Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood is made of stacking layers of processed wood, with the top layer made of oak, hickory, maple, etc. Like traditional hardwood, engineered products come in a variety of finishes and textures. Engineered wood’s greatest selling point in a climate as harsh as Michigan’s is that due to its layered construction, the expansion and contraction of the materials will not create a gap or spacing effect as traditional hardwood will.
Depending upon the specific product and installation instructions from the manufacturer, engineered hardwood often has multiple potential installation options.
- Glue down to subfloor or even concrete (unlike solid hardwood.)
- Float over padding (gluing the tongue and groove together and laying over pad)
- Stapling or nailing into a wooden substrate
ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORING FAQs
On concrete, the slab must be clean, flat, and dry before you install engineered hardwood flooring, and many products also require a moisture barrier or approved underlayment. Always test for moisture and follow the product instructions, because concrete-related moisture is one of the biggest causes of flooring failure.
To install engineered hardwood flooring, start by removing the old floor if needed, checking that the subfloor is clean, flat, dry, and structurally sound, and letting the material acclimate if the manufacturer requires it. After subfloor prep and layout, begin from a straight reference line, stagger end joints, fasten or glue the boards according to the product type, and finish with trim and transitions. Always read the product instructions first, because the required underlayment, adhesive, moisture barrier, spacing, and fastener schedule vary by brand and substrate.