Engineered Hardwood Flooring Pros and Cons

Hardwood flooring is a timeless favorite, but it’s not always practical. Luckily, engineered hardwood flooring fills that gap. Engineered hardwood offers the look and feel of solid wood, but its layered construction resists temperature and humidity and comes at a lower cost and in a wider array of styles. If you’re weighing flooring options, let this guide walk you through common engineered hardwood flooring pros and cons.

What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

Engineered hardwood flooring consists of a thin layer of real hardwood on top of core layers of plywood or fiberboard. This makes it more stable and hardy than solid hardwood, especially for handling moisture or temperature changes. It is also less susceptible to warping or gapping, more budget-friendly, and simpler to install.

To the eye—and the foot—engineered wood seems just like solid wood. It comes in the same species, and you can sand and refinish it in some cases, depending on the thickness of the top layer. A flooring pro can identify which one works best for your needs.

Pros of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood has so many upsides that there’s no question why it’s a popular option. Here are some of the top perks of engineered hardwood flooring: 

Real Wood Appearance With Added Stability

Engineered hardwood looks like solid hardwood—because it almost is. The top layer is real hardwood. While the lower layers are made of plywood, you don’t see them. Once it’s installed, it’s virtually indistinguishable from traditional solid hardwood.

Resists Humidity and Temperature Changes

Thanks to its layered core, engineered hardwood resists expansion and contraction that humidity and temperature swings can cause in solid hardwood. So it’s a better fit for tricky spots like basements, kitchens, bathrooms, over radiant heating systems, and other places where solid wood can warp.

More Affordable Than Solid Hardwood

Although high-end options are pricey, engineered hardwood flooring installation costs less than solid hardwood. Solid hardwood floors cost about $5 to $28 per square foot, and engineered hardwood floors cost $4.50 to $16 per square foot. Overall, you get the same surface look without paying for solid wood through the entire plank.

More Style Options

Engineered hardwood comes in various plank widths, patterns, textures, and finishes. You’ll find almost every look you can achieve with solid hardwood at a lower price. This is especially true for wide planks and other looks you’d have to custom-order in solid hardwood. 

Easier and Faster Installation

Many engineered planks use click-lock systems, making them more DIY-friendly than solid hardwood flooring. You can install them as floating floors or by gluing or nailing them down. In contrast, solid hardwood requires nailing to the plywood subfloor. This saves time, effort, and installation costs, especially if you’re hiring a wood floor installer near you.

Can Be Eco-Friendly

Manufacturing engineered wood uses less hardwood than traditional planks, reducing waste and preserving rare wood species. Some include recycled materials and low-VOC adhesives for a greener option overall. However, not all engineered wood planks are eco-friendly, so if this is a priority, research the available choices.

Cons of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Don’t discount the downsides. Consider these cons before deciding on engineered hardwood:

Not Fully Waterproof

When comparing engineered wood flooring versus hardwood, you’ll find engineered wood resists moisture better, but it doesn't handle standing water well. Wipe up spills immediately to prevent warping, delamination, staining, and other damage.

The Surface Can Scratch or Dent

The hardwood veneer on engineered wood flooring is just that—a veneer. So, pet nails, furniture legs, or high heels can scratch it. Harder wood species and protective finishes help, but don’t expect engineered hardwood flooring to be immune to wear.

Limited Refinishing

In some cases, you can refinish engineered hardwood flooring planks once or twice, but you can’t sand down thinner veneers. Always double-check the thickness of the wear layer before buying. 

Some budget options have a thin hardwood layer on top. While this saves money up front, you’ll need to replace it sooner, and it will have a lower ROI than engineered flooring with a thicker veneer or solid hardwood.

Quality Varies

The quality among these planks varies greatly. Lower-end versions have paper-thin top layers or weak adhesives. Choose a quality brand with at least a 2-millimeter wear layer and durable construction. You’ll spend more, but you’ll get a better product that lasts longer.

May Require Professional Installation

Click-lock floating floors are great for DIYers, but glue-down and nail-down installations can get tricky. For the best long-term results, especially in moisture-prone areas or if you’re not an experienced DIYer, it’s worth hiring a pro to install the flooring.

Still Requires Maintenance

Like all wood floors, engineered hardwood needs regular maintenance. That includes sweeping to prevent scratches, using wood-safe cleaners, and avoiding water-based mops or waxy products. Follow engineered hardwood floor maintenance tips and the care instructions for your new flooring for the best results.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Alternatives

If engineered wood flooring isn’t the right fit for you, consider these alternatives:

• Solid Hardwood: Timeless, durable, and long-lasting, solid hardwood flooring is a classic choice. However, it’s prone to humidity damage, harder to install, and costs more.

• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP has a wood-like appearance and waterproofing at a lower cost. Luxury vinyl plank flooring isn’t real wood, but you may not be able to tell the difference. 

• Laminate Flooring: Affordable and scratch-resistant, laminate flooring is less realistic-looking than engineered or real wood. However, it’s a great option for busy homes on a budget.

• Bamboo Flooring: Bamboo flooring is eco-friendly and hardy against wear. It can be sensitive to moisture and isn’t always as stable as engineered wood, so research the pros and cons of bamboo flooring before making a choice. 

• Cork Flooring: Warm and soft underfoot and with decent water resistance, cork flooring is a great option for cozy, natural floors. However, it can fade in sunlight and dent.

Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring Right for Your Home?

Engineered hardwood floors strike a balance between beauty and durability. They’re a solid choice for homeowners who want real wood in rooms where moisture and heat are a concern, like kitchens, bathrooms, and over radiant heat. However, it’s not ideal if you’re looking for a flooring option you can refinish or one that will stand up to water.

If you’re unsure whether engineered hardwood is a good fit, talk with a flooring pro near you about the best type of floor for your home. They can also assist you in choosing the right species, finish, color, and hardwood veneer thickness and install it correctly.