Engineered hardwood flooring is made of multiple layers of multidirectional wood product, with the top layer being a hardwood veneer. The top veneer can range from 1mm thick to 4 mm thick, and overall thickness typically from 3/8” to 5/8”. The widths can range from more traditional looks of 3” and 5” wide up to a more modern 10” wide plank. The most common widths you’ll find today, however, range from 6.5-7.5” wide. Engineered woods are offered in a variety of species from Oak to Hickory, Maple, Birch, Acacia and other more exotic varieties. Engineered hardwoods can be installed on any level of your home, over both plywood and concrete subfloors. The multilayered, multidirectional design enables engineered wood to resist expansion due to additional moisture and humidity, but as a rule are not typically counted as waterproof products. There are a limited number of newer engineered woods on the market that are offered as true waterproof wood products. Beyond its resistance to moisture, engineered hardwood is not typically intended to refinish with the exception of products that have a thicker veneer (3-4 mm), which will allow it to be sanded and refinished once or twice. Engineered hardwoods generally offer more scratch resistance than solid woods, and the wearability over time is aided by the appearance of built in distressing or handscraped finishes that help minor scratches to blend into the overall appearance. For more serious damages, most engineered hardwoods can be replaced on a board by board basis, and the best outcomes are typically if the same material in the same production or dyelot is available to install. For this reason, we encourage our clients to keep additional boards on hand for future small repairs if necessary.