Engineered Hardwood

The Fundamentals of Good Engineered Wood Flooring

Advancements in technology and flooring innovations have led to the development of strong and durable engineered hardwood flooring made almost completely of real wood.  Some brands of engineered flooring are significantly better than the solid hardwood flooring at keeping out moisture and survival in harsh room temperatures. They can also be cheaper.

Here are some facts to consider if you are thinking of buying engineered hardwood flooring:

1. Engineered Hardwood Flooring Quality
   
   High-quality plywood comes from Baltic birch that is marine-graded. Looks are not a good way to tell a poor quality engineered hardwood flooring from a good quality. You really need to know the exact composition of the flooring. The quality of plywood used determines the overall quality of the flooring.
   
   On the other hand, lowly graded three-ply softwood makes low quality engineered wood flooring. They delaminate easily, which reduces the longevity of the flooring. Also, make sure that the quality of the wear layer is thick enough to prevent moisture leakages for years to come.
2. Protection Against Moisture
   
   High quality engineered hardwood flooring can outperform solid hardwood flooring if it is properly installed. However, you cannot completely ignore the effect of the moisture, especially if the floor is in a room area with high moisture like a bathroom or kitchen. On the other hand, total dryness can make the engineered product delaminate or “split up”.  Our professional installers and sales people work together as a team to help you choose the best floor for every room in your house to make sure that you will enjoy your new floor for many, many years to come.
3. How to Know Floors You Can Trust 
   
   Government agencies keep track of the activities of the wood industry so as to ensure the regulation of their pollution. The California Air Resource Board (CARB) is tasked with ensuring that the engineered wood flooring manufacturers are in compliance with all legal regulations. All of the engineered wood products sold by Eckards Flooring have passed rigorous CARB testing and meet or exceed their demanding standards.

Balanced engineered wood floors

It is extremely important to purchase a well-balanced engineered hardwood floor. Balanced engineered flooring manufacturers have a thorough understanding of the composition of the tree species, pile thickness and the width of the flooring. Balanced products are three layered with the middle layer composed of softwood or plywood. A soft wood in between the two layers for engineered wood flooring stabilizes the flooring by allowing the flexibility of the plank while minimizing the flooring tension.

Does the product have a warranty?

Most of the warranties offered by engineered wood manufactures do more for marketing than they do to help protect consumers.  Eckards goes way beyond manufacturers warranties to make sure your hardwood floor will give beauty, comfort and value to your home for many, ma