As a Massachusetts homeowner, you often face the task of selecting the best hard surface flooring. There are several options; however, one type of flooring stands above all. Engineered hardwood has been an outstanding choice for surface flooring over the years. 

Unlike conventional solid wood flooring, engineered hardwood is designed with multiple layers of thin wood planks over a supplementary core material. This composition bolsters the durability and stability of the flooring. Let us find out why you should use engineered hardwood flooring over traditional solid wood in your Massachusetts home.

The Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

There are numerous reasons why engineered hardwood is the #1 selection for homeowners and designers.

  • Increased Durability: You can bank on engineered hardwood flooring to last a long time. This type of flooring usually lasts for 20 to 40 years. With its composition, engineered hardwood offers excellent strength and durability. These traits make it resistant to cupping, shrinking, and warping.
  • Resistance to Moisture: Compared to solid wood, engineered hardwood is more moisture resistant. It is composed of a plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) core. Therefore, you can install engineered hardwood in places prone to variations in humidity and moisture, like Central Massachusetts.
  • Easy to Install: Engineered hardwood comes with a high level of convenience. You can install it by gluing or nailing it down, depending on what you want. 
  • Multiple Choices of Style: There are several styles, finishes, and wood species (oak, maple, hickory, etc.) of engineered hardwood. You can select out of these diverse collections to get your desired visual. If you prefer a classic look or a more modern aesthetic, there are engineered hardwood options to match your taste.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Unlike solid wood, which consumes massive proportions of hardwood trees, engineered hardwood is made of smaller amounts of high-grade wood for its top veneer. Its core layers comprise rapidly growing sustainable resources. Therefore, engineered hardwood is a good choice for environmentally conscious individuals or companies.

Engineered Hardwood vs Solid Wood

In terms of cost, engineered hardwood has proven to be a more budget-friendly option than solid wood. Engineered hardwood goes for $3 to $23 per square foot. On the other hand, solid hardwood costs $5 to $28 per square foot. It is more cost-effective while providing you with its natural beauty and durability. 

Another advantage of engineered hardwood over solid wood is that it supports underfloor heating. Engineered hardwood distributes heat from underfloor heating systems thanks to its dimensional stability. If you are looking for a suitable option for heated floors, consider engineered hardwood.

Besides offering many installation techniques, engineered hardwood is easier to maintain than solid wood. To keep the flooring in its top aesthetic condition, sweep or vacuum it regularly. You can also choose to mop it with a manufacturer-recommended cleaner occasionally. Despite being composed of a top veneer thinner than solid wood, engineered hardwood can be refinished several times. Therefore, you can restore its looks and extend its life several times.

Engineered hardwood offers a more stable appearance in comparison with solid wood. It is produced with planks with consistent dimensions. The planks are usually 3/8 to 9/16 thick. They also have a width of 2 1/4 to 7 inches and a length of 12 to 60 inches. This strategy eliminates natural inconsistencies and knots commonly found in solid wood. 

Install Hardwood Floors with Central Mass Hardwood Inc. 

It is natural to want the best hard surface flooring for your home. You can count on Central Mass Hardwood Inc. to install the most suitable engineered hardwood in your house. At Central Mass Hardwood Inc. we recommend and install premium engineered hardwoods for our clients at an affordable rate. Contact us today for a free estimate.