Your consumers want to know about the best flooring options available. Engineered wood flooring offers a mix of beauty, durability, and versatility, an enticing option for your customers who require high-quality flooring for their home or business.
Before a flooring retailer begins a conversation, it’s vital to understand how the wear layers of engineered wood perform inside and out. To help, Landmark Interiors has compiled the most common questions a customer may have about engineered wood wear layers.
What’s the Difference Between Engineered Hardwood and Solid Hardwood?
Let’s go over the basics of engineered wood flooring. Unlike solid hardwood, which is a single piece of wood, engineered wood flooring is made with a core—often plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF)—with a thinner top layer of premium hardwood veneer.
This layered design allows for enhanced stability, which in turn makes it less susceptible to moisture-induced swelling or shrinking.
What is a Good Wear Layer for Engineered Wood Flooring?
The engineered wood wear layer is essential in providing long-term durability. Generally, the wear layer is recommended to be at least 2mm, although 3mm is the most common thickness for high-quality engineered wood floors. Remember, the thicker the wear layer, the better it can protect against scratches and dents—and the better it can uphold the floor’s overall appearance.
Additionally, engineered wood plank thickness ranges from about 3/8″ to 3/4″. Thinner planks offer greater flexibility and can sometimes be installed over existing flooring. Thicker planks provide a feel closer to solid hardwood and may be preferred in high-traffic areas.
You can learn more about Landmark Interiors premium engineered hardwood flooring options through our digital Look Book.
Can I Sand and Refinish an Engineered Wood Wear Layer?
Since engineered hardwood uses a thin layer of veneer, this veneer does support sanding and finishing. However, you should always proceed with caution.
Because sanding removes a thin layer of the wear layer to refresh its appearance, we recommend only sanding and refinishing the engineered wood flooring once. Additional refinishes may cause unwanted stains, miscoloring, or damage.
How Long Does an Engineered Wood Wear Layer Last?
High-quality engineered wood floors boast ample durability, easily lasting for decades with proper care. For added assurance, Landmark Interiors offers both commercial and residential warranties on our engineered hardwood products. Thicker wear layers mean greater longevity and the option to refinish your floors for a refreshed look down the line.
Apart from wear layer thickness, regular maintenance is key to maximizing the lifespan of engineered wood floors. We recommend you sweep and vacuum regularly to remove abrasive debris, clean up spills promptly, and utilize furniture pads to avoid scratches. This ongoing care can go a long way in preserving the investment in your customers’ homes.
Bring the Best Engineered Wood Floors to Homes
Engineered wood is a popular and practical flooring solution, ideal for a multitude of projects, wants, and needs. Its resilience, versatility, and aesthetic appeal make it a worthwhile addition for many flooring selections in homes and businesses.
We hope our engineered wood wear layer FAQs will help you find ways to effectively approach curious customers. If you have any questions about our resources, or if you’re interested in becoming a Landmark Interiors retailer, contact us today.