While you may debate about the merits and de-merits of engineered hardwood flooring, you can't doubt its sheer popularity these days.
In fact, in most places, it has replaced natural hardwood as the de-facto flooring of choice, and for good reason too.
Engineered hardwood essentially has several qualities that make it a much better alternative than natural wood.
The first and foremost of this is of course the price: an engineered hardwood floor will save you several thousand dollars over a natural one.
When you factor in reduced maintenance costs, these can amount to significant savings.
Secondly, engineered hardwood floor is much more resistant to moisture than its natural counterpart.
Chemicals and compounds added to the wood during the engineering process lend it this special quality.
If you live in a region that gets higher than average precipitation, this is a quality you really need to look out for.
In terms of construction, while natural hardwood is wholly composed from a single block of wood (hence the natural variation in color and texture across the surface), its engineered counterpart uses natural hardwood only for the topmost layer.
The layers below this are made up of waste/scrap wood pieces, or inferior quality wood.
These layers can number anywhere from 3 to 5 depending on the manufacturer.
While some may consider the layered construction of engineered floors as a disadvantage, it does lend the floor much greater durability.
Natural wood can warp and distort due to variations in temperature - a fate engineered floors seldom suffer from.
The core layers underneath the top layers are usually treated with chemicals and compounds to increase the durability of the flooring, giving it greater longevity than its natural counterpart.
In terms of visual appeal, you really won't be able to make out the difference between natural and engineered hardwood.
They both have the same visual characteristics, color variations, and texture.
The only advantage with engineered hardwood is that its much more durable and way cheaper than natural flooring.
In fact, in most places, it has replaced natural hardwood as the de-facto flooring of choice, and for good reason too.
Engineered hardwood essentially has several qualities that make it a much better alternative than natural wood.
The first and foremost of this is of course the price: an engineered hardwood floor will save you several thousand dollars over a natural one.
When you factor in reduced maintenance costs, these can amount to significant savings.
Secondly, engineered hardwood floor is much more resistant to moisture than its natural counterpart.
Chemicals and compounds added to the wood during the engineering process lend it this special quality.
If you live in a region that gets higher than average precipitation, this is a quality you really need to look out for.
In terms of construction, while natural hardwood is wholly composed from a single block of wood (hence the natural variation in color and texture across the surface), its engineered counterpart uses natural hardwood only for the topmost layer.
The layers below this are made up of waste/scrap wood pieces, or inferior quality wood.
These layers can number anywhere from 3 to 5 depending on the manufacturer.
While some may consider the layered construction of engineered floors as a disadvantage, it does lend the floor much greater durability.
Natural wood can warp and distort due to variations in temperature - a fate engineered floors seldom suffer from.
The core layers underneath the top layers are usually treated with chemicals and compounds to increase the durability of the flooring, giving it greater longevity than its natural counterpart.
In terms of visual appeal, you really won't be able to make out the difference between natural and engineered hardwood.
They both have the same visual characteristics, color variations, and texture.
The only advantage with engineered hardwood is that its much more durable and way cheaper than natural flooring.
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