New wood floors can range a lot in price. A solid wood floor is a large investment, so if your budget does not allow for hardwood consider engineered floors or laminate. Once installed they can resemble a solid wood floor.
Engineered hardwood, also known as pre-finished wood flooring, consists of a razor thin sheets of wood glued together to make a plank, which is then stained most always in a polyurethane. There are a few engineered hardwoods that are thick enough to be sanded once. It is smart to check with the manufacturer to confirm before sanding, because most are not thick enough. Engineered is available in a tongue in grove base that simply snap together. This makes for extremely easy installation. I once laid it throughout my old apartment. It took a week but looked amazing. Engineered hardwood comes in widths up to 7 inches. Currently handscrapped engineered hardwood is extremely popular. While nothing can replicate the style and elegance of hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring does come close.
Do not confuse engineered flooring with laminate flooring. Laminate is a “wood-effect” flooring. Laminate is usually constructed of a sliver of hardwood pasted onto a board, such as plywood. Some of the most inexpensive laminates use an image of wood printed on paper rather than a hardwood veneer. Laminate is an ideal choice for basements. It is warp proof, which makes it perfect for a room acceptable to moisture. Plastic laminate is great for wet areas or high traffic. Now a days, laminate comes in variety of sizes, finishes, and colors.
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