The Secret to Putting Coveted Hardwood in Your Active Kitchen is Engineered Flooring

Do you dream of walking on beautiful hardwood floors in your kitchen? Yet you hesitate, worried that all the spills, messes, and traffic will quickly ruin the floor's appearance. Solid hardwood may not stand up well to the demands of a busy kitchen. But you can have the best of both worlds - the beauty of real wood with the durability you need - by choosing engineered hardwood flooring.

Engineered hardwood provides a stable, sturdy base that resists moisture damage while delivering the aesthetic of natural hardwood on the surface. Keep reading to learn why engineered flooring outperforms solid wood in kitchens.

What Exactly is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

Engineered hardwood consists of multiple layers of wood pressed together in a cross-ply construction. The top layer features a solid hardwood veneer made from oak, maple, hickory or other wood species. This provides the same elegant, natural wood look of solid hardwood flooring.

Underneath the veneer are several layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard running in different directions. This creates a multi-directional structure that is more stable than solid wood's single plank construction. The layers resist expansion and contraction with changes in temperature and humidity.

Why Engineered Flooring Stands Up Better in Kitchens

The resilience of engineered hardwood makes it an ideal choice for kitchen installations. Here are some of its advantages over solid wood:

• Holds up to heavy foot traffic. Can withstand dropped pots, pans, and other impacts.
• Does not warp or cup easily when subjected to water or moisture.
• Cross-ply structure prevents swelling, shrinkage, and cracks.
• Thicker wear layer and aluminum oxide coating resists scratches.

While no flooring is completely indestructible, engineered hardwood is less likely to become damaged by the everyday wear-and-tear of a kitchen. Properly installed and cared for, it can provide years of beauty and enjoyment.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Engineered Flooring

While all engineered products share a similar construction, you'll still want to evaluate a few factors when selecting flooring:

• Hardness rating - Harder woods like hickory and maple resist dents.
• Wear layer thickness - Thicker is better for durability.
• Core material - Plywood provides greatest dimensional stability.
• Finish - Aluminum oxide or ceramic-infused coatings provide scratch protection.
• Warranty - Longer warranty periods indicate a more durable floor.

Pros of Using Engineered Flooring in Kitchens

Engineered hardwood offers several compelling benefits for kitchen installations:

• More stable and less prone to swelling/shrinking than solid wood.
• Easier installation - can be floated over underlayment.
• Very cost-effective - $4 to $8 per square foot for materials.
• Wide selection of wood species, colors, and grains.
• Can use beautiful but soft woods like walnut and cherry.

With engineered hardwood, you don't have to sacrifice appearance for functionality. Even a busy, accident-prone kitchen can look amazing!

Potential Downsides to Weigh

Engineered hardwood has many advantages, but also some limitations to keep in mind:

• Wear layer is thinner than a solid wood plank.
• Can only be refinished a few times.
• May have slightly lower resale value.
• Occasional surface scratches and dents.

While engineered flooring resists moisture and stains better than solid hardwood, it is not water proof . Spills should still be wiped up immediately to avoid damage. The floor may show minor scratches and wear over time with heavy usage. But it will continue looking beautiful for years with proper care.

Installation Tips and What to Expect

Engineered hardwood can be installed using staple-down, nail-down, or floating methods. Floating is the easiest approach for DIYers, with boards glued together rather than fixed to the subfloor. Here are some tips for a successful installation:

• Acclimate flooring to the room's temperature/humidity for 1-2 weeks before installation.
• Include 1/4" perimeter expansion space between floor and walls.
• Use floor protectors on furniture legs to prevent scratches.
• Expect minor indentations and scratches over time.

While engineered flooring is durable, it cannot withstand abuse. Be prepared for some minor imperfections to develop with daily wear. But the floor should continue looking beautiful for 10 or more years with proper maintenance.

Caring for Your New Engineered Hardwood Kitchen Floors

Keep your kitchen floors looking like new by following these care guidelines:

• Sweep or vacuum daily to remove grit that can scratch floors.
• Damp mop as needed with approved hardwood floor cleaner.
• Immediately wipe up spills and excess moisture.
• Re-apply protective finish per manufacturer's recommendations.
• Use felt pad floor protectors under furniture legs.

Avoid excessive moisture on the floors. Routinely inspect for any areas of damaged finish and re-coat as needed. With proper care, your engineered hardwood floors will continue looking beautiful for years of heavy kitchen use.

Beautiful, Durable Floors Are Possible in Your Kitchen

Choosing engineered hardwood flooring allows you to have the coveted look of real hardwood in your kitchen without sacrificing durability and resilience. Engineered flooring withstands moisture, traffic, and other rigors of kitchen use while maintaining the elegant appearance of solid wood.

With thousands of options to match your style, proper installation, and some simple maintenance, engineered floors will retain their beauty through years of family meals, parties, and other kitchen activities. Don't settle for drab floors that fail to reflect your home's personality. With engineered hardwood, you can confidently add warmth, charm, and value to your kitchen.

Durability Testing

Independent studies by flooring organizations and consumer groups have tested the durability of engineered hardwood in high-traffic environments. In a recent test by the National Wood Flooring Association, an engineered hickory floor received over 50,000 impacts from a weight simulating foot traffic without sustaining any damage. Consumer Reports also found leading engineered flooring brands resisted dents, scratches, and moisture damage through thousands of steps and spills.

Maintenance Requirements

While low-maintenance compared to other wood floors, engineered hardwood does require some regular care to look its best and resist wear over many years in a kitchen. Experts recommend sweeping daily, damp mopping weekly with hardwood cleaner, and immediately wiping up spills and water. Re-coating with an approved finish every 1-2 years will renew scratch protection. Properly caring for engineered hardwood requires minimal daily effort.

Cost Comparison

The upfront material cost of engineered flooring is about 30% less than solid hardwood. Installation costs are comparable for both. Over time, engineered wood may need sanding and re-coating more often due to a thinner wear layer. But its resistance to moisture damage means less need for major repairs or replacement than solid hardwood. Overall, engineered wood provides greater long-term value and lower lifetime cost.

Environmental Considerations

Many engineered flooring brands use sustainable harvesting and manufacturing processes. Since engineered wood utilizes thinner veneers over plywood or fiberboard cores, it makes more efficient use of lumber than milled solid planks. With proper maintenance, engineered floors can also last longer than solid wood, reducing environmental impact. Look for FSC-certified engineered flooring for the greenest choice.