The product undergoes quality control checks before being assembled into individual flooring pieces. The final steps include sanding, applying finish, and grading the product before it is boxed and marked for sale. The entire process is highly specialized and involves various quality control measures. This method will ensure the production of high-quality engineered wood flooring.

Climate Resistant

Engineered wood flooring is less sensitive to changes in temperature and moisture than solid wood flooring due to its composite core layers. While some warping may still occur, it is typically less severe than that seen in solid wood floors. Moisture issues, such as standing pools of water, can cause warping in engineered wood floors, but the overall amount of swelling and shrinking is far less than that seen in solid wood floors.

Engineered wood floors are versatile and can be installed anywhere. This makes them ideal for basement installations or for other areas that may be susceptible to moisture issues. They can be installed using fasteners, glued down, or floated. To prevent warping, it is important to address moisture issues and properly acclimate the flooring before installation.

When to Use Engineered Wood Floors

The development of engineered wood flooring has been remarkable, originally intended for use on concrete slabs or in basements. However, over the past two decades, technological advancements have significantly expanded its suitability for almost any environment. Also including areas traditionally suited for plank floors.

When choosing engineered wood flooring, it is essential to consider its internal construction as well as its outward appearance. The availability of different thicknesses allows for its use in various applications without the need for awkward transitions between different flooring materials. This is particularly beneficial in areas such as kitchens or bathrooms with tile floors. There, the use of engineered wood flooring can eliminate the need for large transition strips and reduce the trimming of doors.

While engineered wood floors were initially designed for use over concrete slabs, thicker versions can now be nailed down over a wood subfloor. It’s very similar to the installation of a plank floor. This versatility and the potential for cost savings make quality engineered wood flooring a compelling choice for both new construction and renovations. This offers a practical and durable alternative to traditional solid wood flooring.

Sustainability of Engineered Wood Products

Engineered wood products (EWPs) are made from various wood substances that are either bonded by an adhesive or mechanically fastened by nail plates. The technology functions by redistributing and reinforcing natural defects and forming the products into structurally efficient shapes unachievable by sawing, thereby ‘doing more with less’ wood fiber.

While additional energy resources are required to process EWPs, they remain largely renewable, except for the adhesives and metal fasteners. They are thus sustainable compared with competing materials that involve considerable mining.

Reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood refers to old lumber that has been repurposed for use in new projects. It’s typically sourced from old buildings, barns, or homes and processed through various techniques for reuse. Companies follow a step-by-step approach to deconstruct and process wood elements to preserve the beams’ integrity and shape. It makes them usable for new construction projects.

The use of reclaimed wood in construction projects gained popularity due to the green building and remodeling movement. It is considered an eco-friendly material with a past life and a new purpose because it is recycled.

However, it is typically more expensive than fresh-cut lumber due to the labor and processing required to repurpose the older wood. Additionally, reclaimed wood is rare, which also adds to the price. It must be found and processed to make it usable again. 

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is eco-friendly due to the rapid growth of bamboo plants and their regenerative quality. It can grow from seed to full harvest-ready maturity in as little as 3 to 5 years. This is much faster than hardwood trees.

When bamboo is harvested, only the stalk is cut, while the roots remain planted in the soil, allowing for regrowth without replanting. Periodic harvesting of bamboo stalks is healthy for the environment. This allows sunlight to filter down to the earth and reach other plants.

Bamboo plants also have long roots that reach deep into the soil, serving to bind the earth around them and combat erosion. High-quality bamboo flooring can last up to 25 years and can be removed and reused in new flooring installations. Bamboo is recognized by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program as an ecologically-friendly building material.

As opposed, engineered flooring has gained popularity among homeowners for its durability, style, and ease of installation. It’s a versatile choice that can even be installed over concrete, thanks to its superior moisture resistance compared to solid hardwood.

Be sure to read our blog for more information on hardwood flooring!

Preparing the Concrete Subfloor

Proper preparation of the concrete subfloor is crucial for a successful installation. It’s always best to call a professional, as they will know how to do the procedure. Nonetheless, let’s go over the steps.

Ensure the concrete is clean, dry, and level. Use a moisture meter to check the concrete’s moisture content. If it exceeds 5%, a moisture barrier is necessary.

If a moisture barrier is needed, lay down a layer of polyethylene sheeting over the concrete, overlapping seams by at least 6 inches and securing them with duct tape.

Afterwards, add an underlayment. It provides a cushioning layer and reduces noise. Select one compatible with your engineered flooring.

Installing the Engineered Flooring

With the subfloor prepared, it’s time to start installing your engineered flooring. Start by laying out a row of planks along the longest wall in the room, leaving a 1/4-inch gap between the planks and the wall to allow for expansion.

Then, use a notched trowel to apply a thin layer of adhesive to the concrete subfloor. Press the first plank into place on top of the adhesive. Use spacers to ensure consistent spacing between planks.

Lay subsequent rows, working your way out from the longest wall. Stagger the end joints for added structural integrity.

After installing all planks, be patient; wait for the adhesive to dry completely, which may take up to 24 hours.

Finishing Touches

Once the adhesive has dried, carefully remove the spacers, and the gaps between planks should now be uniform.

To protect your new engineered flooring from stains and scratches, consider applying a suitable sealant. You can also consider natural oil finishes.

In conclusion, installing engineered flooring on a concrete subfloor is a manageable DIY project that can yield professional-looking results. However, it’s always better to call an expert.

As hardwood is made from an organic material (wood), it needs special care and maintenance. One of these precautions is acclimation,which is the process of adjusting the humidity levels of the wood to the environment it will be placed in.

Since hardwood undergoes dimensional change from humidity, if you don’t acclimate it, you’ll experience issues with your flooring later on. But how exactly do you acclimate hardwood? Let’s find out!

