How long will engineered floors last?

Will engineered floors last as long as solid wood flooring? Usually not, but it may last up to 60 years.

Can an engineered floor be sanded and refinished?

It depends on the top layer's thickness. The entire life wear and appearance of the floor is in the face thickness. The thicker, the better, of course. Some products entering the market in the late 80's had a thin face veneer; they were difficult to sand and refinish without piercing the top layer. Today's thicker-faced products, with proper maintenance, can last up to 20 years or more. They can be sanded and re-finished at least two or three times by a pro, giving the home another 40 years of service. Thus, the careful customer may be buying a 60- year floor! (Yes, engineered floors do have something to sell.)

If the face-veneer is the limitation for wear, you may be wondering why the mills don't make thicker faces, or even use sawn wood (not peeled wood) on top of engineered layers. If you are wondering, you're on to something. Such floors are already being made in Europe, and doubtless will soon be manufactured here. The face is many pieces - or one piece -- of sawn wood, not peeled veneer. The core is solid pine (or other species) fillets.

Can engineered floors be installed where solid wood floors cannot?

Yes. Engineered floors can be successfully installed below grade, in basements, and in humid climates. They can even be fitted tightly against vertical obstructions. The floor can be glued directly to concrete, using several adhesive types.

Engineered products can be glued-down or stapled down. (Solid products must be nailed down or glued to a wood sub-floor.) Some engineered floors can be "floated" over various (but not all) sub-floors, without using either nails or adhesives. That makes engineered wood flooring ideal for remodeling.