Engineered wood is a durable yet inexpensive alternative to solid wood — and it’s still real wood! Engineered hardwood has actually become more common in modern homes than solid hardwood floors. Engineered wood, also known as composite wood, uses a plywood base that is resistant to moisture to decrease warping and flexing. Plywood fibers run cross-wise for extra stability compared to solid wood’s fibers which run parallel. A thin slice of hardwood lays on top of a strong plywood foundation that gives homeowners the durability they need without sacrificing the beautiful hardwood aesthetic. Engineered wood allows for wider widths and less gaping over time (both expansion & contraction).
If you’re looking to install wood floors in a space where moisture may be a factor (most commonly in a basement), choosing engineered wood is a no-brainer. Standard hardwood can be quite sensitive to both increases and decreases in moisture and can begin to warp the boards and cause extensive damage over time. Plywood is much more resistant to high and low levels of moisture and expands the “safe range” where warping will not occur.