Remember you can check out our blog for more information.

What can happen if you don’t acclimate?

When the hardwood shipping arrives, you’ll probably be eager to install it as soon as possible. So, you might ask yourself, is acclimating such a big deal? It is.

Without acclimating, hardwood is prone to different undesirable effects, such as gapping or cupping. Gapping occurs when hardwood flooring’s moisture level is higher than the environment, shrinking the planks and resulting in gaps between their edges. You can read more about cupping or other hardwood affections in this article!

How do you acclimate hardwood?

Acclimating can seem like a simple process at first but you will need a couple of specialized tools to measure moisture. It is always best to contact an expert for hardwood flooring installation, and you can ask them to acclimate it too.

Firstly, it is necessary to measure the environment’s moisture level and compare it to the hardwood’s level. Then, if the subfloor is made out of wood, it is important to also measure its moisture level.

Then, you will need to place the cartons in the room where they’ll be installed to bring the hardwood’s humidity level to equilibrium. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, one should leave it spaced out or staggered for at least 3 days. There is no definite maximum time, you should leave it until the planks reach the desired moisture level.

With some geographic exceptions, you should keep wood flooring within a humidity range of 30 to 50 percent and a temperature range of 60 to 80 degrees. Of course, this isn’t exact, but it’s a good guideline to have in mind.

As you can see, while acclimating is not a particularly difficult process, it does require certain technical knowledge. Thus, you should always contact a professional. Acclimating is a key step for a successful hardwood flooring installation.

You have probably heard of terms like Engineered or Solid Hardwood and may not known their different characteristics. For this reason, in this new post on our blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about these two excellent options.

What they are made about?

To begin with, both types of flooring are made of real wood, they are not synthetic products that are visible to the eye.

The difference is that solid hardwood is 100% solid wood and Engineered Hardwood has a layer of solid wood on top and cross layers of plywood below.

Performance and durability

In this section, both options are highly reliable. Both kinds of flooring are generally made from high-quality materials and tested before being put on the market. We now have the most trustworthy items thanks to years and years of advancement in the industry.

Perhaps, if this is an area you are more inclined towards, we can recommend Engineered Hardwood, because, unlike Solid Hardwood, it does not need constant maintenance to prevent damage.

Colors y styles

Another benefit of technical development is that as the market grows, more styles may be produced and made available.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer them darker, lighter or in a particular wood. See for yourself the many options we have available!

Have you heard of Hardwood Refinishing?

Last but not least, the engineered hardwoods also have the possibility of undergoing treatments to be like new, even if several years have passed since their installation.

We are talking about Refinishing or sanded processes. While it will be a long time before you have to perform maintenance like this, know that we are the best at what we do and if you hire us, you will be more than satisfied.

This was the comparison that we brought you today. Don’t forget, you can ask us for a free quote to remodel your floors today. Your dream home is just a click away!

First of all, it’s important to differentiate engineered wood from solid hardwood. Engineered hardwood is constructed with multi-layers of wood; each layer is positioned in a different direction, while solid hardwood is a solid piece of wood with no layers.

This construction prevents the engineered hardwood from warping and bowing the way a solid hardwood floor might in moist areas. One of its advantages over solid hardwood is that the construction allows for installation on most grade levels of the home, including below ground with a protective moisture barrier installed. Plus, engineered hardwood offers easy care and maintenance, and you can expect it to have the same attractive, variable tones and knots as solid wood. It’s also prefinished, so you don’t have to sand, only install; avoiding dust and cutting off lead time.

The following are some aspects that you will definitely take into account when you consider installing engineered hardwood floors:

Style it as you wish

If we talk about needing a wide range of styling possibilities, engineered hardwood is one of the best options there are. It is a really versatile type of material, which is why you can look for many options to adapt it to your home’s style. Not only is engineered hardwood available in many different tree species, like oak, maple, and hickory, but there are also many finishes you can pick from, in matte, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. If your objective is to make it look more “realistic“, then you’ll want to look for planks with bevelled edges and knots. Also, there are many planks that come with other surface effects, such as hand scraped for a time-worn appearance, distressed for a slightly rustic appearance, or wire-brushed.

Lifespan

Engineered hardwood is most likely to last a lifetime. It depends on three factors: how well you maintain your floors, the thickness of the veneer that tops the flooring, and the quality of flooring used.

Maintaining wooden flooring is quite simple. Wiping your floor with a soft, damp mop every two weeks, avoiding soap or astringent cleaners, which leave residue or dull the finish, should be more than enough to keep it as good as new. Regarding the other two aspects, the harder the wood is, the less likely it will get scratched and dented, especially if it has been factory oiled or lacquered. Also, if needed, engineered hardwood, unlike laminate, can be sanded down and re-finished to look as good as new every couple of years. But keep in mind that because of the veneer layer, an engineered hardwood floor can only be sanded and refinished a few times—and sometimes only once—before the hardwood erodes to reveal the core layers. How many times you can resurface is dependent on the thickness of the veneer layer. A 1/6-inch layer, for example, will last much longer than a 1/16-inch layer.

Make it fit your budget

Engineered hardwood’s particularity is that it’s actually less expensive than solid wood, and it’s also more practical, since you can install this excellent flooring style in multiple rooms on different levels. Besides being cheaper, engineered wood comes in a wide range of prices and styles, which lets you pick your best option, taking into account your goal and budget.

In this video, you can see more differences between the two!

These are some of the things we consider most important about engineered hardwood floors if you’re considering renovating your home anytime soon. You will surely find an option that best fits your situation. Remember, you can always request a quote from us!And don’t forget that the more you explore, the better the result.