Engineered Hardwood Flooring: A Comprehensive Guide for Toronto Homeowners

The installation of engineered hardwood flooring is a critical process that can significantly impact the performance and lifespan of your floors. At Parqueteam Hardwood Flooring, we offer professional engineered hardwood flooring installation services, ensuring that your floors are installed correctly and efficiently.
There are several methods to install engineered hardwood flooring, including floating, gluing, or stapling. The choice of installation method depends on various factors such as the type of subfloor, the specific engineered hardwood product, and the conditions of your home.

A floating installation is a method where the engineered hardwood planks are not attached to the subfloor but are instead attached to each other. This method is relatively quick and easy, making it a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts.
The two options for floating install of engineered hardwood floors are: Click system and tongue and groove floating install.

Gluing is another method where the engineered hardwood planks are adhered directly to the subfloor with a strong adhesive. This method provides a solid feel underfoot and can help with sound reduction.

Nail-Down is a method where the engineered hardwood planks are attached to the subfloor using a special nailer and cleats to nail down the engineered hardwood floor.. This method is typically used when the subfloor is made of wood.

Regardless of the installation method, it's crucial to ensure that the subfloor is clean, dry, and level before installation begins. This will help to ensure a smooth and successful installation process.

The cost of installing engineered hardwood floors can vary depending on several factors, including the type of engineered hardwood product, the size of the area to be covered, and the complexity of the installation. As a general rule, you can expect to pay between $3 and $10 per square foot for materials, and between $2 and $8 per square foot for engineered hardwood flooring installation in the Toronto area.

At Parqueteam Hardwood Flooring, we strive to provide high-quality engineered hardwood flooring at competitive prices. We also offer professional installation services, ensuring that your new floors are installed correctly and efficiently.

When it comes to the installation of engineered hardwood flooring, some products are easier to install than others. Engineered hardwood floors with a click-lock system are generally the easiest to install, as they can be floated without the need for nails or glue. This makes them a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts.
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However, for the best results, it's recommended to have your engineered hardwood floors installed by a professional. At Parqueteam Hardwood Flooring, our team of experienced hardwood flooring installers can ensure a smooth and efficient installation process, providing you with beautifully installed floors that will last for years.

Another common question is whether engineered wood flooring needs underlay.
The answer is yes, but only for engineered hardwood floors that are installed via the floating installation method. In this case, underlay is typically recommended to put under the installed engineered hardwood flooring. The underlay serves several purposes:

1. Moisture Barrier: The underlay can act as a moisture barrier, protecting the engineered hardwood flooring from moisture coming up from the subfloor.
2. Sound Reduction: The underlay can help reduce the sound of footsteps and other noises.
3. Comfort: The underlay can provide a softer feel underfoot, enhancing the comfort of your engineered hardwood floors.

For engineered hardwood floors that are installed via glue down flooring, it is not required to put underlayment, though you glue cork under, and install the engineered harwdood floors via double glue down method. 
For engineered hardwood floors that installed via the nail down installtion method, an underlay is not needed.
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At Parqueteam Hardwood Flooring, we can advise you on the best type of underlay for your engineered hardwood floors, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

Like all types of hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood floors can scratch. However, the degree to which they scratch depends on several factors, including the hardness of the wood species used in the top veneer layer, the finish applied to the floors, and how the floors are used and maintained.

To prevent scratches, it's important to keep your floors clean and free of dirt and grit, which can cause scratches. Using furniture pads, maintaining a suitable indoor humidity level, and avoiding walking on the floors with high heels or sports shoes can also help prevent scratches.

If your engineered hardwood floors do get scratched, they can be sanded and refinished to restore their appearance. However, the number of times the floors can be refinished depends on the thickness of the top veneer layer.

Engineered hardwood flooring is a versatile and durable flooring option that offers the beauty of real wood with the practical benefits of man-made materials. Whether you're renovating your home or installing new floors, engineered hardwood flooring is a worthy consideration.

We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with valuable insights into engineered hardwood flooring. For more information on this and other flooring topics, be sure to check out our blog, where we regularly post articles to help you make informed decisions about your flooring needs.

At Parqueteam Hardwood Flooring, we're committed to providing high-quality flooring solutions to homeowners in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. From hardwood flooring installation to hardwood flooring restoration and refinishing, we've got you covered. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve the perfect floors for your home.

Thank you for joining us on this journey into the world of engineered hardwood flooring. We look forward to serving you and helping you create the perfect floors for your home.

Q1: What is engineered hardwood flooring?
Engineered hardwood flooring is a type of flooring that is made up of a real hardwood veneer attached to a core constructed from multiple layers of wood, all laid in different directions. This construction method makes engineered hardwood more stable than traditional solid hardwood.

