Understanding Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood was developed in the 1960s to solve solid hardwood's greatest weakness: its tendency to expand, contract, warp, and cup in response to humidity and temperature changes. The solution is ingenious — by cross-layering the substrate (each plywood layer is oriented perpendicular to the one below it), the opposing wood grains counteract each other's movement, creating a plank that remains dimensionally stable even in fluctuating conditions. The top wear layer is genuine hardwood — oak, walnut, maple, hickory, or exotic species — typically 0.6mm to 6mm thick. Thicker wear layers allow more refinishing cycles over the floor's lifetime. The quality difference between engineered hardwood products is enormous: budget products have a paper-thin veneer that cannot be refinished, while premium products have a 4-6mm wear layer that can be sanded and refinished 2-4 times, lasting decades. The cross-laminated construction also makes engineered hardwood compatible with radiant floor heating and allows for installation over concrete subfloors where solid hardwood cannot be used.
Engineered Hardwood in Interior Design
Engineered hardwood has become the flooring choice for design professionals because it delivers real hardwood beauty without the limitations. It can be installed in spaces where solid hardwood would fail — over radiant heat, on concrete slabs, in basements, and in climates with significant humidity swings. Wide-plank engineered hardwood (7-9 inch planks) in white oak, fumed oak, and natural walnut dominates current design trends, creating the sweeping, elegant floor surfaces that define modern and transitional interiors. The wear layer takes stain and finish identically to solid hardwood, so every color option available in solid wood is available in engineered. Installation is faster and more versatile — floating, glue-down, or nail-down methods are all possible. For homeowners seeking the warm, authentic look of hardwood throughout their home including kitchens, basements, and over heated floors, engineered hardwood is the professional recommendation.
