What should I look for in a quality engineered wood flooring product?
One of the first things to think about is is of course the quality of the finish (when referring to pre-finished engineered wood flooring). you can find out more about finishes from your NuFloor representative. Once you understand the important things to know about finishes we will next want to look at the milling. Milling basically has to do with how tightly together the boards fit, The squareness of each piece, how even two edges are when they are pressed together (also known as overwood). The next thing is the layer of veneer both in it's thickness and in how it is actually produced. Other considerations are what the core layer is made of, the integrity of the manufacturer, the quality of the bonding agent that holds the layers together, and a few others.
Engineered wood floor milling
We could get very technical here, but it may get confusing to most people so let's keep this simple! The best way to look at the milling is to examine the samples, get at least two pieces and press them together, run your fingernail over the joint to see if it catches (on square edge products). If the height difference between the two boards seems excessive that is likely a good example of what to expect in the floor. If the product has a micro bevel it is usually best as it helps to absorb a certain amount of milling tolerances. Also in the case of beveled edge engineered wood floors you will need to do a visual inspection to get a feel for the "fit". Another milling issue to consider is squareness, do not be afraid to take a square with you and check the boards (several if possible) for squareness. also look at how the tongue and groove fit together and be sure you are comfortable with the fit. Please know that all these milling issues can be less of an issue if we stay with premium brands Although they tend to be a bit more expensive the tolerances are tighter. Your NuFloor representative can help you decide which is best for your needs.
Top layer thickness of veneer on a quality engineered wood flooring
The Top layer of wood on an engineered wood floor needs to be considered carefully. first, look at the thickness of that layer. On some products we have seen top layers as thin as 1/16"-3/32" and on a product like this you need to be sure to understand you likely will not be able to sand and refinish this floor. The average thickness we see is about 1/8" which can allow for sanding but not much. These very thin layers can also easily be broken through by deep gouges causing nearly irreparable damage. Premium grade products will often have a top layer approaching 1/4" or even more. These engineered hardwood flooring products have every bit as much ability to be sanded and re-finished as any solid 3/4" product. You should also consider the center or core layer of an engineered wood floor, your NuFloor representative will guide you through all the considerations of each layer to best suit your needs.
Buy the best quality engineered wood flooring you can afford
As you can see there is more to a quality engineered wood flooring product than meets the eye. Any wood floor is an upgrade for many rooms, but keep in mind to buy quality engineered wood flooring it will not be "inexpensive." Our experience has shown that the real premium Quality engineered wood flooring is usually dry sawn and it is certainly our construction of choice. However, we do realize that sometimes the best can be cost prohibitive. We will assist you in making the best choice for YOU! As always we consider your job conditions, your budget, lifestyle and all necessary factors to make a wise choice.