Engineered wood flooring is a beginner-friendly, budget option compared to hardwood. Here's the right pick for every project.
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When it comes to beautiful, gleaming wood floors, springing for expensive planks isn’t the only option. Instead, engineered wood flooring may actually be a better pick depending on your budget and skill level. According to Holly Lightfoot, flooring expert and Director of Merchandising at LL Flooring, engineered hardwood has many benefits over traditional wood flooring.
“Engineered hardwood is more economically friendly, incredibly stable and can be more approachable for DIY installation—while still presenting real, beautiful hardwood looks,” she notes. “Engineered hardwood flooring combines a top layer of solid wood (often referred to as a veneer) with a high-quality core made from plywood, lumber core, medium-density fiberboard or a stone-plastic composite.”
Newport hardwood planks boast a variety of lengths, but the width of the plank—each one is 7.5 inches—brings a cohesive, modern and fresh feel to any room. A thick three-millimeter wood veneer surface offers protection from scratches, dust and debris. A uniform look and seven stunning color options make this pre-finished wood flooring choice a shoo-in for the overall best engineered wood flooring.
Those seeking a golden honey tone, plus a smooth and medium gloss finish are in luck—this easy-to-install South American Legends teak flooring is incredibly simple to install thanks to easy click-lock installation. Just like laminate, this wood floor only requires a few simple tools to get started. A variation in tone makes for a lovely contrast throughout any room, and the varying length makes it easy to cover any square footage.
“I love this flooring,” writes reviewer Jane. “Now I want to do the rest of my house! The guys who put it down raved about the ease and beauty of the floor. It looks amazing.”
At under $4 per square foot, this European Traditions oak flooring rings up as a total bargain. But don’t let that fool you—these oak wood planks feature a fancy French bleed edge that looks lovely with modern farmhouse decor. UV-protective finish and a choice between brown or red planks put this pick near the top of our list. A worn-in feel disguises nicks and scratches, so this easy-to-install flooring holds up well against kids and pets.
Pros
Inexpensive
Simple tongue-and-groove installation
French bleed edges
UV-protective finish
Cons
Float installation may make floors susceptible to moisture and humidity
Between a handsome wire-brush finish and a durable four-millimeter wood veneer, these Laguna hardwood plank floors are both exquisite and durable. The thicker wood veneer surface protects the underside from water, pet hair and other normal wear-and-tear. Better yet, the planks look incredibly modern thanks to a wide 9.5-inch width that covers more space per square footage.
Having pets doesn’t mean forgoing the beautiful, shiny hardwood floors. Mohawk’s Wimbley birch flooring comes in three scratch-resistant shades: tobacco, burlap and java. Apart from the slip and water-resistant finish, humidity is no match for the cross-ply construction. That means reduced expansion and contraction of boards, which causes creaky floors.
“I love how there are three different sized slats and that the floor looks weathered, it looks so real I had to touch it to see if the floor was rough,” writes reviewer Babshoun. “One of the photos is after my husband used a drill bit and pushed hard to get a scratch. You can barely see it. This floor will be perfect for my dogs, I won’t have to worry about them scratching it up. The color is so pretty, my photos do not do it justice.”
Pros
Resists spills, scratches and slips
Easy tongue-and-groove system works with staples, nails, glue or floating installation
Each box comes with a range of length from 15 to 84 inches
This Calatan hickory flooring comes in random widths and lengths, giving rooms a rustic vibe. Available in four different finishes, the flooring is compatible with both wood and concrete subfloors. It’s a solid choice for basem*nts—but fix any concrete pitting first. The warm color pallet combined with a hand-scraped surface simulates expensive hardwood at a fraction of the price. Plus, installation is incredibly simple using staples, glue or floating techniques.
Pros
Hand-scraped for a realistic wood finish
Random widths and lengths give a rustic, natural look
Protective coating shields against scuffs and spills
Simple tongue-and-groove installation makes this Scottsmoor oak flooring planks a good choice for DIYers new to engineered wood flooring. A flat-sawn, matte veneer offers a cohesive look for kitchens, dining rooms or living areas. At three inches thick, these boards are durable enough to stand up to heavy footfall, and the scratch-resistant finish fights scuffs and spills.
“It wears really well and it’s very difficult to scratch it,” says verified reviewer Johnathan. “I have a dog and a cat and I’ve never seen a scratch on it. I’ve had it in for about a year now. It was pretty easy to install and I get compliments all the time and people can’t believe that it’s engineered flooring.”
Dent-resistant, water-resistant, wear-resistant Anchor oak flooring looks lovely in the kitchen or bathroom, and it’s frequently on sale! A front and back-facing veneer means never having to worry about ugly exposed gaps when the boards expand or contract with the seasons. In addition, a WearMax DWR finish makes this set of boards slip, dent, water and scratch-resistant.
When it comes to the kitchen, durability is top of the mind. This Albero Valley maple wood flooring boasts an 11-step aluminum oxide finish. It resists scratches and dings from dropped silverware, and the hand-rubbed protective stain keeps food from seeping into the 0.5-inch thick veneer. Plus, purposeful distressing done by hand disguises any nicks and marks from everyday use. Here’s what to know about wood stains for maple and how to apply them.
“STUNNING flooring,” writes reviewer Kimberli. “Good quality and durable. It looks clean and even in the kitchen it has stayed nice.”
Claiming to be 100% waterproof (and with the reviews to back it up), this waterproof hardwood flooring from Islander uses HDPC core technology that seals out moisture, so it’s safe for use in damp places like bathrooms. In the center, an attached foam pad reduces sound transmission and increases comfort while walking in socks. Because it’s scratch, slip stain and fire-resistant, it’s safe to use in high-traffic areas around the home.
