Flooring Education: Engineered Flooring at a Glance

Myth

• Engineered flooring is "fake."
• Engineered flooring is cheap and won't last.

Fact

• Engineered Flooring is real wood. Engineered flooring sold at LL Flooring consists of a decorative hardwood veneer atop plies of hardwood plywood, Medium Density Fiberboard or High Density Fiberboard. Even an HDF/MDF core is real wood that has been compacted into a dense, impact-resistant format.
• Engineered flooring can be economical, but durability is not compromised. Multi-ply hardwood or high-quality HDF cores provide structural stability and all Mayflower, Builder's Pride, Bellawood and Virginia Mill Works engineered products have premium quality finish to protect the hardwood veneer and resist normal wear and tear.

Myth

• Engineered flooring looks bad & my neighbors will know I didn't buy solid wood.
• Engineered flooring can't be refinished.

Fact

• Most engineered flooring at LL Flooring is made in Random Length format to avoid a repetitive appearance. Thanks to REAL HARDWOOD veneers, once the flooring is installed, you cannot tell the difference between solid and engineered planks. Also, because more planks can be derived from every tree, Engineered flooring can be more cost effective, which gives customers access to beautiful exotic species they may not think they can afford.
• Engineered flooring with veneers of 2mm thickness or more can be refinished at least once. Veneers of 0.6mm cannot be refinished, but flooring can usually be professionally recoated or polished to remove or hide minor surface scratches and renew luster. In reality, today's customer does not stay in a home as long as they used to and most people will never have to redo their floors. With premium quality finish that contains scratch and abrasion resistant agents, Schon, Virginia Millworks, or Bellawood Engineered flooring can last a very long time.   

*Note: Virginia Mill Works hand scraped products are not recommended for refinishing.

Myth

• Engineered flooring is more complicated to install.
• Engineered flooring is only good for basements and condos.

Fact

• With proper milling, Engineered flooring is no more difficult to install than Solid Hardwood flooring. In fact, Engineered flooring is very popular with DIY customers and convenient Quick Click options provide fast, easy flooring solutions for every budget.
• Engineered flooring IS a great option for below grade applications, but it can also be installed in virtually any room of a home or building. By design, the plies of Engineered flooring work together to offset the natural movement of real wood. Therefore, Engineered hardwood flooring remains flat and delivers enhanced stability during normal seasonal and environmental changes that occur in every home, and can be more reliable in humid climates. Engineered flooring can be nailed, glued, or floated and can be installed on, above, or below grade. Engineered floors are the ideal choice over concrete, and some can be installed over radiant heat applications.            

Myth

• Size matters. In this case. When it comes to ' veneers, thicker is better.

Fact

• Not always. Plank stability can vary greatly depending upon veneer, species, construction design, and climate. Some species are inherently prone to checking or cracking if the veneer is too thick. Exotic species can be especially problematic if oils in the veneer react with the adhesives required to bond the wood plies. Thinner veneers yield less oil and can thus be more effective for the long-term performance of the flooring.
• Construction is another critical component of Engineered flooring performance. Because one layer balances the next, the design can make or break the plank. If the core is not properly balanced with the veneer, the stronger layer will eventually prevail and cause the layers to strain, flex and bend.
• Climate also has an impact on long-term durability. In very arid climates, for example, thinner veneers can remain beautiful for years whereas thick veneers react negatively to the lack of moisture by cupping or cracking. In reality, Engineered flooring is a science. LL Flooring is committed to fully understand your needs in order to make the right suggestion. Thicker is NOT always better, but LL experts will have a solution for every situation because care is taken in understanding every client's environment.

Myth

• "I just saw the same thing at Woody's World of Wood for $2 less!"

Fact

• Probably not. When evaluating pricing, the following should be considered:
• Veneer Thickness
• Plank Length & Style: How long are the planks? Are they Random Length or Fixed Length? Are the planks truly a single piece as the specs claim, or are listed dimensions achieved by joining two or more narrow/short pieces of wood?
• Wood Grade: Is the veneer clean or are there large knots, putty repairs, cracks, etc.?
• Finish: Is it clear or milky? Can it be easily scratched with a finger nail or blunt object?
• Species: Is it really Ebony, or a clever name that is meant to confuse, like Ebony Ash?
• Warranty: Finish? Structure? 5, 25, or 50 years?

This document provides general information regarding engineered flooring. The information may not apply to all brands or species of engineered floors or to all circumstances.

Please review all applicable installation instructions, warranties, and product information carefully before purchase and installation.
04.2019 

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