Engineered

No matter what engineered hardwood flooring you buy, it will contain a top (or “wear”) layer, backed by a number of layers of plywood core material. The wear layer, which you will see and walk directly on each day is, in most engineered flooring products, generally a one-to-three millimeter-thick lamella of hardwood.

But at Vermont Plank Flooring, we insist on a five-millimeter lamella, and we mill that lamella from the same high-quality, sustainably harvested trees that produce our solid hardwood planks. This thickness and quality relate directly to the lifespan of the floor. The thicker and higher grade the wear layer, the more times the flooring has the potential for sanding and refinishing.

While refinishing a hardwood floor is not something you want to do very often (the average floor is refinished every 15-20 years), it’s nice to know that your floor has the potential for rejuvenation if it is showing a lot of wear.

With a 5-millimeter wear layer, you have the capability of performing four to six sandings and refinishings, ultimately providing for a 60- to 120-year lifespan for your floor. Thinner lamellas will allow for fewer refinishings and, as a result, will need replacement sooner.

Below the wear layer is the core. While most manufacturers utilize thin layers of plywood for the core, their products vary in how many layers, and in the quality of those layers. Anywhere from three to nine layers of plywood is the industry standard, but at Vermont Plank Flooring, we use 11 layers.

Most of our competition uses regular-grade plywood, which typically includes layers with flaws and voids. But we insist on the highest-quality cabinet-grade plywood. These solid void-free veneer layers are 1.5-millimeters thick and cross-banded, making a flatter, more balanced, and highly stable sheet.

All of these layers are glued together. Most manufacturers rely on formaldehyde-based glues, which are strong, but they off-gas potentially harmful fumes. We use only formaldehyde-free adhesives in our engineered products because we value the health of our workers and our customers.

Great flooring, whether solid hardwood or engineered, comes from healthy and fully mature trees. At Vermont Plank Flooring, we only work with sustainably-minded woodlot owners, often with FSC-certification, who patiently allow their trees to reach full maturity and select only the healthiest ones to harvest.

That domestic hardwood lumber is brought to our family-owned facility in southern Vermont and is ripped into wide-plank boards that meet the dimensional and grading specifications of an individual client.

Those ripped planks are then moved across our facility to the Wintersteiger, which is the machine that slices the thin lamellas from the thicker planks of lumber. The lamellas are then glued to the cabinet-grade plywood backing, and the newly engineered plank is then run through the molder, which cuts the precision tongue and groove along the long edges of the plank. The end-matching saw then adds the tongue and groove to the short ends of the plank.

Our engineered flooring is constructed completely in-house, with the finest equipment and the highest level of quality control. We can produce engineered planks that are end-matched up to 12” wide, and up to 16 feet long. And, we’ll apply any finish options that are available for a particular species in its solid wood version.

So, you can match the dimensions and finish of your engineered flooring to that of your solid hardwood, if you choose to utilize both in different areas of your house. Your engineered flooring can be nailed, stapled, or glued to your wood or concrete subfloor.

Wide plank engineered flooring will provide the same stunning statement in your home that solid hardwood flooring will, but with added stability and durability.

Engineered flooring performs optimally in internal environments with greater than 35% relative humidity. The NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) specifies an acceptable humidity range of 30% - 55%.

Just like solid hardwood flooring, engineered flooring prefers a stable environment, in equilibrium with temperature and humidity.

In very dry environments, where the relative humidity is below 30% for an extended period of time, the wear layer on engineered flooring can check or crack as the solid wood top layer shrinks and the plywood substrate maintains its original shape. This is not a product defect, but rather the reaction of the engineered plank structure to an overly dry environment.

Nope! Just like our solid wood flooring, our engineered wood flooring can be ordered either unfinished, to be finished onsite after installation, or prefinished.

Engineered hardwood flooring offers many benefits, but there are some potential drawbacks to consider:

• Dry Environment Sensitivity: Engineered wood flooring doesn’t perform well in very dry environments. If the relative humidity drops below 35%, the wear layer (the top layer of solid wood) may check or crack. This occurs because the wear layer tries to contract while the plywood substrate, which is more inert by design, remains relatively stable. In such conditions, solid hardwood might be a more suitable choice.
• Limited Refinishing: Beware the thin wear-layer of low-quality engineered flooring. Commodity engineered floors are typically made with a thin 1mm to 2mm wear layer. This severely limits the number of refinishes possible, and also makes the engineered flooring more susceptible to denting. Vermont Plank Flooring’s engineered flooring is milled with a full 5.2mm wear layer, which provides the same refinishing thickness as a solid ¾” plank, as well as the same durability and longevity.
• Environmental Impact: When choosing engineered wood flooring, be sure to select products from a producer committed to sustainable forestry practices. Engineered flooring, which is a composite of solid wood fixed to a plywood substrate, has more inputs than solid wood flooring (by definition), so it’s especially important to ensure responsible sourcing – not only of the timber, but also the plywood, resin or glue agent.

