What Kind of Wood Flooring Is the Most Durable?
Engineered wood is more durable than solid wood when considering moisture. It resists moisture because of the way it's made, with two or more layers of wood whose grain patterns run at right angles to each other, glued together under hydraulic pressure and then topped off with veneer. Also known as a wear layer, the veneer can vary in thickness. Thinner wear layers, about 1/8 inch, have limited durability, while thicker wear layers, 1/4 inch or more, have better longevity. The thicker the layer, the more times you can sand and refinish the floor. Check with the manufacturer to determine the thickness of the wear layer. You can install engineered wood flooring below-grade, such as in a basement, where solid wood isn't a good choice because of moisture concerns.
