Engineered Hardwood: The Right Choice? 

When it comes time to select flooring for the home, many San Jose homeowners choose hardwood floors. But, there are many decisions to make from there, between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood, longstrips or floating floors. Engineered hardwood is made up of several layers of the same wood or different kinds of wood, glued together to look much like solid hardwood. And, it may be an excellent choice, depending on the homeowner’s location, style, and wood preferences.

Placement

One of the first things homeowners need to determine is the location of the wood flooring. Solid hardwood cannot be placed in just any room of the house. So, if buyers wish to install hardwood flooring in the upstairs or basement, they face limitations. Solid hardwood can expand and contract with changes in humidity. Over time, this may lead to cupping or gapping of the wood planks. Engineered hardwood is much less susceptible to humidity, which makes it a better choice for certain parts of the home.

Maintenance

Engineered hardwood flooring requires maintenance similar to solid hardwood. Homeowners must take care to clean up spills as soon as possible. Too much wax may lead to a wax buildup, so buffing the floors is considered best. Engineered hardwood may scratch, as well. In time, many homeowners decide that they want to sand and refinish their hardwood floors San Jose. But, engineered hardwood presents some difficulty on this front. If the top layers of wood are particularly thick, the wood may be sanded a few times. In some types of engineered hardwood, sanding is not an option.

Sustainability

People like to choose the hardwood that expresses their personality and taste in their home. But, some of the more beautiful types of wood are very expensive and have a history of irresponsible harvesting. Engineered hardwood may present an alternative that allows homeowners the wood type they prefer, without contributing to deforestation. Since engineered hardwood may comprise different types of wood, the thicker layers could be made of readily accessible wood choices, such as oak, while the top layer might be something more exotic, such as Brazilian cherry.

Hardwood floors make a wonderful contribution to the beauty of any San Jose home. Engineered hardwood saves money, and offers homeowners more choices in installation and style. With the right choice and professional installation, engineered hardwood flooring will stand the test of time.