Engineered hardwood flooring has become increasingly popular in recent decades as a versatile and durable flooring option. Constructed with multiple layers of wood materials bonded together, engineered floors provide the beauty of real hardwood along with increased stability, affordability, and eco-friendliness.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the benefits of engineered hardwood flooring and provide tips on how to properly care for your new floors. We’ll also cover the installation process and showcase why Milton Hardwood is the premier choice for engineered floors in the Milton, Burlington and Oakville regions.
A Brief History of Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered wood flooring first emerged in Europe in the 1960s as a means of providing greater stability for hardwood floors. The early engineered floors used a plywood base layered with a solid wood top. In the 1980s, more advanced production methods allowed for engineered floors to gain popularity in North America.
Today, engineered floors account for over half of all hardwood flooring sold today. Improved manufacturing techniques have increased the durability and performance of engineered floors, while retaining the beauty of natural hardwood.
What is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
Engineered hardwood flooring consists of multiple thin sheets of wood pressed together in a cross-grained configuration.
The top layer is a solid wood veneer that provides the visible look of a traditional hardwood floor.
Beneath this top layer are several sheets of plywood or high-density fibreboard made from wood byproducts. This multi-layer construction makes engineered floors exceptionally stable and resistant to expansion and contraction due to moisture. Many engineered floors have a thick enough top layer to allow sanding and refinishing numerous times.
The Rising Popularity of Engineered Hardwood Floors
In recent years, engineered floors have surpassed solid hardwood in usage and popularity. Homeowners are increasingly opting for engineered over solid wood due to the following advantages:
- Increased stability: less likely to warp or buckle.
- Resistance to moisture damage.
- Lower cost for similar beauty to real wood floors.
- Easier installation with wider, longer planks.
- Can be installed directly over concrete subfloors.
- Ideal for radiant heating systems.
- Can be refinished multiple times in most cases.
- Style: a wide variety of colours, grains, and textures are available for full customizability.
Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood flooring provides an attractive, eco-friendly, and affordable option that works well in any area of the home. Let’s look more closely at the benefits of choosing engineered over solid wood floors.
Sustainability
The manufacturing process for engineered floors is more sustainable and eco-friendly compared to solid hardwood. Since engineered floors use less solid timber, fewer trees are required.
The plies that compose the flooring are often made from recycled wood products or waste from other manufacturing processes. Responsible harvesting and increased use of recycled materials make engineered wood an excellent environmentally-friendly option.
Durability
Engineered hardwood is significantly more resistant to damage from moisture and humidity changes than solid wood. The layered plywood construction prevents swelling, cupping, and distortions in the wood.
Engineered flooring also stands up exceptionally well to heavy residential use, kids, pets, and high traffic areas. Properly installed and maintained engineered floors will last for decades.
Affordability
Using less solid timber means that engineered floors can be produced at a lower cost per square foot compared to solid hardwood. This reduced cost per square foot makes engineered wood accessible for more homeowners working within limited flooring budgets. You still get the appearance of real hardwood but at a more affordable price point.
Natural Beauty & Customizations
The multi-layer construction of engineered floors is hidden beneath the surface. Engineered wood floors showcase all the natural beauty, grain patterns, colour variations and textures of traditional hardwood.
Special visual technologies like distressing, hand-scraping, and fuming can further enhance the visual appeal. Custom stains and finishes let you perfectly match existing décor.
Ease of Installation
The wider and longer planks of engineered flooring allow for faster installation compared to solid wood. Engineered floors can be nailed or glued down, but most systems feature a floating click-lock system for DIY friendly installation.
Engineered wood is also ideal for installation directly over concrete, radiant heating systems, and acoustic underlayments. Proper installation is still key, so leave it to the pros for best results.
Cleaning and Caring for Engineered Hardwood Floors
With proper care and maintenance, your new engineered hardwood floors will maintain their pristine, like-new appearance for decades to come. Follow these tips for cleaning and caring for engineered wood floors:
Daily Cleaning
- Sweep, vacuum, or dust mop floors daily to remove dust and debris that can scratch the finish.
- Shake out area rugs and runners outside regularly.
- Pick up pet food and water bowls daily, and clean the area frequently to prevent moisture damage.
- Use interior and exterior doormats at all entrances to trap dirt and grit.
Weekly Cleaning
- Damp mop floors weekly using the recommended hardwood floor cleaner. Test cleaners first.
- Use microfibre mops and pads to prevent excess moisture.
- Fill small gaps with matching wood putty to prevent damage.
- Inspect for pet scratches and treat with touch up markers.
Protection & Damage Prevention
- Use felt floor protectors under furniture legs and appliances.
- Keep pet nails trimmed and their paws clean.
- Avoid walking on floors with cleats, sports shoes, or high heels.
- Monitor indoor humidity and ventilate kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
- Lift heavy furniture or appliances rather than sliding them across the floor.
