Engineered Hardwood Floors for Atlanta Homes
First, let’s break down the difference between engineered hardwood and solid hardwood:
Construction
Solid hardwood is literally a piece of wood cut to fit as an interconnecting slat or tile, with a top translucent veneer for additional wear protection. Engineered hardwood has more layers than that, generally with a middle core of crosshatched plywood, a layer for padding, a surface layer with the hardwood for appearance, and a translucent veneer for additional wear protection.
Usages
Solid hardwood is the most durable choice — it simply feels more solid and stable. However, because it is a solid wood piece, it can’t be used in situations where expansion, contraction, or moisture is a concern. Engineered hardwood provides more choices and flexibility for those situations.
Repair
Solid hardwood flooring can be repaired through sanding and refinishing, so you can often keep the original pieces. Engineered hardwood pieces are typically removed and replaced, though some can actually be refinished.
Your Engineered Flooring Options
Engineered flooring comes in a variety of options depending on the traits you need for your home, as well as your project budget. There is such a thing as overkill — for example, if you don’t have pets and don’t entertain a lot, you won’t need the highest levels of durability.
Budget options:
For our customers looking for low-cost products in their pet-free home, we often start by introducing the Azalea Lane collection. Azalea Lane offers diverse hardwood collections featuring various color, finish, and plank width. This flexible range suits many style, budget, or construction requirements. We find that Azalea Lane is ideal when owners don’t have to worry about the constant impact of dog or cat nails on the veneer.
Recommended collections include Bradford Collection, Cottage Creek Collection, Hawthorn Collection, Magnolia Collection, Orchard Grove Collection, and Willow Creek Collection.
Pet-free homes with greater selection:
For customers seeking even more diverse options in look, size, and feel, we recommend the Palmetto Road collection. Palmetto Road has the flooring industry’s widest selections of hardwood collections; their products are perfect for pet-free homes that need a very specific color or fit.
Recommended collections include Lorem Riviera, Distressed Hickory, Chalmers, Highlands Park, Monet, Mountain Ridge, Lake Ridge, and River Ridge.
Repairable engineered flooring:
Some engineered flooring offers a higher level of durability, and that means being able to repair some planks thanks to their thicker veneer. Manufacturers with this capability include Bruce and Armstrong. Please note that this isn’t possible in every situation, and usually needs to be only considered when the damage is light.
Recommended collections include Springdale, Turlington, and Brushed Impressions (Bruce); and Appalachian Ridge and American Scrape (Armstrong).
Durable high-end products:
The highest end engineered flooring products work great in any home, even with pets or high-traffic conditions. These products can be sanded, stained, and finished to match any taste or decor, allowing for ultimate flexibility in your remodeling or construction situation.
Recommended collections include Mullican Unfinished, Howell Unfinished, and some lines from the Palmetto Road collection.
Discover the Right Flooring Fit for Your Atlanta Home
Unsure which of these options is right for your Atlanta-area home? We invite you to get in touch with us. Our showroom has a wide range of viewable samples; come by and tell us exactly what you need in terms of budget, function, and fit, and we’ll find the best flooring solutions for your home or business.
