Hardwood Flooring In Bedrooms: Is Engineering Hardwood A Good Option?

Engineered wood flooring is a popular alternative to traditional hardwood floors. It is made of a plywood core with a thin layer of hardwood on top, offering a more affordable and water-resistant option. While it cannot be refinished as frequently as solid hardwood, it is still a durable and cost-effective choice for homeowners. This article will explore the benefits and drawbacks of engineered wood flooring, specifically addressing its durability in bedrooms.

Pros and cons of engineered wood flooring

Pros of Engineered Wood Flooring

• Cost-effective: Engineered wood flooring is more affordable than traditional hardwood flooring, with prices ranging from $2.50 to $10 per square foot for most styles.
• Easy installation: Engineered wood flooring is DIY-friendly and can be installed as floating floors, glued down, or nailed down.
• Durability: The plywood construction of engineered wood flooring makes it more stable and less susceptible to warping, swelling, and shrinking than traditional hardwood. It is also more water-resistant, though not waterproof, and performs better in humid locations.
• Aesthetic appeal: Engineered wood flooring looks and feels like traditional hardwood, offering a stylish and timeless aesthetic at a lower cost. It is available in a variety of wood species, including oak, maple, hickory, birch, cherry, walnut, and exotic woods.
• Wide planks: Engineered wood flooring is available in wider planks (up to 10 inches or more) compared to traditional hardwood, which typically has a maximum width of 5 inches.
• Eco-friendly: Engineered wood flooring uses less hardwood per plank than traditional hardwood flooring, making it a more environmentally conscious choice.

Cons of Engineered Wood Flooring

• Maintenance: Similar to traditional hardwood, engineered wood flooring requires regular maintenance to retain its quality. It is prone to fading, scratches, and dents, and may need to be sanded and refinished over time.
• Weak: Some manufacturers use cheap and weak materials, resulting in flooring that becomes unstable and weak over time. It is important to research and choose a high-quality manufacturer.
• Colour changing: Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause the wood to fade, and this issue can be challenging to fix if left unattended for too long.
• Hollow sound: Engineered wood flooring may sound more hollow underfoot, especially with a floating installation. Stapling or gluing the planks can help reduce this sound.
• Refinishing limitations: Engineered wood flooring cannot be refinished as often as traditional hardwood due to its thin layer of hardwood. It may be sanded and refinished once or twice, but the number of times depends on the thickness of the veneer layer.
• Not recommended for wet areas: While engineered wood flooring handles moisture better than traditional hardwood, it is still not the best choice for areas prone to flooding, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements.

How does it compare to solid hardwood flooring?

Engineered and solid hardwood flooring may look the same, but there are some key differences to consider when comparing the two.

Firstly, engineered hardwood flooring is made of a thin layer of hardwood bonded over a plywood or HDF (high-density fibreboard) core. This makes it a more affordable option than solid hardwood, which is made of a single piece of solid hardwood. The core of engineered flooring consists of 5 to 7 layers of plywood, pressed together in a crisscrossed pattern, making it more stable and less susceptible to shifting, expanding, or contracting when exposed to changes in temperature, moisture, and humidity.

Solid hardwood is considered the "gold standard" in flooring due to its durability, authenticity, and timelessness. It is constructed from 100% hardwood and is known for its stability, colour consistency, and refined grain. It is available in harder wood species like Oak, Maple, and Hickory, which offer greater resistance to wear and denting. Solid hardwood flooring can be sanded down and refinished several times over its lifespan, allowing it to last anywhere between 30 to 100 years or more.

On the other hand, engineered hardwood flooring is more water-resistant than solid hardwood due to its plywood construction. However, it is not waterproof and will begin to delaminate if exposed to water for an extended period. Engineered hardwood is also easier to install for DIYers, as it comes in floating, click-lock versions or traditional nail-down and glue-down versions. It is a more sustainable option, as it uses less hardwood in its production.

In terms of pricing, solid hardwood generally comes at a higher price point than engineered hardwood. However, engineered hardwood in premium collections can be more expensive, offering better durability and a thicker top layer that allows for more sanding and refinishing.

Both solid and engineered hardwood flooring are excellent choices for bedrooms, living rooms, dining areas, and kitchens. However, solid hardwood is not recommended for bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements where moisture and humidity can be an issue. Engineered hardwood, with its greater resistance to moisture, is a better choice for these areas.

Ultimately, the decision between solid and engineered hardwood flooring depends on your specific needs, budget, and location. Both options offer durability and a range of design choices, but they differ in terms of construction, longevity, installation, and price.