Q2: How long do engineered hardwood floors last?
On average, engineered hardwood floors can last between 20 to 30 years. However, high-quality engineered hardwood floors with a thick top veneer layer can last even longer, especially if they are well maintained.

Q3: Do engineered wood floors scratch easily?
Like all types of hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood floors can scratch. However, the degree to which they scratch depends on several factors, including the hardness of the wood species used in the top veneer layer, the finish applied to the floors, and how the floors are used and maintained.

Q4: Is it better to glue or float an engineered wood floor?
The answer depends on several factors, including the type of engineered hardwood product, the conditions of your home, and your personal preferences. Floating is a method where the engineered hardwood planks are not attached to the subfloor but are instead attached to each other. Gluing involves adhering the engineered hardwood planks directly to the subfloor with a strong adhesive.

Q5: Does engineered wood flooring need underlay?
Yes, an underlay is typically recommended for engineered hardwood flooring. The underlay serves several purposes, including acting as a moisture barrier, helping with sound reduction, and providing a softer feel underfoot.

Q6: How much does it cost to install engineered hardwood floors?
The cost of installing engineered hardwood floors can vary depending on several factors, including the type of engineered hardwood product, the size of the area to be covered, and the complexity of the installation. On average, you can expect to pay between $3 and $10 per square foot for materials, and between $2 and $8 per square foot for installation.

Q7: Which is better, engineered hardwood or laminate?
Both engineered hardwood and laminate flooring have their own advantages. Engineered hardwood offers the beauty and warmth of real wood, can be refinished if it becomes worn or damaged, and can add value to your home. Laminate flooring, while resistant to scratches and stains, is generally less expensive and can mimic the look of wood. However, it cannot be refinished and must be replaced if it becomes damaged.
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Q8: What is the easiest engineered flooring to install?
Engineered hardwood floors with a click-lock system are generally the easiest to install, as they can be floated without the need for nails or glue. However, for the best results, it's recommended to have your engineered hardwood floors installed by a professional.

​Indeed we cannot be expert in all aspects of life, especially when it comes to home improvement and flooring. However, consumers have plenty of ways to gain knowledge, and prepare themselves for upcoming home projects, after all, home improvement projects require some preparation, specially when it comes to hardwood floors.
Before installing your new hardwood floors there are few things to keep in mind that will needed to be done before even starting to put the first nail in the first board.

• Furniture: If you have a lot of furniture at the install place, it is recommended to move them away as much as possible. If there are free areas, such as tiled areas, customers can easy keep their furniture there.
• Time required for project finish: Surprises happen, and no one likes them. So better be prepared just in case. Always ask installer for how long it would take, but always assume that unexpected delays can happen, so be prepared.
• Type of wood and color: once the floor is installed, there is no way back! Better take your time and think carefully about the type of wood you would like and the color that suits your needs.
• Temperature: Humidity and wood don’t like each other. Make sure the temperature at the project is good for wood floor laying! Read manufacture requirements!

 
That is it; we are ready now to install brand new hardwood flooring! Good luck!

Homeowners in Toronto lately had been shifting their preference from solid hardwood floors, to engineered hardwood flooring. Why? There are many reasons for this shift. One of the main ones is humidity and climate. As we all know, with weather changes and humidity fluctuations, solid hardwood floors tend to shrink or expand, causing gaps in between the planks. Engineered hardwood flooring is more resistible to that fact, having a wider range of possible humidity in the house/apartment, as opposed to the narrow range for solid hardwood floors.  Also, as opposed to solid wood floors, engineered hardwood floors have different ways of installation. Solid wood floors require to be nailed to a wooden sub floor. Engineered hardwood floors can be glued down, nailed down, floated, and some of them even come with a click float system.
Also, engineered hardwood floors can be installed over concrete, and in apartments and basements without having a subfloor installed before.
The introduction of engineered hardwood floor solved a lot of issues that homeowners faced with hardwood floors such as the humidity issue, high installation costs when trying to install solid floor over concrete or in apartment, and more importantly, it adds more flexibility to your budget, making sure you can afford and enjoy new wooden floors at your place!

​One of the most common problems we encounter with hardwood floors in Toronto is damages and scratches. There are many causes that can damage your hardwood floors over time. Certain areas of the home are high traffic areas; these ones usually get the biggest damages (such as entry and kitchen). Also, shiny take in mind shiny floors show more damages and scratches that exists on your floor (opposed to satin finish or wire brushed finish).
If your hardwood floor is scratched and damaged, maybe its time for a good sanding and refinishing.
One of the main benefits of having a hardwood floor is that it’s always possible to refinish the floor instead of replacing it when damages happen, or once its warn off. This process helps avoiding the costly process of removing existing floor and replacing it with a new one (unless you have 100 years old floors, then there is no point on refinishing).
The best part of this process? You can choose almost any color you want for your new stain. So not only you getting new looking floor, but also you can also change the color, as well as the finish (from shiny to less shiny for example)
Overall, refinishing hardwood floors is beneficial for both, people who damaged their floors over time, and people who tired of the color of the existing floor they have. The good news, we saved you time and money to turn around things!

