Designing or renovating a home is a long process filled with endless details and decisions. The wrong choice can lead to a design you regret for years to come, but the right choices will save you money, increase the value of your home, and create a space you enjoy. This is true of every decision you make, but one of the most important choices ahead of you is what kind of flooring you want. Even after you’ve narrowed down your options to the various kinds of beautiful, durable engineered hardwood, you still have plenty of choices to consider. If you’re stuck wondering about the differences between species, veneers, and cores, look no further. Find the perfect option for your home with this guide on how to choose the best engineered hardwood flooring.
Start With Appearances
Appearance is the first thing that comes to mind when considering your flooring options. After all, you need a floor that complements the colors, décor, and general atmosphere of your home. Keep a few things in mind as you sort through the options before you. Lighting plays a huge role in the overall look of your wood floors. For example, lighter woods will reflect more light and make the space feel brighter. Darker woods, on the other hand, create depth in rooms with a lot of natural light and a lighter color scheme.
What’s Inside Matters
Once you know what you want your floor to look like, you must consider how that floor is made. All engineered hardwood consists of a layer of solid wood on top of a composite wood core. The top layer of solid wood, also known as the veneer, gives your floor its solid wood appearance. However, you can’t forget about the composite wood core. This is the ingredient that gives engineered hardwood its durability and advanced moisture resistance. You want a high-quality product with a high-density fiberboard core. This creates denser, harder planks that hold up better against moisture and general wear and tear, making them much more valuable than medium-density fiberboard or plywood cores.
Think Long-Term
The flooring you choose is an investment for your home. That’s why a huge part of how to choose the best engineered hardwood flooring is to consider the future of your property. The longer your flooring lasts, the less time and money you have to put into repairing or replacing it. Engineered hardwood flooring is a durable option no matter what, but you can make a few choices to maximize the lifespan of your floors. Look for a thicker veneer. This will allow you to sand down and refinish your engineered wood floor multiple times throughout its lifespan. Additionally, pay attention to the finish you choose. A matte finish is better at concealing scratches and other minor flaws than shiny or glossy finish options.
