You want the warmth and character of a real hardwood floor, but solid hardwood may not be the right fit for every home. Engineered hardwood offers a solution for Charleston’s humid climate, providing options for homes that require installation over concrete. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can give homeowners dimensional stability with a genuine hardwood veneer over a stable core.
Engineered hardwood flooring gives you the authentic look and feel of real wood that holds up better to moisture and fluctuating temperatures.
At Woodboys, we install engineered hardwood throughout Summerville, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and the surrounding Lowcountry, where humidity makes flooring choice especially important. Let’s take a look at how it’s made, how it stacks up against solid hardwood, and what it costs so you can make an educated decision with confidence.
What is Engineered Hardwood & How Is It Made?
Engineered hardwood still provides a real hardwood option for discerning homeowners. It’s real wood all the way through from top to bottom. The wear layer (the top layer of the floor that you can see) is a wood veneer, ensuring that each piece is unique—no repeating patterns here. It has an identical finish to a solid hardwood, making it just as durable as any other wood floor.
The rest of the floor is constructed of an engineered core, typically a plywood core. When wood is exposed to water, the material expands and contracts. The core provides more dimensional stability; when one layer expands, the others hold it in check and prevent excess expansion (which often leads to cupping or buckling).
While not totally foolproof for excess moisture, it does provide more peace of mind for homeowners in humid climates like Charleston.
Wear Layer Thickness
Another factor worth considering is the wear layer thickness. Rotary-peeled veneers are very thin but also very inexpensive. They are budget-friendly, but still beautiful and durable. With the right maintenance, they can definitely last. However, many homeowners are still concerned with the longevity of their floors.
When you want to ensure that your wood floors will be around for decades to come, the ability to refinish them matters. Premium engineered hardwoods have thicker wear layers ranging from 3 to 4 mm. These sandable wear layers allow you to refinish your floor, creating like-new floors again and again. Floors with these types of wear layers are more expensive but come with more options for future improvements.
Engineered vs. Solid
| Solid Hardwood | Engineered Hardwood | |
| Stability | 100% solid wood, top to bottom | Real hardwood veneer over plywood core |
| Moisture Resistance | Prone to cupping and warping in humid conditions | Offers more dimensional stability, less prone to cupping |
| Areas for Installation | Above-grade over plywood | Over concrete slabs, plywood, or particle board |
| Refinishing | 3-4 times | Depends on wear layer thickness |
| Price | Usually higher material cost | Usually lower material cost, depending on wear layer |
| Installation Method | Nail down | Nail down, glue, or floating |
Where Can Engineered Be Installed?
Installations of engineered hardwood are more flexible than those for solid hardwood. While solid woods can only be installed above-grade over plywood, engineered options can be installed on-grade or below-grade. In the Lowcountry, where many homes do not have crawl spaces, engineered wood can be installed over concrete slabs using proper adhesives or underlayment.
They can be installed in almost any room of your home: kitchens, laundry rooms, and even powder rooms. But wood will not offer any warranty when installed in full bathrooms where the moisture from showers and baths can damage even the most dimensionally stable engineered wood floor.
Is Engineered Hardwood Durable?
Engineered wood is real wood flooring and provides the same durable, factory-applied finishes as a solid prefinished hardwood. No floor is bulletproof, but these aluminum oxide finishes are scratch-resistant in most circumstances and can weather normal wear and tear in a busy home.
Durability can also be influenced by several other factors. The species of the hardwood veneer can make a difference in indentation. Softer species like American walnut will dent more easily than harder species like maple or hickory. The construction of the core also plays a role. Most cores are made of harder species (like red oak). Softer cores, while they may be cheaper, do not perform as well.
The thickness of the wear layer does also add durability as well as the ability to refinish in the future. Some floors can be refinished multiple times, extending the lifespan of an already durable product.
Installation Methods
Engineered wood floors have three possible installation methods: nail- or staple-down, glue-down, or floating. Nailing or stapling down a floor provides the same feeling and sound as a traditional solid wood floor. It is often the most cost-effective installation method if you have a plywood subfloor.
Glue-down installations also provide a very solid feel with minimal sound. The right adhesive can also act as a moisture barrier, ideal for concrete slabs that have higher moisture vapor emission rates. While this can be more expensive, it also provides comfort underfoot and gives Lowcountry homeowners peace of mind when those long summer storms roll through.
Most engineered wood floors have a tongue-and-groove construction. These can be floated using special adhesive along the tongue and groove, connecting each plank over top of a thick underlayment pad that minimizes sound transmissions. However, some are click-lock (similar to luxury vinyl plank or laminate) to make for easier DIY installation.
Cost Overview
Costs for engineered hardwood vary depending on the floor selected. Entry-level hardwoods start around the $3.50 per square foot. The price will increase depending on species (domestic species like oak are less expensive than exotics), plank width (narrower boards are less expensive), and thickness of the wear layer (sandable wear layers command premium prices).
Additional expenses include installation materials like felt paper, adhesive, and underlayment, as well as trim and new quarter round.
Installation expenses encompass the installation of the flooring and quarter round, demolition and haul-off of existing flooring, and moving appliances. Some homeowners save money on installation by doing some of the demo work themselves, but site preparation is key to a successful installation.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring FAQs
Learn more about our engineered hardwood options before setting up your free in-home consultation→
Is engineered hardwood waterproof?
No, engineered hardwood is not waterproof like luxury vinyl plank or laminate. It can tolerate spills if they are quickly cleaned, but it cannot handle standing water.
How long does engineered hardwood last?
Engineered hardwood flooring is a long-term investment. It can last decades under normal living conditions with the proper care and maintenance.
Can you refinish engineered hardwood?
Yes, engineered hardwood can be refinished if it has a 3 mm wear layer (or thicker).
Is engineered hardwood good for Charleston’s humidity?
Engineered hardwood’s plywood core gives it more dimensional stability. It is less prone to cupping and warping with exposure to normal moisture, making it ideal for Lowcountry homes in Charleston, Summerville, Mount Pleasant, and the surrounding areas.
Ready for Your Quote?
Not sure if engineered hardwood is the right fit for you? The flooring experts at Woodboys will guide you through all of the available options, helping you find the perfect floors for your Summerville, West Ashley, Goose Creek, North Charleston, or Mount Pleasant home. From our free in-home consultations to the final installation, our team makes your experience as smooth as possible.
We ensure that you get all of the materials necessary for your Lowcountry home remodel—no guesswork involved.
Reach out to us today to book your in-home appointment with our mobile showroom!