​Nothing increases value of a house in Toronto area as newly installed floors. By installing solid hardwood flooring you are actually investing money and will obtain benefits and advantages of your investment in the future. Hardwood flooring perhaps is most popular choice. Hardwood flooring is highly reliable, durable and long lasting flooring material. Hardwood flooring is also poses aesthetic benefits: rich and sophisticated look.
Regardless of your residence type (condo, apartment or a house) you cannot go wrong with the solid hardwood flooring installation. Whether you own a business venue or private residence, hardwood flooring installation will immediately increase an overall value of the entire property. In addition, there is eco-friendly hardwood flooring materials available. It is a healthy choice for both pet owners and parents. If you are looking for a long term investment into your property, hardwood floors probably would be a best option. It increases the value of your residence instantly and costs are paid off quickly.

Last Month we were discussing and showing some ideas for the more popular and modern colours that are being used by home owners for their hardwood floors in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.
This month, we will share some more classical ideas for your flooring. The more natural-orange colour is still a favourite choice by home owners who like to light up their place. It is still great looking floor, and surprisingly still popular among home owners in the Greater Toronto Area.
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In the last two years, we have noticed a new trend in Toronto in regards of the flooring colour. Grey! 
Almost every client is considering to put a grey coloured floor. It became one of the most popular colours, and not only with floors, but walls and stair cases as well. Some prefer more darker tone, others would prefer the lighter one, as long as there is grey. 
Below attached few grey toned flooring pictures for some ideas for your next flooring project! Purchasing hardwood floors in Toronto, and choosing its colours, is one fun process!

​Replacing your flooring could be very time consuming and budget draining process. Luckily, laminate flooring was made to solve these problems.
Laminate flooring in Toronto became a popular trend due to its cheap cost of material, and installation cost. Also, it is very quick to install, and time is very important in  the City of Toronto.
Laminate flooring has the look of hardwood, but it is made of plastic and compressed paper, which helps reduce consumption of wood products.
Also, laminate floors are really durable, and great for concrete floors like in condos, or even basements!
Today, there are many kinds of laminate, and sadly, also bad ones that have bad chemicals mixed in their finish. Be aware when purchasing your laminate, and do your research!

Choosing an appropriate flooring type for a commercial venue might be an exhausting and time consuming process. There are many factors to consider when installing hardwood or laminate flooring at a commercial venue, such as weather the space has high traffic or low, or weather is basement level or ground floor. Also types of subfloors are important as well. Three main types of flooring a commercial space owner can consider is: Solid hardwood flooring, engineered flooring and laminated
There are also wide variety of wood types, texture, color and types of grain associated with wood species, and different pattern with laminated floors.
Perhaps the best choice for business facility owners would be an engineered hardwood flooring, one that has a hand scraped finish or wire brushed finish, if the space has high traffic.. Engineered flooring, as a product is also known for great stability due to its structure. Engineered flooring will last for decades without fading from high traffic and/or direct sunlight.
The second best option is laminate flooring due to its high resistance to any damages such as scratches and stains; it is also significantly cheaper than hardwood or engineered, which might be a good short-run investment. Laminate flooring maybe not real hardwood floor, but it has a similar look and sometimes texture as well.
Now that you equipped with some information, do not hesitate and call your local hardwood flooring installation company. 

One of the most common dilemmas many people have when looking for re do their floors is the question of hardwood flooring or laminate flooring? Which one is better?
Laminate flooring in Toronto is very popular, specially among condo owners. There are few benefits people get choosing laminate flooring.
 
Laminate flooring, in most cases, will be the cheaper option to go, in terms of installation cost and material cost. Laminate flooring materials are naturally lower than hardwood prices, and as for installation, laminate flooring today is being installed using the click system – An easy method which any person can easily and quickly install their own floor, without needing to be a professional laminate flooring installer (we still highly recommend hiring one)
 
But do not let the price to confuse you. You still get high quality floor, which looks beautiful, and has the look and grains of regular wood floor. Laminate floors are also very durable, and very good against scratches.
 
Overall, if you area a condo owner/house owner who is looking to save some money and want to refresh your floors, laminate flooring is a great option for you.
For more information, we highly encourage to visit our page about laminate floors.
http://www.hardwood-parqueteam.ca/laminate-flooring.html