The Many Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Featuring a cross-ply construction that makes them stronger, engineered hardwood flooring is considered superior to solid hardwood in many ways. Strong, straight and more resistant to moisture, there are several good reasons why you might want to consider an engineered floor over the solid options.
Wood Layers Provide Strength
When engineered floors are assembled, the grain of each layer is placed across the one below. Wood naturally expands along the grain, but layering the sections across each other minimizes expansion and creates a stable floor.
Moisture Resistant Flooring
The cross-ply construction of engineered floors makes them highly resistant to moisture levels. Their natural resistance to moisture makes them an ideal choice for basements, kitchen, bathrooms and other areas where dampness may be an issue. Because they are more resistant to moisture, you can also use them on slabs and in basements.
Extend the Life of Your Floors by Refinishing
The greatest appeal of hardwood floors is that you can make them last longer by refinishing them. However, you can only refinish them a handful of times before the nail heads start to show through the seams. Engineered boards are topped with a thick wear layer of solid wood. This layer can also be refinished a few times, allowing you to extend the life of the floor.
Equal Value Between Wood and Engineered Wood Flooring
When it comes to the resale value of your home, hardwood and engineered wood are considered equal in value. They are 
both easy to care for, and either one can be refinished to restore their beauty. If you are considering the home value, you can rest assured that engineered floors will cause yours to rise.
Installation of Flooring
Solid wood floors must be nailed into the subfloor. Using a special pneumatic nailer or setting the nails by hand, you have to nail every board to keep the lines straight and secure.
While hardwood floors can be difficult to install, but you can choose engineered floors that float in place. Secured with adhesive strips, they don’t require special tools to install and they can go over concrete.
Exotic Wood Species are Affordable
Brazilian cherry, teak wood and even tigerwood are available in engineered flooring. Prohibitively expensive in solid floors, you will find that your favorite exotic woods are now far more affordable thanks to engineered options.
Engineered Floors Better for the Environment
Hardwood flooring requires a lot of solid wood, and that can mean cutting into some old-growth forests. The use of multiple thin strips is a more efficient use of resources, so it’s better for the environment. You can enjoy the same beautiful look without having to cut down as many mature trees.
There are several benefits to choosing engineered flooring over solid wood floors. Durable and valuable, they will improve your home while helping you save money. Choose the exotic species you love, and enjoy the easy installation methods that are available with engineered flooring. Designed to provide you with years of service, they are also the best choice for bathrooms, basements, kitchens and any room with a concrete subfloor.
DirectBuy professionals help you pick out the perfect type of hardwood flooring for your home. Get hardwood, carpet, tile and other home improvement products at confidential dealer pricing when you shop at DirectBuy.
Tags: DirectBuy, Engineered Hardwood Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, Wood Floors