The Ultimate Engineered Wood Flooring Buying Guide For Homeowners (2024)

When it comes to home improvements, no other remodeling project makes as much of an impact as getting new flooring. With so many flooring material options, engineered wood flooring comes in on top as one of the most affordable and popular options in the market.

Engineered flooring incorporates the natural material it imitates, but in an engineered fashion. It features a real veneer of wood protected with a clear coat and an engineered core. While engineered wood flooring is a more affordable flooring solution, you still want to take the time to review everything you can about this type of flooring before investing.

How Do I Know I Need New Flooring?

Whether you have hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, or tiles, wear and tear will eventually be too noticeable to ignore. Most wood flooring will last about 100 years with proper upkeep. Vinyl flooring can last about 50 years, while carpet lasts for roughly eight to 10 years.

However, if you bought an old house with flooring that shows signs of wear, or you’re ready to change the type of flooring, these are all valid reasons to get new flooring. Here are some common reasons why you should consider new flooring:

• You’ve already refinished them— a lot
• There are visible scratches and marks that won’t go away
• There’s water damage
• Nailheads are peeking through
• Wood discoloration that can’t be easily fixed
• Noticeable wear and tear
• There are creaking or moving floorboards

Types of Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood floors have many classifications. It can be classified based on the installation method, surface finish, texture, pressure applied in production and even the wood species. The most basic and important classification to consider is the method of installation, since this will then narrow down your option pool further.

Adhesive Installation Method

This method involves adhesive to be applied on joints to maximize the grip. Whether pre-glued or glued during installation, the adhesive installation method glues the planks onto the subfloor. The adhesive method is often used to install engineered wood floors to concrete subfloors.

Nail-Down Installation Method

Although a nail-down installation isn’t as popular as other methods, it can help attach the engineered wood floor to wood subfloors, making the installation process faster. In this case, the engineered wood planks are nailed through to connect to the subfloor.

Click-Lock Installation Method

Modern engineered wood flooring options use the click-lock installation method. This creates a floating floor by clicking the tongue-and-groove planks together. The click-lock method is also the most cost-effective option because no nails or glue are required.

The flooring rests over a subfloor, held down by its weight. Another benefit of this installation method is that you can easily pull up the flooring if a section needs repairs or replacement. Plus, many click-lock engineered wood floor planks can be easily installed by enthusiastic DIYers.

Popular Engineered Wood Flooring Styles

As homeowners look for more affordable, versatile and resilient options to hardwood flooring, engineered wood flooring continues to thrive in home improvement flooring trends.

However, engineered wood floors come in a wide array of styles and finishes that vary on the type of wood species, color, texture and finishing. Let’s explore the most popular engineered wood flooring styles for each category.

Species Trends

• White oak engineered wood floors
• European white oak engineered wood floors
• Blonde engineered wood floors
• Whitewashed engineered wood floors
• Honey and colored-copper engineered wood floors
• Gray wood engineered wood floors
• Greige engineered wood floors

Texture Trends

• Handscraped engineered wood floors
• Wirebrushed engineered wood floors
• Distressed engineered wood floors

Finishing Trends

• Smoked finished engineered wood floors
• Satin-finished engineered wood floors
• Matte-finished engineered wood floors
• Oiled engineered wood floors

Pattern Trends

• Herringbone engineered wood floors
• Wide plank engineered wood floors

Engineered Wood Flooring Shopping Tips

If you are on the market for engineered wood floors, there are some tips to consider when it comes to shopping. Since not all engineered wood flooring planks are made the same, keep these tips in mind when shopping from the various manufacturers.

Get Samples of Different Styles

Engineered wood floors are mass-produced. Even if you order flooring from the same manufacturer, mass production methods can result in planks with varying widths, lengths and thicknesses, which can make installation more complicated. Samples can help you narrow down your selection because you can compare options and see how different thicknesses, colors and finishes will potentially look in your home.

Verify Width and Lengths on Any Quotes

The average engineered wood floor plank is three inches wide and about three feet long. Still, some manufacturers can offer planks between six inches’ to 10 inches wide. As you are shopping for engineered wood flooring, double-check and verify the width and lengths for your planks on every quote you receive. Don’t rely on word-of-mouth specification details because receiving the wrong width can mean you have to buy more planks to complete the job.

Ask for the Manufacturing Method

Besides the many benefits of engineered wood floors, one of the reasons to choose this flooring type is its appearance. The veneer layer of each engineered wood flooring plank gives it its final look and there are two ways to create this: With a dry saw cut using a saw blade or a rotary peel using a knife blade.

They both produce different characteristics in terms of aesthetics. The dry saw will create the same visual as a solid wood floor. On the contrary, the sliced and rotary peel material has a thinner veneer that won’t last as long as the other. Again, this is why requesting samples is so important in the buying process.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing Engineered Wood Flooring

Consider the following before making any final purchase:

• Always look for a thicker veneer to ensure your floors last longer. If the veneer layer is too thin, you won’t be able to refinish or sand your floors, requiring replacement once they are worn out.
• Look for engineered wood flooring with a high-quality plywood center. Engineered wood floors can tolerate humidity and temperature fluctuations better than solid wood flooring types. For the best type of engineered wood floor, look for those constructed with a plywood core that has more flexibility.
• The more layers of finish, the more durable your engineered wood floor will be. Besides having a plywood core, you want an engineered wood flooring that has between three and nine layers. The more layers, the more enduring the product is.
• Look for options with additional features. Not all engineered wood floors share the same characteristics. Pick one that adapts to your lifestyle and needs. For example, homes with pets and children might prefer waterproof and scratch-resistant planks. Other features include dent-resistant, stainable and pre-finished.

Benefits of Engineered Wood Flooring

It is no secret that engineered wood flooring is gaining more and more popularity as the years go on and offers several benefits that are worth considering when updating your flooring. From easy installation, durability and moisture-resistant capabilities, engineered wood flooring is an excellent option for homeowners looking to replace their old, scratched-up hardwood.

Easy to Install

One great advantage of engineered wood flooring is its easy installation. Perfect for those who would like to attempt DIY installation, the planks of engineered wood flooring that are designed to fit together seamlessly, thanks to their click-and-lock system, require no nails or glue. Therefore, engineered wood is your best bet if you want to get your new floor installed quickly and easily.

Durability

Known for its exceptional durability, engineered wood flooring is a long-lasting option that can handle high traffic for years to come. Constructed by bonding several layers of solid wood together and using high heat and pressure, engineered wood flooring has proven to be a solid, sturdy flooring that can withstand everyday wear and tear. Also, unlike traditional hardwood floors, engineered wood flooring is much less susceptible to warping, cracking and other forms of damage, thanks to its unique construction.

Resistant to Moisture and Temperature

If you’re looking for a durable, versatile and affordable hardwood flooring option, look no further than engineered wood flooring. Constructed of layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard that are bonded together using adhesives, engineered hardwood flooring is created to be a solid, sturdy surface. This means that the surface is much more stable than traditional solid wood floors and will not expand or contract as easily with changes in temperature or humidity.