Engineered wood- Their Pros and Cons

When investing in a beautiful house, you may like to have the best of materials used which not only add a natural and timeless appeal to your property but also increase the longevity and durability of the house. There is a lot of confusion between the solid and engineered wood as both are very difficult to differentiate after installation. However, in recent times, engineered hardwood flooring is becoming popular because of its dimensional strength, economical range, and variety of colors and designs. Floor heating Toronto by heavenly heat explains you the pros and cons of engineered wood:

Pros:

  1.   Installed over concrete slabs: Engineered wood is the best way of hybrid flooring. Here, you can utilize the theme of a hardwood floor in a more stylish and practical way. Engineered wood has multi-layered construction that can withstand moisture and humidity better than solid hardwoods. They can even tolerate high-temperature fluctuations. 
  2.   Various installing methods: Engineered wood is an easy DIY with online tutorials. You can float, stable or glue engineered wood,  but this can’t be done with solid hardwood. Locking mechanisms with planks are also available.
  3.   Resistant to moisture and humidity: Engineered woods are assembled in layers in which top layer is a wood veneer, while the core layers are made up of plywood, particle board or fiberglass. These are stacked in a criss-cross pattern and then glued in opposite directions.
  4.   Better resale value: There is a better return on investment with engineered wood if you are going for resale of your property. 
  5.   Better refinishing is possible with engineered hardwood: It is possible to refinish the engineered wood occasionally till 2-3 refinishes.
  6.   Sanded, stained and sealed: Engineered flooring can be sanded, stained and sealed to give you a shiny finish. 
  7.   Durable, time- tested and trendy: Engineered woods are durable, time- tested, trendy and stylish.  They will never go out of style and trend in terms of material.
  8.   Compatible with radiant heating: Engineered wood is durable to withstand the temperature fluctuations. Floor heating Toronto by heavenly heat makes the wood cost-effective and comfortable

Cons:

  1.   Fades with sunlight: Engineered wood fades in sunlight and may leave you noticeable spots. Try to cover the area maximum with carpets and blinds to prevent the fading away of the floor.
  2.   Susceptible to scratches and dents: 

Engineered products require maintenance to prevent them from the dent, scratch, and scar. If you have pets or wear heels, your floor is bound to have scratches. 

  1.   Economical: Though prices vary with location and manufacturer, the price of engineered hardwood is comparable to that of solid hardwood and is a good choice if you want an economy product with quality.  
  2.   Manufacturers may use low-quality core materials: Sometimes, manufacturers try to reduce the production costs by using low-quality manufacturing material like fiberboard. This makes the floor prone to damage and results in instability of the floor.
  3.   Requires maintenance: Engineered wood are high on maintenance as they require regular cleaning like a mop and sweep on a daily basis. A lot of bacteria and fungal growth is possible in case of excess moisture trap.