Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Is it right for you?
For 55 years, Baird Brothers’ solid hardwood flooring has added warmth and charm to homes all over the nation. Now, that same American-crafted beauty is available in Baird Brothers’ engineered hardwood flooring. In this issue, Baird Brothers’ Steve Stack explains what engineered hardwood flooring is and how to decide if it’s the right flooring option for your home.
Is Engineered Flooring “Real” Hardwood Flooring?
It’s virtually impossible to tell the difference between installed solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring. “It looks and feels like real hardwood because it is real hard wood. It’s not laminate or plastic,” Steve said. The top layer is real hardwood attached to premium nine-ply Baltic Birch, all bonded with adhesive under heat and pressure. “As a result, engineered wood flooring is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity because the ply core is so stable, which means that it can be installed at all levels of the home.”
How do you know if engineered hardwood is right for you? “Because solid hardwood flooring and engineered flooring have the same look and feel, the decision on which to install should be based on climate and other practical considerations,” Steve said.
Consider the following features of Baird Brothers’ engineered hardwood flooring:
• More resistant to higher moisture levels than solid flooring.
• More stability means you can install over radiant heat sources.
• Can be installed on any grade level, whether the installation site is above, below (basements) or at ground level.
• Versatility of installation means it can be nailed, stapled or glued down, or floated over a wide variety of subfloors, including concrete.
• It can be sanded and refinished like a solid hardwood floor.
• Box store engineered hardwood? No contest. You might find it cheaper at box stores, but it’s no match for the American-made, high-quality engineered hardwood flooring hand-crafted at Baird Brothers’ mill in Canfield, Ohio.
Caring for Your Engineered Hardwood
Because engineered hardwood flooring is real hardwood, to maintain the beauty for years to come, it must be treated the same as solid hardwood flooring.
• It must acclimate to site and subfloor conditions.
• Prevent scratches and pick up dirt with the regular use of a Swiffer-like mop.
• Rugs and runners in high-traffic areas and felt pads under furniture legs minimalize wear and tear.
A Flooring Specie and Size to Fit your Décor
Baird Brothers’ engineered hardwood flooring is available in a variety of species, including hard-to-find quarter-sawn red and white oak, walnut, cherry, hickory, ash and more. Consult the Janka Hardness Scale to find the species that best fits your needs.
Note: Baird Brothers doesn’t have engineered hardwood in stock, it’s a pre-order manufactured item. Allow 4-6 weeks for unfinished engineered hardwood.
