Engineered Hardwood
Details
Engineered hardwood flooring provides the look of solid hardwood with added durability and stability. Unlike solid wood, which is a single piece of hardwood, engineered flooring is a man-made product composed of several layers.
The top layer is a thin veneer of real hardwood, which gives the plank the genuine appearance and feel of solid wood. Beneath this veneer, a core of multiple layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) is bonded together. This layered, cross-grain construction makes the planks highly stable and less susceptible to the expansion and contraction caused by changes in temperature and humidity.
This stability is a major advantage, as it allows engineered hardwood to be installed in locations where solid hardwood is not recommended, such as in basements, over concrete subfloors, and with radiant heating systems. Engineered hardwood is also a more budget-friendly option than solid hardwood and is available in a wide variety of species, colors, and finishes. Installation can be done using a variety of methods, including glue-down, nail-down, or a DIY-friendly click-lock system.
While engineered wood can be refinished, the number of times this can be done depends on the thickness of the top veneer layer, and it is generally less than what is possible with solid hardwood.
Regular Maintenance
Engineered hardwood floors are easily maintained. No wax, no mess. Simply use a cleaner made for use with urethane coated hardwood floors and a terry cloth flooring mop.
- Sweep your floor to remove any particles that could scratch your floor.
- Apply hardwood surface cleaner directly to the terry cloth flooring mop, instead of the floor
- Use a back and forth motion with the mop. When the terry cloth cover becomes soiled, simply replace it with a clean one.
- Cleaning the floor with a soiled cover could cause streaking. The covers are re-usable, so wash and dry the covers periodically as you would a normal towel.
- Engineered wood is a natural product and can react to its environment
WARNING: Vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head can damage a wood floor and never should be used.
Additional Tips
Maintain a normal indoor relative humidity level (35 – 60 %) and a temperature of 60-80°F throughout the year to minimize the natural expansion and contraction of the wood.
Heating Season (Dry): A humidifier is recommended to prevent excess shrinkage due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions.
Non Heating Season (Wet): An air conditioner, dehumidifier, or periodically turning on your heating will help to maintain humidity levels during summer months.
- Sweep regularly
- Remove spills promptly using wood flooring cleaner and a clean white cloth.
- Use floor protectors under heavy pieces of furniture and chairs.
- Use protective mats at all exterior entrances and non-abrasive mats made for hardwood flooring for interior entrances
- Spiked heels or shoes can severely damage your floor.
- Never wet or damp mop your wood floors. Water can cause damage to wood flooring.
- Never use detergents, oil soaps, wax, abrasive cleaners, steel wool or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type products to clean your floor.
- Use curtains, blinds, or sheer drapes to limit the sun’s intense UV rays to prevent color fading
- Keep animal nails trimmed.
- Protect your floor with a 1/4″ piece of plywood or Masonite when using a dolly for moving furniture or appliances.
- Never slide or roll heavy objects across the floor.
- DO NOT use steam cleaners, spray cleaners, or any device that sprays liquids directly on the floor. Water can cause damage to wood flooring.