Installation methods

There are four main installation methods for engineered hardwood flooring: floating, glue-down, nail-down, and staple-down. Each method has its own advantages and requirements, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your needs and skill level. Here is an overview of each installation method:

• Floating Installation: This is the most common and easiest method for installing engineered wood floors. The process involves inserting the tongue of one plank into the groove of another, locking them together, and creating a single "floating" unit. This method allows for some natural expansion and contraction of the floor and can be installed over various subfloors, including concrete. It is also the most DIY-friendly option.
• Glue-Down Installation: This method involves adhering the engineered wood planks directly to the subfloor using a special flooring adhesive. It creates a highly stable floor, ideal for installations over concrete or radiant heating systems, and reduces noise. However, it is more challenging and time-consuming than the floating method and may require professional installation.
• Nail-Down Installation: This method is similar to traditional hardwood installation, where planks are nailed or stapled to a wood subfloor. It allows for easy repairs or board replacement and is manageable for those with hardwood installation experience. However, it is only suitable for wood subfloors and may not be suitable for thinner engineered wood products.
• Staple-Down Installation: This method is very similar to the nail-down method, but uses staples instead of nails to secure the planks to the subfloor. It follows the same preparation steps as the nail-down method and is also suitable for plywood subfloors.

Regardless of the installation method chosen, there are several important steps to ensure a successful installation. These include:

• Acclimating the flooring to the room's temperature and humidity for at least 24 hours before installation.
• Preparing the subfloor by cleaning, levelling, and checking for any squeaks or loose areas.
• Mixing planks from different containers to avoid patches of colour and create a unified look.
• Wearing protective gear, such as eye protection and a dust mask, during the installation process.
• Maintaining consistent indoor humidity levels after installation to prevent wood expansion or contraction.

By following these steps and choosing the appropriate installation method, you can ensure a durable and long-lasting engineered hardwood floor in your bedroom.

Durability and refinishing

Engineered hardwood flooring is made of a thin layer of hardwood bonded to a plywood core. This construction gives it more stability than solid hardwood, which is a single piece of wood. The plywood layers are stacked in a criss-cross pattern, glued together in opposing directions, which means that when the floor is exposed to high humidity, each layer counteracts the other's natural tendency to swell or shrink. This makes engineered hardwood flooring less prone to warping in wet conditions or extreme temperatures than solid hardwood.

However, solid hardwood is more durable and can be sanded down and refinished several times over its lifespan. Solid hardwood flooring can last anywhere between 30 to 100 years with the proper maintenance and care. Engineered hardwood flooring, on the other hand, can last up to 30 years or more with proper maintenance, but it cannot be refinished as often as solid hardwood. While solid hardwood can be sanded an average of seven times, engineered hardwood can typically be refinished only once or twice before the thin veneer of hardwood is exhausted.

Engineered hardwood flooring is also more water-resistant than solid hardwood, but it is not waterproof. It performs better in humid locations since its plywood construction makes it more stable and less susceptible to warping. However, it should not be installed in wet spaces like bathrooms.

Solid hardwood, on the other hand, is not recommended for installation in wet locations or against concrete slabs, as humidity migrating through the concrete can cause the wood to swell and warp. Solid hardwood is also more prone to splitting and cupping when exposed to water.

In terms of scratch resistance, solid and engineered hardwood perform similarly. However, severe scratches may gouge through the thin veneer of engineered hardwood. Solid hardwood does not have this issue since it does not have a top veneer layer.

Overall, while engineered hardwood flooring offers more stability and water resistance than solid hardwood, solid hardwood is more durable and can be refinished more often.

Cost

The cost of engineered hardwood flooring varies depending on several factors, including the brand, manufacturer, installation complexity, room size, wood species, and labor costs.

Brand and Manufacturer

The reputation and brand recognition of the manufacturer influence the price. Established brands with a proven track record of producing high-quality products tend to be more expensive.

Installation Complexity

The complexity of the installation process, including the subfloor condition, the need for moisture barriers, and intricate patterns, can increase labor time and material requirements, impacting the overall cost.

Room Size

The size of the room or area to be floored is a significant factor. Larger spaces require more materials and labor, making them more expensive.

Wood Species

The choice of wood species affects the cost. Rare or exotic wood species tend to be more expensive due to their limited availability and unique aesthetic features, while common domestic wood species are generally more affordable.

Labor Costs

Labor costs vary regionally and depend on the skill and expertise required for the installation.

Taking these factors into account, engineered hardwood flooring typically ranges from $2,000 to $7,000 for the entire project or $3 to $16 per square foot, including both material and labor costs. Basic engineered hardwood flooring usually falls in the range of $3 to $9 per square foot, mid-grade selections range from $6 to $12 per square foot, and luxury or high-end options can exceed $25 per square foot.

It's worth noting that additional costs may arise, such as underlayment, adhesive, fasteners, and transition strips. Moreover, if you opt for professional installation, labor costs can account for about 50% of the total project cost.

Compared to traditional solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood is generally a more affordable option, with solid hardwood costing up to $23 or even $40 per square foot in some cases.

In summary, the cost of engineered hardwood flooring is influenced by various factors, and it's important to consider your specific requirements, room characteristics, and budget constraints when making a decision.

Frequently asked questions