Refinishing
- Sand and refinish floors when significant wear or damage occurs.
- Engineered wood can typically be refinished 2–3 times.
- Follow all instructions carefully during the refinishing process.
By following these floor care guidelines, your engineered hardwood floors will stay beautiful and like new for years of enjoyment. Preventative care is time well spent!
The Many Types of Engineered Hardwood Floors
There are several varieties of engineered hardwood to choose from, each with their own characteristics and benefits. Let’s look at some of the most common engineered flooring constructions:
Traditional Engineered Hardwood
This type consists of 3-9 thin plies of plywood or HDF (High-Density Fibreboard) bonded to a solid wood surface layer. It is available in various wood species and thicknesses, and is the most common and affordable engineered flooring type.
Cork-Backed Engineered Wood
This combines a surface veneer layer with a cork layer beneath, instead of plywood. The cork helps absorb sound and cushion the floor. An excellent choice for multi-level homes.
Acrylic-Infused Engineered Flooring
Acrylic resin is infused into the top layer during pressing to increase resistance to scratches, moisture, or dents. Ideal for homes with pets and active families who are constantly on-the-go with children who regularly participate in summer sports (i.e. soccer or baseball cleats).
Wide Plank Engineered Flooring
Uses longer and wider planks up to 7–8 inches across to mimic old-world wood floors. Provides quicker installation in fewer sections.
Thick Veneer Engineered Flooring
This flooring option has a surface veneer 4-6 mm thick, allowing for refinishing numerous times. This option provides maximum durability.
By selecting the right engineered flooring type for your needs, you can enjoy the perfect blend of beauty, stability, and longevity with your new hardwood floors.
The Engineered Hardwood Installation Process
Installing a new engineered hardwood floor requires careful planning, precision, and expertise. Our professional installation crews have decades of combined experience installing stunning wood floors throughout the Milton, Burlington, and Oakville regions.
Here’s what you can expect during the engineered hardwood installation process:
Floor Preparation
Existing flooring and subfloors are removed, inspected, and repaired if needed to create a smooth, stable surface for the new engineered flooring.
Measurements & Layout
Precise measurements are taken, and the planks laid out to determine optimal placement and visual appeal. This prevents wasting materials.
Acclimation
The engineered hardwood is acclimated on-site to adjust to interior humidity and temperature conditions before installation. This prevents future distortion once installed.
Moisture Testing
Moisture levels in the subfloor and wood are checked to ensure they are suitable for installation to prevent future damages.
Installation Method
Your flooring will either be nailed, glued, or floated depending on the construction type chosen and subfloor conditions.
Finishing Process
Our experts will sand the new flooring and apply your choice of stains, sealers, and urethane finishes with full dust containment.
With decades of experience earned on hundreds of installation projects, you can trust that Milton Hardwood will install your new engineered floors to perfection!
Why Choose Milton Hardwood for Your Engineered Flooring?
When it comes to expert installation and helping you select the ideal floors for your home, Milton Hardwood stands apart from typical flooring stores and contractors.
Family-Owned Since 1970
Milton Hardwood was founded in 1970 and has been family-owned and operated for over 50 years. Our heritage of outstanding craftsmanship and customer satisfaction dates back generations.
Focus on Customer Service
We take pride in providing the best customer experience—from first meeting to final walkthrough. Your 100% satisfaction drives everything we do.
Wide Selection of Brands and Styles
We offer a huge selection of brands, constructions, colours, textures, and finishing options. This allows us to help you find the perfect floor for your unique needs and style.
Competitive Pricing
Thanks to our high volumes and strong supplier relationships, we can provide competitively priced engineered flooring that matches your home improvement budget.
Convenient Showroom Locations
With showrooms in Milton, Burlington, and Oakville, you can see our floors in person and work with our experts to find your dream floors.
In-Home Design Consultations
We provide complimentary in-home consultations to view your space, take measurements, and help select products.
Custom Staining and Colouring
Achieve a completely custom look through our expert staining, colouring, distressing, and finishing of your engineered floors.
Dust-Containment Systems
Special dust-containment systems allow us to refinish existing floors with minimal mess and disruption.
Quality Installation for Lasting Results
Our experienced installation teams have undergone extensive training and certification to deliver flawless and efficient results.
By choosing Milton Hardwood, you get the expertise of a true flooring specialist combined with the service and quality of a local family-run business.
The Bottom Line on Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood flooring delivers the warmth and beauty of real wood alongside increased durability, stability, and eco-friendliness. When shopping for engineered floors, be sure to select products made with high-quality materials and multiple veneer layers for maximum performance. Proper installation and maintenance will help your new floors look pristine for decades while adding value and charm to any room.
For homeowners in the Milton, Burlington, and Oakville regions looking for stunning and affordable engineered hardwood floors, Milton Hardwood has the products, experience, and customer service to exceed your expectations.
Contact us today to start your journey to finding your dream floors! ► Call 1-833-824-9655.