Lumber Liquidators
Engineered Flooring
at a Glance
Myth
Fact
• Engineered flooring is “fake.”
•
•
•
Engineered flooring is cheap
and won’t last.
Engineered Flooring is real wood!
Engineered flooring sold at Lumber
Liquidators consists of a decorative
hardwood veneer atop plies of premium
quality, hardwood plywood. Even an HDF
core is real wood that has been compacted
into a dense, impact-resistant format.
Engineered flooring can be economical,
but durability is not compromised. Multi-ply
hardwood or high-quality HDF cores
provide structural stability and all Schon,
Bellawood and Virginia Mill Works
engineered products have premium quality
finish to protect the hardwood veneer and
resist normal wear and tear. Warranties of
30 or 50 years show that this flooring is
built to last.
Myth
• Engineered flooring looks bad
& my neighbors will know I
didn’t buy solid wood.
•
Engineered flooring can’t
be refinished.
Fact
•
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Most engineered flooring at Lumber Liquidators is
made in Random Length format to avoid a
repetitive appearance. Thanks to REAL
HARDWOOD veneers, once the flooring is
installed, you cannot tell the difference between
solid and engineered planks. Also, because more
planks can be derived from every tree,
Engineered flooring can be more cost effective,
which gives customers access to beautiful exotic
species they may not think they can afford.
Engineered flooring with veneers of 2mm
thickness or more can be refinished at least
once. Veneers of 0.6mm cannot be refinished,
but flooring can usually be professionally buffed
or polished to remove surface scratches and
renew luster. In reality, today’s customer does not
stay in a home as long as they used to and most
people will never have to redo their floors. With
premium quality finish that contains scratch and
abrasion resistant agents, Schon or Bellawood
Engineered flooring will still be going strong, long
after the customer has left the home.
*Note: Virginia Mill Works hand scraped
products are not recommended for
refinishing.
Myth
• Engineered flooring is more
complicated to install.
•
Engineered flooring is only
good for basements and
condos.
Fact
•
With proper milling, Engineered flooring is no
more difficult to install than Solid Hardwood
flooring. In fact, Engineered flooring is very
popular with DIY customers and convenient
Quick Clic options provide fast, easy flooring
solutions for every budget.
•
Engineered flooring IS a great option for below
grade applications, but it can also be installed in
virtually any room of a home or building. By
design, the plies of Engineered flooring work
together to offset the natural movement of real
wood. Therefore, Engineered hardwood flooring
remains flat and delivers enhanced stability
during normal seasonal and environmental
changes that occur in every home, and can be
more reliable in humid climates. Engineered
flooring can be nailed, glued, or floated and can
be installed above or below grade, on concrete
and over radiant heat applications.*
*Most Species
Myth
• Size matters! When it comes to
veneers, thicker is better.
Fact
•
Not always. Plank stability can vary greatly depending
upon veneer, species, construction design, and climate.
Some species are inherently prone to checking or
cracking if the veneer is too thick. Exotic species can be
especially problematic if oils in the veneer react with the
adhesives required to bond the wood plies. Thinner
veneers yield less oil and can thus be more effective for
the long-term performance of the flooring.
Construction is another critical component of Engineered
flooring performance. Because one layer balances the
next, the design can make or break the plank. If the core
is not properly balanced with the veneer, the stronger
layer will eventually prevail and cause the layers to strain,
flex and bend.
Climate also has an impact on long-term durability. In
very arid climates, for example, thinner veneers can
remain beautiful for years whereas thick veneers react
negatively to the lack of moisture by cupping or cracking.
In reality, Engineered flooring is a science. Lumber
Liquidators needs to fully understand your needs in order
to make the right suggestion. Thicker is NOT always
better, but Lumber Liquidators will have a solution for
every situation because care is taken in understanding
every client’s environment.
Myth
• “I just saw the same thing at
Woody’s World of Wood for $2
less!”
Fact
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Probably not. When evaluating pricing, the following
should be considered:
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Veneer Thickness
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Plank Length & Style: How long are the planks? Are they
Random Length or Fixed Length? Are the planks truly a
single piece as the specs claim, or are listed dimensions
achieved by joining two or more narrow/short pieces of
wood?
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Wood Grade: Is the veneer clean or are there large knots,
putty repairs, cracks, etc.?
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Finish: Is it clear or milky? Can it be easily scratched with
a finger nail or blunt object?
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Species: Is it really Ebony, or a clever name that is meant
to confuse, like Ebony Ash?
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Warranty: Finish? Structure? 5, 25 or 50 years?
This document provides general information regarding engineered flooring. The
information may not apply to all brands or species of engineered floors or to all
circumstances. Please review all applicable installation instructions, warranties, and
product information carefully before purchase and installation.