Engineered plank flooring provides a number of benefits not found in solid wood flooring. First, they are real wood from the cross layering layers of hard or soft plywood - pressing the layers together at right angles - to the surface wear layer. Engineered wood floors are more resistant to higher moisture levels so are appealing in many types of installations, and their durability as a result of their construction makes them ideal for above and below grade applications. The top layer - thicker for wear - is added in the choice of species the floor will be. This entire process enables smaller pieces of lumber to be used and produces 4X more square feet of product per tree harvested than standard wood flooring, making it eco-friendly.
Since stability is vastly improved, engineered flooring is more durable than natural wood flooring therefore can be used in harsher environments. The final coating - urethane, aluminum oxide, etc.- provides durability and scratch resistance to the wear layer. Among the methods of installation are floating, glue-down, nail-down or stapling, and click-lock, but all require the proper layer over the sub-floor. Based on the factors above, the appeal of engineered wood flooring is that same as that of solid wood, and resale values will be the same.
Like hardwood floors, engineered floors are made in widths from 3-7 inches wide and come in a wide variety of domestic and exotic hardwood species. Brand-to brand, the wear layer will differ, providing different ability for the wear layers to be sanded and refinished when worn. Thinner wear layer floors (2mil and under) have an average lifespan of 30 to 40 years while thicker (2-4 mil) wear layers last from 40 to100 years - like solid harwdood - before having to be replaced.
Your concern should be to match the demands of use for your flooring to the type of floor you select. There are hardness differences between the wood species and manufacturers use a variety of sealer products on the wear layers. If the area where the flooring is to be installed will receive heavy traffic with little maintenance, then opt for an engineered floor with a thick wear layer to enable sanding and refinishing as needed. For areas with less foot traffic and that you intent to maintain, you won't need as thick a wear layer.
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS
Their lifespan can be 30 - 100 years.
Engineered wood enables you to have a wood floor on any grade level.
Can be used on both wood subfloors or dry concrete slabs.
Some species are well suited for humid areas.
The floors are very easy to install.
They are more dimensionally stable than solid wood floors.
The availability of, sizes, colors, species and styles is nearly endless.
Wear layer dependent, they can be sanded and refinished.
It is the only floor covering that can increase the value of your home.
Wood floors are a good choice for allergy sufferers.