, it can often not be as much of a priority in which to spend money. No matter how much it may be desired, hardwood is often not installed there. Engineered is less expensive than solid, so now you can have these floors in your Baton Rouge bedroom.


3. It can be refinished. There seems to be a persistent rumor that it can't be, but that's not true. What we WILL tell you is that the number of times it can be sanded will depend upon thickness.


4. They can last a lifetime. It's like anything, the better you take care of it; the longer it will last. Wipe spills immediately, don't drag furniture across the room, placemats strategically in front and sinks and entrances, keep pet nails trimmed, avoid wearing stilettos on the floors and you'll have them for years.


For more information, visit the Wholesale Flooring & Granite showroom in Baton Rouge, LA.