Away With Carpets, In With Engineered Flooring

What exactly is engineered flooring? It is flooring made from real wood, but is manufactured in layers. This differs from laminate wood flooring, whose top surface is a picture of wood. Engineered is available in a wide variety of finishes, from light oak to dark walnut. Whatever the style of the home, there is a finish that will complement the atmosphere and decor. Because the top layer is made of real wood, homeowners attain a higher quality look than that offered by the laminate alternative.Engineered wood is more versatile than traditional wooden flooring because it is not limited in the ways that it can be installed. Solid wood for example, should not be installed on top of concrete and manufacturers also recommend that it not be used in basements. Engineered flooring has none of these limitations.However it's not just the rooms that is can be used in that is a benefit, durability as well as style is something you can look forward to. Traditional hardwoods often buckle and separate over time and also after high traffic flow. Engineered wood is built to withstand wear and tear; it makes an ideal choice for areas of the home with heavy footfall traffic.It's not just a comparison over other floor types however, the superiority over laminate and solid hardwoods also extends to carpet as well. From appearance (carpets show dirt easily) to longenvity (carpets, comparatively, wear out quickly), you will find that carpets come 2nd best in each category.For a family with children, carpet can be especially messy. Spills soak into carpet; they can't be wiped away easily as they can with wood floors. Anyone with children knows how often accidents and spills happen and what a hassle it is to constantly be soaking carpets with stain removal spray. Engineered wood is far easier and faster to clean.Families with pets should especially consider replacing carpets with engineered wood. With pets in the home, carpet must be vacuumed regularly to prevent the accumulation of pet hair and also allergens that build up in the carpet. So much vacuuming quickly causes a worn look. Additionally, carpet absorbs pet odours. No matter how much it is vacuumed, carpet holds the smell of pets. Perhaps the most important consideration when choosing flooring for the home is cost. Engineered wood is surprisingly less expensive than solid hardwoods and roughly the same as carpet. When you consider the attractiveness of engineered wood and its durability, the affordable cost makes it a clear choice.For families that need their floors to hold up to children, pets, and years of use, engineered wood flooring is ideal. It is designed to withstand the active lifestyles of modern families while simultaneously creating beautiful spaces.