Flooring Services
Hardwood Flooring
The natural beauty and feel of hardwood with the additional use cases and lower price.
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Why We Like Engineered Hardwood Flooring
It has many of the advantages of hardwood flooring in terms of look, feel, finish, and wood species options, as the top layer is actual hardwood veneer. Thanks to its cross-grain core, it is more tolerant to changes in temperature and humidity and can therefore be installed in more situations than hardwood. It also offers a wide range of installation options, so it is generally more budget-friendly in both materials and installation costs. Although it can only be refinished 1-3 times before it needs to be replaced, well-maintained engineered timber can last over 30 years.
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Construction & Materials
Engineered hardwood is a multi-layered flooring product that features a real hardwood veneer bonded to a plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) core, which is arranged in a cross-grain structure for added stability. The core is designed to resist expansion and contraction that solid wood experiences with changes in temperature and humidity. The veneer wear layer usually ranges from 0.6 – 6mm thick and varies by product. The thicker veneer options can be sanded down and refinished, extending the life of the flooring. The same wood species as hardwood flooring is available, including oak, hickory, walnut and maple, each with their own wood grain and hardness.
Engineered Hardwood Floor Cost & Installation
Thanks to the engineered core, it can be installed using the click-lock (floating), glued-down, or nailed-down installation methods, giving greater flexibility depending on the subfloor. The cost to install engineered hardwood is usually lower than that of solid hardwood, as it contains less actual hardwood. The combined low cost of flooring materials, installation time, and labor makes floating engineered hardwood more economical than solid hardwood flooring.
Style & Design
As the top layer is made from real hardwood veneer, it provides an authentic woodgrain appearance, with the same range of stains, finishes and textures, including hand-scraped, wire-brush and smooth textures. They are available in a variety of plank sizes, including wide planks, which are popular in modern, open-concept layouts. Popular colors are light beige, greige and soft mid-tone browns. Popular designs that give a high-end, custom look are chevron and herringbone patterns or engineered wood parquet flooring. Unfinished engineered flooring gives you the option to choose your own stain or finish options.
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Durability & Performance
Because of the core, it is more dimensionally stable than hardwood, making it less susceptible to gapping, cupping, or warping in fluctuating humidity conditions. Depending on the veneer thickness, the veneer can be refinished 1-3 times on average over the planks’ useful life, which can be 20-30+ years with proper maintenance. A UV-cured urethane or aluminum oxide top coat protects the wood layer from everyday wear. It performs well in a wider range of climate conditions than hardwood, including moderate humidity and temperature swings.
Engineered Hardwood vs Natural Hardwood Comparison
Natural hardwood flooring is milled from a single, solid piece of wood, typically ¾” thick with tongue-and-groove edges. Engineered wood consists of a thin hardwood veneer bonded to a cross-layer plywood or high-density fiberboard core. The cross-layer core makes engineered flooring less prone to humidity and temperature swings, giving greater options as to where it can be installed. Solid hardwood should only be installed on or above grade, whereas engineered hardwood can be installed in basements, directly onto concrete subfloor or even over radiant floor heating. Both have the same look and feel and are available in the same finishes and wood species. Solid hardwood can be refinished 4-6 times over its useful life, whereas engineered hardwood can only be resurfaced 1-3 times. Hardwood is more expensive in terms of material and
Maintenance
Sweeping and vacuuming, with occasional damp-mopping, keep the flooring looking its best. Although waterproof engineered hardwood exists, water can still damage the veneer layer, so be sure to clean up any spills promptly and avoid excess moisture. Periodic recoating before the wear layer reaches the veneer layer will help extend the flooring’s life. Refinishing the surface will make it look new again, but it reduces the boards’ useful life, so it should only be done when necessary.
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Why We Like Hardwood Flooring
Beauty that becomes part of your home.
Nothing compares to the elegance and natural beauty of stunning hardwood floors. From traditional homes to modern interiors, hardwood provides a timeless foundation that works beautifully across a wide range of design styles.
01
Timeless Beauty
Natural wood grain, rich textures, and beautiful finishes create an elegant look that never goes out of style.
02
Natural Warmth
Hardwood adds a warm, comfortable, and organic feeling beneath your feet while creating a welcoming atmosphere.
03
Built to Last
Well-maintained hardwood floors can last for decades and, in many cases, over a century.
04
Refinishable
05
Versatile Design
06
Long-Term Investment
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