To the naked eye, engineered hardwoods and solid hardwoods appear the same. But they differ in below-the-surface compositions and capabilities, with engineered hardwood often taking first place in durability. Solid hardwood floors are composed of real wood from top to bottom, while engineered wood is real wood too, as it is comprised of finish wood on top and non-finish plywood underneath. The middle layers of plywood in engineered wood flooring are laid cross-ways to the finish layer, which provides additional flooring strength. The engineered wood layers are glued and laminated under high pressure and heat, which lends to the fact that engineered floors are well suited to almost every room in the house because of its slightly higher resistance to humidity, as compared to solid hardwood.

Engineered wood floorings' higher resistance to humidity and light moisture allows this flooring option to be used with radiant flooring. Engineered hardwoods are also resistant to seasonal contraction and expansion often seen in sold hardwood, and can often be installed directly over dry concrete slabs. A true testament to its design flexibility, engineered wood flooring comes in as many options as species - such as oak, bamboo, and maple - as do solid hardwood floors.

Engineered hardwood's top finish layer is pre-finished, which means that it's already sanded and sealed with a factory applied-finish. The floor can be walked on right after it is installed. However, if dings and scratches develop, many engineered floors can be refinished once or twice depending on the thickness of their top veneer, and as recommended by the manufacturer. Engineered flooring refinishing should also be performed by a professional, as it is very easy to gouge engineered wood and reveal the plywood underneath.

National Floors Direct offers both solid hardwood and engineered hardwood in a range of colors and species sure to complement your Baltimore, Washington DC, or Northern Virginia home. Contact us today for all of your flooring installation needs.

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