Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is a board with a top layer of real wood bonded to a core of plywood or other wood layers. The surface looks like solid hardwood, while the layered core makes the board more stable when humidity changes. That stability is why it can go in places where solid hardwood is not recommended.

Yes. The surface you see and walk on is a real wood veneer, often oak, and the core underneath is also made of wood layers. It is different from vinyl products that only print a wood image. That real surface is why engineered hardwood looks and feels like a traditional hardwood floor once it is installed.

Many engineered products can be installed over concrete, either glued down or floating over an underlayment, depending on what the manufacturer allows. The slab has to be flat and dry enough, so we check it before installation. This is one of the main reasons homeowners choose engineered hardwood instead of solid wood.

Some engineered products are approved for below-grade rooms, as long as the basement stays dry and the slab passes a moisture check. If a basement has moisture problems or occasional water, luxury vinyl plank is usually the safer choice. We look at the space during the estimate and tell you honestly which floor fits it.

It depends on the thickness of the wear layer. Products with a thicker wear layer can be sanded and refinished, sometimes more than once, while thin wear layers allow little or no sanding. When we help you choose a product, we point out the wear layer, so you know what to expect years from now.

Neither is better in every case. Solid hardwood can be refinished many times and suits rooms with a wood subfloor and normal conditions. Engineered hardwood handles humidity changes and concrete slabs better, and wide planks stay flatter. The right choice depends on the room, the subfloor, and how you use the space.

The method depends on the product and the subfloor. Over a wood subfloor, many engineered floors are nailed or stapled like solid hardwood. Over concrete, glue-down or floating installations are common. We follow the method the manufacturer allows for your product and explain it in the estimate before any work starts.

It depends on the square footage, the subfloor preparation, the installation method, and any existing floor that has to come out first. Engineered floors usually arrive prefinished, so there is no sanding or finish drying in the house. We give you a realistic schedule in the estimate and plan the rooms with you.

Yes. Engineered products vary widely in wear layer, core, width, and finish, and the differences are not obvious in a showroom. During the estimate we look at your rooms and subfloor, explain what matters for your space, and help you compare options, so the floor you buy suits the place where it goes.

The total depends on the product you choose, including wear layer, species, width, and finish, and on the square footage, the subfloor, the installation method, and any existing floor to remove. We do not quote over the phone. We measure and check the subfloor at a free in-home estimate and send a written price.