Engineered wood floors are built having multiple thin ply layers (usually three to seven layers cross-stacked) that are glued together. They are then laminated under extreme high pressure and heat to create a very water resilient flooring material. The inner cores are generally either a hardwood and/or soft plywood type of material. This inner core is what makes up the tongue and groove system. Plus engineered basement flooring is available in almost every type of hardwood rendition. Because engineered flooring is virtually impervious to humidity, it’s a perfect match for basement flooring application.

Engineered basement flooring can be either floated or glued down, but check with the manufacturer as to which application is suitable for their type of engineered flooring. Engineered flooring can be installed at basically any grade level and if your using it for basement flooring you can do it either with or without the subfloor, meaning you can go direct to concrete. However it is not advisible if you live in a humid environment or have a damp basement. A subfloor installation is always better in our opinion in this case before installing engineered basement flooring.

So, what are the other differences between engineered and hardwood floors when you go to look for basement flooring? Nothing really other than one is solid and the other is manufactured of strips. Other than that, they really run about the same price and visually you really can’t tell a difference. The only real difference between these basement flooring options is durability and cleaning.

One of the big advantages of having engineered basement flooring is being able to utilize the exact same flooring throughout all levels in your home. From your kitchen flooring to your washroom flooring to your basement. Also they are very easy to maintain. You can sweep them or vacuum them. Mopping is discouraged for this type of basement flooring, however one little trick that we use is Windex and a Swiffer. A couple of little squirts and then use the swiffer like a mop over the sprayed surface works wonders in our home.

Overall, engineered basement flooring is an excellent choice for those moderately humid or more tropical type climates but works just as well in sub-tropical climates. Thanks for dropping by Basement Flooring Guide and as always, if you have any questions or would like to know more on a specific basement flooring alternative, feel free to drop us a line.