In all other categories, engineered wood is largely indistinguishable from solid hardwood. It offers similar beauty, durability, and ease of installation. However, its sensitivity to dry environments is a crucial factor to consider, especially in regions with low humidity.

Yes, engineered hardwood is better than vinyl plank flooring. Not all engineered floors are created equally, but generally speaking, engineered flooring is made from real wood, and vinyl flooring is completely synthetic. Engineered hardwood from Vermont Plank Flooring is always a superior choice compared to vinyl plank flooring. Here's why:

• Natural Beauty: Our engineered hardwood is crafted from real wood, providing an authentic and timeless aesthetic that vinyl plank flooring simply cannot replicate.
• Durability: Vermont Plank Flooring's engineered hardwood is renowned for its durability. The 5mm thick wear layer ensures it can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist scratches, dents, and stains.
• Refinishable: Unlike vinyl plank flooring, our engineered hardwood can be refinished multiple times, extending its lifespan and maintaining its original beauty.
• Value: While engineered hardwood may have a higher upfront cost, its durability, refinishability, and natural beauty make it a valuable investment that can increase your home's resale value.
• Environmental Friendliness: Vermont Plank Flooring is committed to sustainable forestry practices, ensuring our engineered hardwood is sourced responsibly and contributes to a healthier planet.

While vinyl plank flooring offers certain advantages, such as water resistance and affordability, it cannot match the natural beauty, durability, and long-term value of engineered hardwood from Vermont Plank Flooring.

No, engineered wood floors do not scratch easily. In fact, they are just as resistant to scratches as solid hardwood flooring. The wear layer in Vermont Plank’s engineered flooring, which is the top layer of solid wood, is a full 5mm thick – more than enough to withstand normal wear and tear for decades of heavy use.

However, it's important to note that any flooring material, including engineered hardwood, can be scratched if exposed to extremely abrasive materials or excessive force. To minimize the risk of scratches, it's recommended to use floor protectors, such as doormats and furniture pads, and avoid dragging heavy objects across the floor.

The lifespan of engineered hardwood flooring can vary significantly depending on the quality of the product. Commodity-engineered flooring, often made with thinner wear layers and lower-quality materials, may have a shorter lifespan.

However, Vermont Plank Flooring's engineered hardwood, with its 5mm wear layer, is designed to last well over 100 years. This exceptional durability is due to our commitment to using premium materials, precise manufacturing techniques, and a focus on long-term performance.

By investing in Vermont Plank Flooring's engineered hardwood, you're choosing a flooring solution that will provide beauty and value for generations to come.

Engineered flooring is not necessarily cheaper than solid hardwood.

While commodity-grade engineered flooring is almost always less expensive than solid hardwood, with high-end engineered hardwood like Vermont Plank Flooring, the price relative to solid hardwood depends on the specific wood species and grade.

Here's a breakdown:

Commodity Engineered Flooring: These products typically use lower-quality materials and thinner wear layers, making them more affordable than solid hardwood.

Vermont Plank Flooring Engineered Hardwood: Our engineered flooring is crafted with premium materials and a thick wear layer, providing durability and longevity similar to solid hardwood. The cost can vary depending on the wood species:

• Expensive Woods: For pricey species like Rift Sawn or Select Grade White Oak, Walnut, or Reclaimed materials, engineered flooring can be a more cost-effective option due to the efficiency of the manufacturing process.
• Less Expensive Woods: With less expensive timber like Eastern White Pine or Red Oak, engineered flooring is often more expensive than solid hardwood due to the additional manufacturing costs involved.

In conclusion, the relative cost of engineered hardwood versus solid hardwood depends on the specific product and wood type. Vermont Plank Flooring's engineered hardwood offers exceptional value and durability, making it a competitive option, especially for premium wood species.

Common misconceptions about engineered flooring often stem from comparisons to lower-quality products. Many people mistakenly equate engineered flooring with cheaper commodity options that have thin wear layers and inferior materials. However, high-quality engineered flooring, such as that offered by Vermont Plank Flooring, is a distinct product with significant advantages.

Here's a breakdown of how Vermont Plank Flooring's engineered flooring differs from cheaper alternatives:

• Thick Wear Layer: Our engineered flooring features a substantial 5mm wear layer, providing a durability equivalent to solid hardwood planks. This allows for multiple refinishes over the years, ensuring long-lasting beauty and value.
• Premium Materials: We use only the finest materials in our engineered flooring, including high-quality plywood cores and real wood veneers. This guarantees a superior product that will withstand the test of time.
• Precision Craftsmanship: Our flooring is meticulously crafted using advanced manufacturing techniques, ensuring consistent quality and performance.
• Environmental Responsibility: We prioritize sustainable sourcing and manufacturing practices to minimize our environmental impact.

By understanding these key distinctions, you can confidently choose engineered flooring from Vermont Plank Flooring as a durable, beautiful, and sustainable option for your home.