Pros
Waterproof aluminum oxide and urethane coating
Easy click-lock installation
Center padding for comfort
Scratch, slip stain and fire-resistant
Lifetime residential warranty
Eight different wood finishes
Cons
Can’t refinish
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What to Consider When Buying Engineered Wood Flooring
Lightfoot mentions that while engineered hardwood’s performance core design is similar across brands, the styles can differ across a huge variety of hardwood species. Shoppers can find all sorts of wood options, including maple, white oak, red oak, hickory and acacia.“A great benefit of engineered hardwood is it allows for extra-wide and extra-long planks, which are on-trend and make a space feel more expansive and can help to connect styles across rooms,” she says.
“While solid hardwood can deliver five-inch-wide planks, engineered hardwood can extend to nearly 12 inches wide. Depending on the style of floor, wider planks are often associated with more of a modern, trend-forward aesthetic, but also provide a more rustic, farmhouse look if the planks have a distressed design. Thinner planks are commonly associated with more of a classic, historic style.”
Material: According to Lightfoot, engineered hardwood is constructed with a veneer of real hardwood, which is tightly adhered to a dense, high-performance core. The top veneer can be almost any wood, though it’s typically hardwood.
Width: Lightfoot notes that “the choice of wider versus thinner flooring planks is purely one of style preference; there are no functional advantages or disadvantages to either.” While wider planks offer a more traditional appearance, thinner wood floorboards look a little more modern. However, they may cost more per square footage.
Thickness: The thickness of the veneer determines the look, sturdiness and comfort of an engineered wood floor. Thicker veneers also make refinishing older floors possible.
Moisture resistance: When it comes to moisture resistance, engineered hardwood is more stable in humid environments than traditional hardwood. “Because of its dense core, engineered hardwood planks are less prone to warping in climates with more moisture,” says Lightfoot. That said, these types of floors only offer water resistance—they’re not fully waterproof. “Homeowners looking for a truly waterproof solution should consider wood-look vinyl or laminate flooring.”
How to Install Engineered Wood Flooring
“Installation is one of the big differentiators between engineered and solid hardwood. Because of the dense engineered core, engineered hardwood provides more flexibility for subfloor and installation options,” notes Lightfoot. This makes it easier to install this engineered hardwood in environments you may not normally consider, like basem*nts and kitchens.
“Engineered hardwood can be nailed down, glued down or floated above your subfloor. Select styles have click-lock edges that allow for relatively simple floating installation, making it a more DIY-friendly option for those who are less inclined to take on the challenges of a nail-down or glue-down project.”
Why You Should Trust Us
I spent more than five years as a residential and commercial carpenter in NYC–specializing in custom furniture construction and installation. With hands-on experience and expert insight, I craft product reviews, buying guides and how-to articles in the home improvement, DIY and appliance space.
Emily Way is an associate shopping editor for Family Handymanwith experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece. Way consulted Holly Lightfoot, Director of Merchandising at LL Flooring. Lightfoot is an experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the home furnishings industry.
How We Found the Best Engineered Wood Flooring
We consulted shopping experts and combed through a number of engineered wood floors available online through retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, L.L. Flooring and Wayfair to find the very best engineered wood flooring options for every purpose. Once we had a selection of 20 floors, we narrowed down the list to the 10 with the best reviews. We opted to feature floors that are sturdy, inexpensive and simple to install.
FAQ
What are the benefits of choosing engineered wood flooring over hardwood?
For those wondering about the benefits ofengineered wood flooring vs. solid wood flooring, engineered wood flooring is typically cheaper than solid hardwood. In some ways, you can treat them similarly. For example, when engineered wood boasts a thicker veneer, finishing the surface works just like regular hardwood. Installation of engineered wood floors is also relatively straightforward. Unlike solid hardwood, which must be nailed to a subfloor, it uses interlocking planks that are much more DIY-friendly.
Engineered wood is also beneficial when it comes to cooler climates. “Because of their engineered cores, engineered floors are more resistant to seasonal and environmental changes than solid hardwood, and they allow for planks with larger widths, making it possible to achieve unique looks with fewer breaks in your floor’s appearance,” says Lightfoot.
What is the best way to clean engineered wood flooring?
Lightfoot notes that—like solid hardwood—engineered hardwood should be lightly cleaned on a weekly basis and deep-cleaned monthly. “Every week or two, clean using a dry mop or hardwood-friendly vacuum cleaner—with vacuums, make sure your beater bar is disengaged and free of hard bristles that can cause scuffs or scratches,” she says.
“Every month, use a damp mop to get the finer dirt and dust particles but don’t leave any standing water that can seep into the planks and damage the wood. A great tool to use is LL Flooring’s Bellawood Floor Care Maintenance Kit, which can be used for hardwood, laminate and vinyl.”
How much does engineered wood flooring cost?
Cost is a major factor when determining the best engineered wood flooring. “Like solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring is a premium type of flooring, so the cost will vary depending on the style,” says Lightfoot.
That said, there are tons of options that cover almost every style, installation method and budget.
Originally Published: April 01, 2022
Alex Rennie
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the home improvement, DIY, and appliance space. Having spent more than five years as a residential and commercial carpenter in NYC–specializing in custom furniture construction and installation–Alex uses his hands-on experience and expert insight to craft product reviews, buying guides, and how-to articles. He has previously written for CNN Underscored, Business Insider, and Popular Mechanics, in addition to Family Handyman. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, where he spends his free time hiking and relaxing on the beach with his wife and their two dogs, Louie and Iggy.
Introduction: My name is Aron Pacocha, I am a happy, tasty, innocent, proud, talented, courageous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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Alex RennieUpdated: Jan. 23, 2024
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