What is engineered hardwood flooring?
Engineered hardwood flooring is a product made up of a core of hardwood or plywood, and a top layer of hardwood veneer that is glued on the top surface of the core. The top veneer is available in almost any hardwood species. The product thus has the natural characteristics of the selected wood species as opposed to a photographic layer. The engineered product has been designed to provide greater stability, particularly where moisture or heat pose problems for solid hardwood floors.
What does greater stability mean?
The instability of solid hardwood is usually moisture or heat related. Under adverse conditions, solid hardwood floors can warp, cup, swell or split apart. Engineered hardwood flooring overcomes these problems by constructing a multiple-ply plank which counteracts twisting and remains flat and intact. This makes engineered hardwood flooring a better choice for installation over radiant heat sources, over concrete and in rainy climates.
Can I refinish an engineered floor?
It depends upon the thickness of your hardwood layer. Most hardwood surfaces in the US are never refinished. With the high quality finishes that are offered and the extensive process that refinishing a floor entails, damaged areas are often removed professionally. If sanding is desired, the professional sanding procedure typically removes 1/32 of an inch. Thus, if your floor has a 2mm layer you can sand the floor 1-2 times.
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