Most Durable Engineered Wood Floors

Considerations

• There are important factors to consider when looking into engineered wood floors. Traffic within the space is of utmost importance, as it will determine which products are most ideal. Purchase the most durable and resistant to dirt and wear for high traffic areas, including the stairs, kitchen and living room, while bedrooms and other rooms won’t have this need.

  Installation methods vary greatly, the most common of which involves gluing boards together or the snap and lock method, which is constructed using boards that lock together. Snap-and-lock boards are easier to assemble, meaning they are a better option for do-it-yourself installation.

  Cost is measured per square foot and varies greatly between products. Cost of installation, tools and materials are all part of this factor.

Brazilian Cherry

• Brazilian cherry is among the toughest, most durable woods on the flooring market today, with a Janka hardness rating of 2350. It is available as both a solid wood and as an engineered product. It is highly scratch and dent resistant, meaning it is an ideal choice for use in high traffic areas. Floors made with this wood tend to be more costly than those made with other woods, but the extended lifespan tends to make up for it. The color options vary a bit, including hues in burgundy, deep red and orange; some will even feature a bit of striping or highlighting.

Hickory

• Hickory has been used as flooring for years, and features a Janka rating of 1820. It provides a more rustic look than cherry or other woods. It is extremely resistant to wear and tear, will resist staining and has a long lifespan. The coloring ranges between a light tan and red and will fit well within most home designs and styles. As a solid wood plank, it is fairly difficult to work with and sand, a problem not present with engineered wood floors.

Additional Options

• Most woods used for solid wood flooring will also be available as an engineered product. Oak is widely used and is among the most durable woods on the market. It is available in red or white shades and will accept stain well. Knots within the wood will give a rustic look and the wood itself will withstand dents, dings, scratches and other wear and tear. Maple and mahogany are additional options, both widely used and widely available as both a solid and engineered flooring product. Maple is light in color and will stain well to fit just about any decorating style. Mahogany is extremely durable, and will resist most wear and tear, scratching and stains. It features a dark brown to red tone, with a Janka rating of 2200.