Have you ever wondered how engineered hardwood flooring is made? How about how the installation process works? This type of flooring has become a really popular option among homeowners. It’s perfect if you want the hardwood look and feel without having to pay the huge price tag or worry about extensive water damage. More and more people have chosen this flooring, but do they know the science behind engineered hardwood flooring installation?
How it’s Made
Engineered hardwood flooring is made different than solid hardwood flooring because of the applications that it is intended for. Solid hardwood has a propensity to expand and buckle or warp if it gains moisture, which it is assured of doing if it's environment has high humidity or wicking water. Even a leak from a icemaker line or around a door can cause a solid wood floor to begin cupping.
Engineered wood floors are made to withstand a certain amount of moisture without exhibiting the ill-effects like a solid. How does is do this? In the photo below you can see the construction of our Somerset TrueSolid line of hardwood.
Engineered hardwood floors are made of layers, or ply, of wood. Each layer is turned at a 90 degree angle from the previous layer. The number of plys has a lot to do with the quality of that particular floor. As a general rule, more plys make a more stable floor.
Stability is why you are buying an engineered product to begin with. If you have a concrete subfloor, for instance, then you might have an issue with fluctuations in moisture levels in your slab. This is due to the difficulty in stopping the wicking of moisture up through the slab. And while there are treatments and adhesives that will help slow or stop moisture, expansion can still be a problem. The more stable that your engineered wood flooring is, the less likely it is that your floor will experience cupping or warping.
Engineered wood flooring is also a great choice if you have a preference for wide plank flooring. Wide planks are more susceptible to warping from moisture than narrow ones. Using engineered wood flooring mades wide planks more doable.
Thee overall thickness of your wood flooring is important, but even more important is the composition or species of the plys that are in the core. Many of the thicker 5/8" floor will only have 5 plys of wood, and these layers may be constructed from some foreign wood that is much softer than the hardwoods that Somerset uses to make their cores. The density of the core will play a huge role in determining the longevity of your floor.
How Long Does Engineered Flooring Last? That Will Depend On The Following:
The Stability of the Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Buy a floor with 8plys or more, and at least 7/16" thick.
The Environment
Keep the relative humidity in your home between 35 and 65% throughout the year.
Quality of The Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Focus on the components that are used in the construction of your floor. I would much rather have a Cabin grade 8 ply floor than a 5 ply first quality one.
Quality of the Engineered Hardwood Installation
Whether this is a diy project or you are paying a professional installation crew, follow all of the manufacturers guidelines for installation.
Maintenance and Cleaning of the Engineered Wood Flooring
This is often overlooked, but is extremely important. Frequent cleanings with a dry microfiber mop are the most important part of your maintenance routine. Wet mop as needed, but use only a no-rinse cleaner. Any cleaner that requires rinsing like dish soap is a no-no!
Also, be sure to place walk off mats at all doorways that lead outside. These mats trap dirt and grit from your shoes. Abrasive wear is the #1 cause of change in appearance in hardwood flooring.
Use and Abuse
What determines the lifespan of a floor? For most people it is when the change of appearance exceeds what they are willing to accept. It can be a change of gloss level that shows up in your traffic patterns but not everywhere else. Or it can be from frequents spills around the dog's water dish that do not get cleaned up. Or someone wearing cleats in the house. OK, you get the picture. In many ways the lifetime of the floor is up to you. Strategically placed rugs and the occasional rearranging of furniture will go a long way to increasing the lifetime of your floor.
Expectations of your Engineered Wood Floors
Let's try to make this floor last 50 years! maybe some day it needs a new coat or 2 of finish. That is easily done, and is a great way to extend the life of your floor.
The Installation Process
Installation isn’t too difficult for engineered wood flooring. The floor is finished already, so you won’t have to worry about that step in the process. When it comes to the engineered hardwood flooring installation process you should know that the planks have a tongue-and-groove style. This was developed by floor engineers so the flooring can easily slide into place allowing less moisture to get through. You’ll prep your floor, slide the boards together and use a nail gun or stapler to install the flooring.
You can review how to complete the installation process and if you feel better with a professional stepping in, then you can definitely hire one to complete your engineered wood flooring project. Be aware of the climate and weather conditions when you do decide to install. This is especially important if you live in a more humid climate. Weather and temperature affect how wood contracts and expands, so be aware of that.
Your Engineered Wood Floor May Last Longer Than You Want
Remembering that humid weather affects your floorboards is a great science tip to know when it comes to engineered hardwood flooring installation. Check out our blog that goes in-depth on how to care for your engineered hardwood floors. Now that you know how the process works you can get started on fixing up your home. Check out our selection of engineered hardwood flooring and get started on your next project!
