If you have an eye for hardwood, but are worried about seasonal humidity, engineered hardwood could be the perfect choice. It's a durable flooring that gives your southwest Kansas City home the warmth of wood and the practicality of modern design.
We'll cover what engineered hardwood is, how it compares to popular wood-look floorings, and why it’s a great choice for Kansas City homes.
If you’re ready to see samples, feel textures, and find your favorite finish from the comfort of home, our team at Floor Coverings International® of Metro Southeast Kansas City, MO, offers personalized in-home consultations, where we bring all the options to you.
Schedule An In-Home Consultation
What is Engineered Hardwood?
Is engineered hardwood flooring real wood? Absolutely! With a genuine hardwood surface layer, engineered wood offers the character and texture of real wood, and it improves stability and moisture resistance by bonding to a sturdy plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) core. It’s a practical choice for Kansas City homes that deal with seasonal temperature and humidity changes.
How It Compares to Solid Wood Flooring
While both solid wood and engineered wood bring the rich character of real wood floors, they do have some differences.
Unlike solid wood, engineered hardwood has a modern design with a strong, layered core that expands and contracts with moisture changes without warping or buckling the floors. Is engineered hardwood flooring waterproof? No, it’s still susceptible to water damage, but the layered design significantly reduces damage from humidity.
It also uses convenient click-lock installation, which allows the floors to be installed over concrete or wood subfloors.
How It Compares to Faux Wood Floors
Because engineered wood is more affordable and is a practical fit for more homes than traditional wood flooring, it’s sometimes grouped with faux wood floors, like laminate and luxury vinyl.
However, engineered hardwood is very different from both. Its wear layer is real hardwood, while both vinyl and laminate have an image layer protected by resin. And because it’s made with real wood, engineered wood flooring costs more than imitation wood-look options.
Why Engineered Wood Works Well in Southeast Kansas City Homes
Kansas City’s mix of hot, humid days and cold, dry spells can be tough on solid hardwood. That's why so many homeowners have started opting for engineered wood flooring. It's strong, layered core keeps planks stable as the seasons change, while the real wood surface brings classic character to the space.
Here's what makes engineered hardwood a practical choice:
- It's built for midwestern winters. Engineered hardwood handles humidity changes from humid summers to dry winters. The layered core makes it less prone to expansion than solid wood, keeping your floors smooth and secure.
- You get the real look and feel of hardwood. Since the top layer is real hardwood, it captures the intricate grain, texture, and rich wood tone that Southeast Kansas City homeowners love. You can choose the wood species, wood tone, and finish, just like you would for traditional wood floors. You can even have the floors finished onsite with a custom stain.
- It has flexible installation options. Thanks to its stable core, engineered hardwood can be installed over a concrete or wood subfloor, which makes it ideal for basements, remodels, and multi-level homes.
- It brings durability and longevity. How long does engineered hardwood last? Most last for 20 to 30 years, though the exact age depends on the thickness of the wear layer. Wear layer thicknesses between 3-4mm can be refinished a few times for the floors to look fresh for a few more years.
- It adds home value. Like solid hardwood, engineered wood flooring is also a long-term investment that improves the market value of your home.
Ready for Beautiful, Stable Wood Floors?
Engineered hardwood gives Kansas City homeowners the authentic beauty of real wood with the strength and stability needed for our changing seasons. Thanks to its layered core, real hardwood surface, and flexible installation, it’s a practical and long-lasting upgrade for any home.
By choosing a local team to install your new floors, you can expect personalized care and expertise. Our Kansas City team knows how Missouri’s weather impacts flooring choices, so we help you select materials that function smoothly in humid summers and dry winters. Floor Coverings International® of Metro Southeast Kansas City, MO, makes renovating your floors simple with in-home consultations, expert installation, and a focus on craftsmanship and communication.
Ready to find your floor with guidance from trusted Kansas City flooring experts? Call us at (816) 441-4133 or schedule a free in-home consultation today.
