Engineered wood: Facts home owners should know about

Engineered wood is the latest trend doing the rounds of the markets these days. As the wood variety takes preference over solid wood, there is a lot of admiration for its performance in the long run. Since these wood pieces are more flexible than their solid counter parts, they have become an inseparable part of every household. Put them in the basements, or over concrete slabs, or any other place where solid wood can’t go in; the choice is yours. This is the flexibility it gives any home owners these days.

Vital points for your knowledge

Before taking the plunge, it’s imperative to make sure that you have some vital points in mind. This would mean that you need to understand if engineered wood is right for your house, what it will cost, will it hold up in the long run, etc.

Is it right for you?

If you are a DIY expert, chances are you will fall in love with the concept of engineered wood. Since these wooden boards come in a prefinished form, the installation is all the more easier and convenient. Engineered wood is suitable for basements and other places, where solid wood would often not be a good fit.

How much does it cost?

Engineered wood costs around 20% more than solid wood; however, you end up saving money on installation, staining and sealing, allowing you to break even, while doing nothing at all. Its savings coupled with quality all the way for you.

Will it hold up?

That’s a million dollar question; engineered wood come with a warranty of up to 10 to 30 years usually. This would mean that you can actually sit back and relax, as you observe the beauty of your floor’s sheen throughout your lifetime.

Installations

Basements: Many a times, the moisture in the basements can wreak havoc on your solid wood flooring. The moisture in turn can make the floors bend, or make the cracks expand, which will in turn cause a lot of expenditure in the long run. However, by using engineered flooring, you can save on costs of restoration, as these kinds of floors are tailor made for basements and other damp areas. These boards are usually thinner than solid wood; this means that they have a veneer layer just like plywood, making it an instant hit for installation in damp areas.

Over Radiant Heat

Moisture on one side and over radiant heat on the other, there is just so much to take into consideration while installing wooden flooring. If the heat quotient of a room is too high, chances are that solid wood will expand, and end up creating a messy situation for you. Engineered wood is more stable and are built to transfer heat in a much better manner.

While buying engineered wood, it’s imperative to be sure of the installation area. If you expect too much heat or moisture, chances are even engineered wood will give way in such situations. Be prudent of your floor’s conditions and the base on which it will be installed.