f you are interested in hardwood floors, you need to familiarize yourself with the different types of engineered hardwood flooring so that you can choose the option that is most suitable for you. There are three primary kinds of engineered hardwood flooring, and the following guide will provide you with more information regarding each type:

Plywood construction

This is the most commonly available engineered hardwood floor and this type of construction consists of a plywood base and a top layer that is made of actual hardwood. This top layer is called the lamella and is glued to the plywood. The thickness of this layer will vary and can range anywhere from 1mm to 6mm. The thickness will impact the cost of the floor and your ability to re-sand it in the future, so make sure you discuss this aspect and choose the thickness that is most suitable to your needs. The plywood itself can be made up of a varying number of layers, which will depend on the desired thickness of the finished floor. Not all plywood is created equal and the quality can be high or low, so this is another aspect you must consider. The higher the quality of plywood, the better your flooring will be able to resist seasonal expansion, contraction and moisture.

SPF construction

This type of hardwood flooring is made of a combination of spruce, pine and fir softwood species, which are cut and arrayed and run perpendicular to the direction of the hardwood lamella. This helps them resist the natural expansion and contraction of the hardwood and one of the main benefits of this type of construction is that these softwood species are generally readily available. Homeowners who want completely real wooden floors would benefit from this option as well because SPF construction gives off that impression.

HDF core

This type of construction is the least common one and the core is made of high-density fiberboard. This core material is used on laminate floors, cork floors and linoleum floors that click together. It is also used for lower-cost hardwood floors that click together. This type of construction is considered a real hardwood floor; however, the lamella is glued to a high-density fiberboard base instead of a plywood or SPF base. The reason some homeowners choose this option is because of the attractive price point that makes it affordable to anyone. This type of flooring cannot be re-sanded, so make sure you keep that aspect in mind when choosing this option.

Milton Hardwood can go over all the different options with you to help you make an informed decision. Whether you need engineered hardwood flooring, laminate flooring or solid wood flooring, we do it all, and you can shop and buy online if you prefer. We service the Brampton, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Toronto and Vaughan areas, and can take care of all of your hardwood flooring needs, so give us a call today!