What's Engineered Hardwood Flooring? Plus the Pros, Cons, & Cost

What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?

Engineered wood flooring consists of a hardwood top layer glued to a base layer that often consists of plywood or OSB (oriented strand board). Because of this design, engineered wood looks virtually the same as traditional hardwood once installed.

bedroom with angled wooden ceiling — Adam Albright

Pros of Engineered Wood Flooring

Cost: When compared to traditional hardwood, engineered wood nearly always has a lower price point. However, this is only true when compared laterally. For instance, high-performance exotic engineered flooring might be more expensive than standard solid red-oak flooring. Additionally, many of the savings associated with engineered flooring are on the installation, as it’s quicker to install and often comes prefinished.

Warp-Resistance: Because of its construction, engineered flooring is resistant to warping and splitting due to moisture exposure and temperature variance.

Ease of Installation: On average, engineered flooring is much easier and quicker to install than traditional hardwood, making it a great DIY flooring solution. Many options even join with a locking click, requiring no special fasteners, which makes installation even faster.

Installation Flexibility: Engineered wood flooring performs in environments that solid wood flooring simply can’t. This includes installation on top of radiant floor heating, concrete slabs, basements, and humid environments. Many waterproof varieties are also available, making wood floors possible in places they’ve never been before, like bathrooms.

Cons of Engineered Wood Flooring

Refinishing Limitations: Unlike traditional hardwood, which can be refinished time and time again, engineered wood flooring is limited to minimal resurfacing. Even the best-engineered options with the thickest wear layers can only be refinished around three times, while inexpensive options are limited to one. Floors with a wear layer of less than 2mm should only be lightly buffed.

Prone to Fading: Engineered wood is prone to fading in the sun. While this is true of many hardwood varieties as well, it’s of greater concern for engineered floors due to refinishing limitations.

VOCs: Because engineered flooring is constructed with adhesives and chemicals, there is a risk of VOC off-gassing. This is when VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are released from the floor after installation. While this isn’t an issue with all engineered floors, cheaper varieties are more prone to off-gassing. Pay close attention to your manufacturer’s instructions and look for floors with low- or no-VOC labels.

Varieties of Engineered Wood Flooring

Like most building materials, not all engineered wood flooring is the same and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the differences to make an educated purchase. Beyond aesthetic differences in top-layer materials and finishes, the anatomy of one engineered wood plank can vastly differ from another. Things like core thickness (base layer), wear layer thickness (top), number of finish coats, and materials will all play a part in the quality and longevity of an engineered wood floor.

Below are the most popular engineered wood varieties in the market. Keep in mind that, while some of them will be available as planks, typically used for flooring, you can also find them as sheets, if you’re looking to update wall panels or have a unique floor design.

Laminated Veneer Lumber: Also known as LVL. It’s one of the strongest types, as it’s a high-density product made out of layers of resin, glue, and some wood materials. The downside is that LVL can only be laid out in one direction as it’s built with a specific stacked grain.

Laminated Strand Lumber: Also known as LSL. Stronger and with a higher quality than LVL, albeit almost three times pricier, this type of plank is mostly composed of wood fibers and strands, making it super resistant to constant wear and tear, especially for commercial spaces or busy households.

Plywood: The “OG,” if you will, of the engineered wood world. It’s on the economical side, thin, and flexible, making it ideal to lay it out in different directions (and even for special projects, like a plywood accent wall). It’s designed to be glued, so consider that when doing your floors (specifically if there are gaps or tight spaces in corners) as plywood tends to shrink and expand due to several factors, like humidity, extreme cold, or heat.

Composite Board: Made out of both wood and plastic fibers as well as wax and resin, this medium
density engineered wood is one of the less expensive in the market and can also be used in sustainable home designs or green architecture since most planks and sheets are recyclable or done with recycled materials.

chic contemporary living room teal chairs — David Patterson

Features of Engineered Wood Flooring

Below are standard features to be aware of when shopping for engineered floors as well as how the features affect the overall quality of the wood.

Wear Layer Thickness: The thicker the wear layer is, the more times the floor can be refinished.

Wear Layer Hardness: A harder wear layer results in a more durable floor.

Core Thickness: A thicker core will result in a more durable floor. While core construction varies from brand to brand, a good rule of thumb is to look for plywood construction with multiple layers. Generally speaking, the more layers the better.

Finish Coats: The number of finish coats is directly linked to the durability of the flooring, as more finish coats add a thicker layer of protection.

Tiers of Engineered Flooring

Below are the three standard tiers of engineered flooring boards followed by their price points and features you should expect.

Budget ($2 to $5 per sq. ft.): Engineered flooring in this class features a thin 1-2 mm wear layer, up to 5 finish coats, a 10- to 15-year warranty, and is limited to only certain finishes and wear layer varieties.

Average ($6 to $10 per sq. ft.): With slightly more options for finishes and wood species, average engineered flooring features a 2-3 mm wear layer, up to 7 finish coats, and a 15- to 25-year warranty.

Premium: ($11 to $18 per sq. ft.): With the largest selection of hardwoods, exotic options, and finishes, premium engineered flooring features a thicker 7-9 ply base, a minimum of 3 mm wear layer, 7-9 finish coats, and a 25-year to lifetime warranty.

Maintaining Engineered Wood Floors

Just like traditional hardwood, engineered floors must be regularly maintained and cleaned with special care. Water should be used sparingly, and harsh cleaners should be avoided, as they can damage and dull the finish. Spills should be immediately wiped up to avoid water damage. Furthermore, heat and steam cleaning should be avoided, as this can damage the flooring and weaken the bond of the adhesive. For best results, a gentle floor cleaner is recommended unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.