It has several things going for it including ease of installation it can be glued down and lower prices.
Engineered floors prefinished vs unfinished.
Prefinished engineered flooring is a more common product than unfinished engineered flooring.
Engineered hardwood flooring is almost always sold pre finished and there is a narrower range of available colors and species than with solid hardwood.
Due to its versatility engineered flooring has gained a strong foothold in the hardwood floor industry.
Advantages of unfinished flooring.
Some pre finished engineered hardwood flooring has slightly beveled edges which creates slight grooves between boards while solid hardwood flooring generally has very tight seams between boards.
Prefinished floors means less mess which has obvious advantages especially if you have children or pets that you don t want exposed to fumes and other installation by products.
Engineered wood is less expensive than solid wood because less expensive woods are used for the lower layers.
Engineered flooring is another product that almost always comes prefinished and you may have to use it if the floor is below grade or in a damp area such as a kitchen or utility space.
However there are a few circumstances in which unfinished engineered flooring is more desirable than prefinished.
Even though solid prefinished flooring is real hardwood because of all the many factory sprayed on coats of polyurethane and or stain it is our opinion that prefinished flooring looks plastic y and factory made with a less noticeable grain pattern and thus less warm.
But once you factor in finishing costs prefinished ends up.
Prefinished wood flooring is the best avenue when hardwood prices installation cost and convenience are major factors for your flooring project.
One of the drawbacks to prefinished engineered flooring is the lack of customized.
Durability when it comes to choosing prefinished wood flooring you will find that both engineered and solid hardwood floors offer great durability and a long lifespan with regards to surface wear and tear it is more important that you research what kind of finish is to be added to your flooring as it is the finish that provides the main protection.
Engineered floors with a thin veneer typically cannot be refinished however many modern engineered wood floors are made with a thicker veneer that makes refinishing possible.
Solid wood flooring is generally available in prefinished and unfinished varieties.
Solid hardwood flooring is available in a wide array of wood species including oak maple and black walnut as well as regional specific choices like pecan mesquite and others.
Engineered hardwood flooring.