Many mistakenly think solid is the only
version of hardwood flooring. Solid is harvested from trees, rolled into logs,
and then cut into various grain patterns. However, there is another version,
and it is taking a significant share of the wood flooring industry. Called
engineered wood flooring, it appeals to
people who want both beauty and practicality.
Differences
are due to construction. While solid is
one thickness throughout, which makes the fiber lie in a parallel position,
engineered in layered. At the top is your species-of-choice, called the veneer
layer; this gives the floor the same beautiful undertones, quirky knots,
swirls, and raised grains as you would find in solid. Underneath are three or
more layers and, here, Mother Nature gets a little help. Genuine wood is
combined with a bit of resin to form layers placed in a crosswise
position.
This gives
the floor stability, better resistance to warping, and more versatility in
installation since it can be placed in some higher-than-moisture places where
solid cannot go. It can be refinished, adds the same value to your property as
any other hardwood, and can last for decades.
There is an assortment of
species, and it is usually factory finished. Planks are wider and shorter,
although some manufacturers include more size variations. Because the floor is
stable, there is no shrinkage and contraction to adjust to the weather, so
acclimation is not needed. Both solid and engineered care is the same,
including frequent sweeping with a soft broom and periodic deeper cleaning with
a well-wrung mop and manufacturer-approved cleaner.