Engineered Hardwood

Flooring types

Definition of Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood flooring consists of three to twelve layers of hardwood and plywood. The multiple wood layers are placed in opposite directions to boost the material’s durability and high-performance qualities.

The durability of engineered hardwood flooring is further enhanced by its construction process, which involves bonding multiple layers of wood together using heat and pressure.

This construction also makes it possible to install engineered hardwood on a variety of subfloors, including wood and concrete.

Engineered hardwood is typically ¾ to ⅜ inches thick and consists of layers made of various materials. The table below provides an overview of the nature of engineered hardwood flooring.

Layer	Thickness	Properties
Top or wear layer	3/8 to 1/2 inches	The visible layer of flooring Consists of high-quality hardwood Treated with polyurethane or aluminum oxide to prevent stains, scratches, and dents
Middle or core layer	1/6 to 1/8 inch thick	Consists of high-density plywood or fiberboard Adds stability and structure to the flooring
Bottom or backing layer	1/8 to 1/12 inch	Made from low-density fiberboard and plywood Enhances the stability of the floor

Engineered hardwood mimics the look and feel of solid hardwood flooring without the high maintenance needs. There’s also no risk of the floor warping, shrinking, or cupping.

Example of Engineered Hardwood in a Sentence

“You can barely tell apart this engineered hardwood floor from the solid hardwood floor at Jen’s.”

Related Terms:

• Hardwood
• Solid hardwood
• Distressed hardwood