We want to make sure you understand some myths about Engineered hardwood and the facts behind it. Here's an article to help you understand the truth about Engineered flooring.
Myth #1 - Engineered flooring is “fake.”
Fact #1 - Engineered Flooring is real wood! Engineered flooring sold at Lumber Liquidators consists of a decorative hardwood veneer atop plies of premium quality, hardwood plywood. Even an HDF core is real wood that has been compacted into a dense, impact-resistant format.
Myth #2 - Engineered flooring is cheap and won’t last.
Fact #2 - Engineered flooring can be economical, but durability is not compromised. Multi-ply hardwood or high-quality HDF cores provide structural stability and all Schon, Bellawood and Virginia Mill Works engineered products have premium quality finish to protect the hardwood veneer and resist normal wear and tear. Warranties of 30 or 50 years show that this flooring is built to last.
Myth #3 - Engineered flooring looks bad & my neighbors will know I didn’t buy solid wood.
Fact #3 - Most engineered flooring at Lumber Liquidators 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.
Myth #4 - Engineered flooring can’t be refinished.
Fact #4 - 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 buffed or polished to remove 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 or Bellawood Engineered flooring will still be going strong, long after the customer has left the home. (Note: Virginia Mill Works hand scraped products are not recommended for refinishing.)
Myth #5 - Engineered flooring is more complicated to install.
Fact #5 - 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 Clic options provide fast, easy flooring solutions for every budget.
Myth #6 - Engineered flooring is only good for basements and condos.
Fact #6 - 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 above or below grade, on concrete and over radiant heat applications.* (Most Species)
Myth #7 - Size matters! When it comes to veneers, thicker is better.
Fact #7 - 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. Lumber Liquidators needs to fully understand your needs in order to make the right suggestion. Thicker is NOT always better, but Lumber Liquidators will have a solution for every situation because care is taken in understanding every client’s environment.
Myth #8 - “I just saw the same thing at Woody’s World of Wood for $2 less!”
Fact #8 - 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?
