Engineered Wood Flooring

Costs
Durability
Maintenance
Pictures

Popular Bathroom Remodeling Topics
Pros and Cons
Questions and Answers
References

When it comes to wood flooring, engineered wood is the best choice for the bathroom. It consists of several layers of unfinished plywood with a thin layer of finished wood on top. The layers are bonded together under heat and pressure, and stacked in opposite directions for strength and stability. In the bathroom, this means that engineered wood has more dimensional strength and reacts less to humidity changes. Here’s some more information to get you started.

Costs

On average, basic engineered wood flooring costs $6-$10 per square foot, mid-range styles $8-$15 per square foot, and high-end engineered wood flooring about $13-$18 per square foot. You can get quick price quotes for your project by clicking here.

Pictures

Pros

Unlike its counterparts, solid wood and laminate wood, engineered wood is the best choice for light moisture exposure in the bathroom.

Engineered wood is simple to install; it can be nailed, stapled or glued down.

Highly resistant to warping.

Cons

Engineered wood cannot be sanded down too far when heavy dents or nicks occur.

Because it is made from real wood, engineered wood is still prone to water damage from heavy splashing or frequent puddles.

Engineered wood is generally not as long-lasting as solid wood flooring.

Durability

When it comes to hardwood flooring in the bathroom, engineered hardwood is more durable than solid wood simply because it can handle small amounts of water without warping or buckling. However, it is still prone to water damage and should be dried immediately when large spills occur. But with the proper maintenance, your engineered wood can last between 30 and 40 years.

Maintenance

Engineered wood flooring is generally easy to clean—as long as it is done on a regular basis. Simply sweep or vacuum the floor with a soft bare flooring attachment, and use a soft mop afterwards. Avoid harsh chemicals, as these can strip the floor of its finish.

Common Questions and Answers

What’s the best installation method in a bathroom for engineered wood flooring?

Engineered wood flooring can be installed directly on a flat bathroom surface as a floating floor. Another way to think of floating floors is as planks attached to one another versus being attached to the subfloor. A floating floor will spare you from lugging around nails or heavy equipment, as well as the labor of sanding or finishing the engineered wood, because the top layer already comes sanded, sealed, and ready for use.

What size planks does engineered wood flooring come in?

The width of engineered wood flooring is usually between 3 and 7 inches. It also comes in a variety of thicknesses—some with only a thin layer that can’t be sanded and refinished again, and others that are 2-4 millimeters-thick that can be sanded and refinished as needed.