Engineered Hardwood Flooring FAQ - Carlisle Wide Plank Floors (2024)

You have questions, we have answers. Explore the most frequently asked questions about Engineered wood flooring below. Need assistance or want to know more? Contact Carlisle or call 800-595-9663 today to get all your inquiries answered.

Do Engineered Wood Floors Scratch Easily?

Because engineered wood floors are made with a veneer of hardwood, they are no more or less susceptible to scratches than a solid hardwood floor. Engineered floors with a veneer of harder woods like Hickory or Maple will scratch less easily than engineered floors made of softer woods like Cherry or Walnut. The type of finish used to seal the floor plays a role in providing protection from scratches as well.

What are engineered hardwood floors?

Engineered hardwood floors are made from floorboards that have a veneer of hardwood glued to multiple layers of a backing material like plywood or Baltic Birch. This multilayer construction forms a very stable core that is less likely to expand or contract when the floor is exposed to large changes in relative humidity. Consequently, engineered wood floors are often installed in basem*nts and other locations below grade, over radiant heating systems and concrete slabs, or in more humid environments. However, engineered floors should not be used in areas where the environment drops below 30% relative humidity.

What’s the difference between solid and engineered hardwood floor?

The boards in a solid hardwood floor are made from planks cut from a hardwood tree, while an engineered plank features a top “wear” layer of hardwood that’s adhered to multiple layers of another material. While the construction is quite different, engineered floors from superior manufacturers will look and feel almost identical to a solid wood floor. The key is in how the manufacturer slices the wear layer. With lower quality products, the veneer is typically “peeled” from a log like a roll of paper towels These engineered floors will look much different than solid hardwood, given the change in the orientation of the grain pattern.

What are wide plank engineered wood floors?

Wide plank engineered wood floors are made with floorboards that are anywhere from 4” to 10” wide and up to 12’ long. Much wider and longer than standard commercial flooring, a wide plank floor has far fewer seams and offers a less busy appearance. Wider planks also allow the personality of the wood to be appreciated more fully, creating a stunning surface that can be a major design element within a home.

Can engineered wood floors be installed anywhere?

Engineered flooring performs best when the relative humidity ranges between 30% and 55%. In drier climates or in locations where relative humidity may drop significantly, the top hardwood layer of an engineered floor will tend to crack. In these environments, it is best to use a solid wood floor.

How durable are engineered wood floors?

Engineered hardwood flooring can be expected to last decades or even a lifetime. Depending on the thickness of the hardwood in the top layer, some engineered floors may be refinished up to three times, just like a solid hardwood floor. In spaces that experience higher changes in relative humidity, engineered floors will be more stable than solid hardwood flooring as long as the relative humidity remains about 30%.

How are engineered floors maintained?

An engineered wood flooring can be cleaned and maintained in the same way you would care for a solid wood floor. Sweeping and vacuuming the floor can remove dust, dirt and debris that can cause scratches. Stubborn dirt and contaminants can be removed by mopping with a light application of vinegar and water (1 or 2 ounces of vinegar to 2 gallons of water).

Which is better: engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl plank?

While both types of floors are highly durable, engineered wood floors can be expected to last 25 to 50 years or more, while luxury vinyl planks may need to be replaced after 20 to 30 years. Luxury vinyl planks are more resistant to water, making them ideal in rooms like bathrooms or mud rooms. Luxury vinyl is roughly 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of engineered flooring, though both flooring options are less expensive than solid hardwood. Visually the floors are very different. Luxury vinyl is made with photographs of wood glued to an underlying core. These photos can be seen repeating across the floor, creating a less natural appearance than the organic variation found in a natural product. Ultimately, the decision about whether engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl planks are better in a given room comes down to the homeowner’s preferences and priorities.

What is Carlisle wide plank engineered flooring?

Carlisle has been a leader in flooring tradition and fashion for more than half a century. Our engineered floors are virtually indistinguishable from solid wood flooring in appearance and feel. Because we use 11 layers of hardwood as the backing material rather than pressboard or fiberboard, our engineered floors are more stable and resilient as well. Additionally, we produce engineered hardwood flooring with a thicker top layer, ensuring that our engineered surfaces last as long as our solid wood floors.