Engineered for Performance

The majority of the pre-finished wood floors sold in California, are "engineered." It used to be called "laminate"- but the birth of Pergo changed their distinction. An engineered floor has 3 or 5 layers of wood. In looking at the product, you might think that the thin layers of wood are that way to save money over a solid piece of hardwood, but in actuality, it is really about the stability of the product. When wood expands and contracts, it does so only in one direction. The different layers of wood in an engineered product are laid in opposing directions with each layer, and then glued and bound in such a manner that it drastically reduces the amount of expanding and contracting the floor will do. This is what makes it possible to install this type of floor on a concrete slab that has moisture coming through it. (With that in mind, there are extreme cases of moisture where even an engineered wood is not going to work- reputable stores can measure the moisture content in your slab and let you know what your specific situation is- there are special adhesives and vinyl underlayments that can help).

So- let's say you have decided that you want/need an engineered wood floor- there are still more decisions to make.

The next decision to make is whether you prefer a longstrip or individual plank floor- otherwise called a "floating" floor or glue down.

Longstrip-

A longstrip floor is one where the pieces of wood, in an engineered piece, are put together in a long strip of wood, usually about 8 inches wide and 7 feet long. Each longstrip is then put together with a tongue and groove construction.

• PROS

1. Longstrips are a smoother floor. A typical individual plank floor has what is called "overwood" Where each plank is glued to the floor, the imperfections in the slab (and there are imperfections in EVERY slab), make the pieces of wood slightly higher here or there. Longstrips, or a floating floor, do not actually glue down to the floor, only to each other. This proves to be a smoother floor in most situations.


2. They, generally speaking, install quicker. It is not in my nature to make a long term flooring decision for such a reason, but, they do install faster.


3. Because they "float" they are sometimes a better choice if you find that you do have a high moisture content in your slab.

• CONS

1. They are a "real" hardwood floor, but they sometimes look a little like a laminate. (This is less common in the style in the photo- by Kahrs . Here the planks are long solid pieces of wood rather than more of a "butcher block" look.) BTW- I love Kahrs- they are my favorite long strip brand. They take great pride in their product, and have fabulous warranties, and from my experience, really stand behind their product. They are not cheap- but hey- it's only money- this is your FLOOR!


2. They are noisy. If you do not wear shoes in your home- you will not notice so much, but they are louder. Hard shoes tend to have a clippity clop sound. (This might bug some people, and not others)